Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative evaluation of renal parenchymal perfusion using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in dogs

This study evaluated whether renal perfusion changes can be noninvasively estimated by using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury and investigated the correlation between renal perfusion measured by CEUS and necrosis and apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. In six dogs with experimentally induced renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, changes in time to peak intensity, peak intensity, and area under the curve were measured on CEUS. Peak intensity and area under the curve of the renal cortex began to decrease on day 1 (about 20% lower than baseline) and reached the lowest levels (about 50% of baseline) on day 4. They then gradually increased until day 10, at which time peak intensity was about 87% and area under the curve was about 95% of baseline; neither fully recovered. Both parameters were strongly correlated with the necrosis scores on histopathologic examination on day 4 (r = −0.810 of peak intensity and r = −0.886 of area under the curve). CEUS allowed quantitative evaluation of perfusion changes in acute renal ischemia-reperfusion injury, and CEUS results were correlated with renal tubular damage on histopathologic examination. Thus, CEUS could be a noninvasive, quantitative diagnostic method for determining progress of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Capacity Constraints in the Hedge Fund Industry Revisited

I investigate the determinants of fund-of-hedge-fund performance under considerations of capacity constraints. The returns of 931 funds-of-hedge-funds are evaluated over two year periods from 1994 to 2006 by an augmented Fung and Hsieh (2004) 7-factor model. A sort on past size and percentage flows reveals that, for small and medium-sized funds, the negative flow-performance relationship is only observed in early years. Moderating the effect of flows by size in a regression framework shows that large funds suffer significantly more from inflows than smaller funds. There is some evidence that this is mostly applicable to funds that do not add value (have-alpha funds). The findings indicate that funds of all sizes face absorptive capacity constraints (i.e. incorporating new capital without loosing performance), but this is more emphasized for large funds, implying also the existence of an optimal size.
Awareness and Motivation in Collaborative Practice for Disaster Management

v CHAPTER 1: Introduction . 1 1.1 Background . 1 1.2 Research Questions and Objectives . 3 1.3 Thesis Outline . 5 CHAPTER 2: Literature Review . 6 Table 1. Example of searches . 6 2.1 Disaster Resilience . 7 2.2 Awareness . 8 2.3 Collaboration . 10 2.4 Asset Mapping . 12 2.5 Self-Determination Theory . 13 2.6 Summary of literature review . 15 Table 2. Literature Gaps . 16 CHAPTER 3: Methodology . 17 3.1 Interviews from EnRiCH case study . 17 3.2 Intervention Protocol . 17 3.3 Data Sources . 19 3.4 Secondary Analysis & Coding Validation . 21 Figure 2: Identification of Emergent Themes . 22 3.5 Conceptual Framework . 22 Figure 1: The ED Model of Awareness-Kuziemsky & O’Sullivan (under review) . 23 CHAPTER 4: Results . 26 4.1 Emergent Themes . 26 4.2 Themes identifying early motivation driving the individual toward collaborative action28 AWARENESS and MOTIVATION IN COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT iii 1 Awareness influenced the underlying psychological needs of competence and relatedness to encourage autonomous motivation for collaboration . 29 2 Awareness of group assets and needs is necessary to ensure collaborative activities are accessible to all participants . 31 4.3 Themes identifying motivation toward maintaining meso level collaboration . 32 3 Awareness initially disrupts disaster competence then reinforces it longitudinally . 33 4 – Perceptions of competence influenced collaborative engagement . 35 5 Group awareness contributes to relatedness, which is a foundational element for collaboration . 38 6 Leadership emerged as a key ingredient in fostering awareness . 39 4.4 Themes identifying motivation influencing awareness translation to the macro level . 40 7 Awareness prompted participants to share information with others . 41 8 New awareness improved community resilience . 42 4.5 Different types of competence . 44 4.6 Research questions and emergent themes . 44 4.7 Collaboration Facilitators and Barriers . 45 4.8 The ED Model of Awareness and Action . 45 Figure 4: The ED Model of Awareness and Action . 46 From individual micro-level awareness to collaborative action and meso-level awareness . 47 Maintenance of collaboration through awareness gained at the meso-level . 47 Knowledge translation from meso level awareness to macro-level awareness . 48 CHAPTER 5: Discussion . 49 Table 3. Addressed Literature Gaps . 54 5.1 Other Models of Motivation . 55 5.2 Limitations . 56
Insulin and hyperaminoacidemia regulate by a different mechanism leucine turnover and oxidation in obesity.

Seven normal glucose-tolerant obese subjects [ideal body weight (IBW) = 161%] and 18 controls (IBW = 102%) were studied with the euglycemic insulin clamp (10 and 40 mU.m-2.min-1) technique, [14C]leucine infusion, and indirect calorimetry to examine if the insulin resistance with respect to glucose metabolism extends to amino acid/protein metabolism. In the basal state, total plasma amino acid and leucine concentrations, endogenous leucine flux (ELF), leucine oxidation (LO), and nonoxidative leucine disposal (NOLD) were similar in obese and control subjects. During both low (10 mU.m-2.min-1)- and higher (40 mU.m-2.min-1)-dose insulin clamp studies, insulin-mediated glucose uptake was reduced in obese vs. control subjects (P < 0.01). During the last hour of the higher-dose insulin clamp step, the decrease in total plasma amino acids, branched-chain amino acids, and leucine concentration was impaired in obese vs. control subjects (P < 0.01). However, suppression of ELF and NOLD was similar in both groups. During the low-dose insulin clamp, the decrease in plasma leucine concentration, LO, and ELF all were impaired (P < 0.01). A second study was performed in which the total plasma amino acid concentration was increased two- to threefold in both groups. Under these conditions of low plasma insulin/high amino acid levels, LO and NOLD increased similarly in obese and control subjects. In conclusion, insulin resistance is a common feature of both glucose and protein metabolism in obesity. The defect in protein metabolism is characterized by an impairment of the ability of insulin to inhibit proteolysis; the stimulatory effect of hyperaminoacidemia on protein synthesis is intact in obesity.
Encoding DCC in Haskell

The seminal work on the Dependency Core Calculus (DCC) shows how monads not only can be used for embedding effects in purely functional languages but also to statically track data dependencies. Such types of analysis have applications in research areas like security, partial evaluation, and slicing, where DCC plays the role of a unifying formalism. For a Haskell programmer, putting DCC into practice raises many interesting conceptual and implementation concerns. Specifically, DCC uses a non-standard bind operator, i.e., with a different type signature than that provided by monads. In fact, embedding such non-standard bind operator opens the door for many design decisions. Furthermore, it is unclear if DCC extends to traditional methods used by Haskell programmers to handle effects (such as monad transformers). In this work, we describe a novel encoding of DCC in Haskell, with a focus on its use for security-although our results also apply to the other domains. We address the concerns mentioned above and show how our implementation of DCC can be seen as a direct translation from its typing rules via the use of closed type families and type classes-two advanced type-system features of Haskell. We also analyze what kind of effects DCC is compatible with and which ones it cannot secure. We also derive an alternative formulation of DCC based on fmap and a corresponding non-standard join.
Multiple Stakeholder Management and Corporate Reputation in South Africa

Abstract This article investigates senior managers’ perceptions of stakeholders and the importance of multiple stakeholder management in the world’s second largest beer producer. There are unique issues in this industry as they produce products that cause chronic harm to society if misused. A qualitative research design was employed. We interviewed senior executives to establish their awareness levels and importance of different stakeholder groups that influence the operations of that organization. The corporate identity, corporate reputation, and stakeholder theory literatures are reviewed as they inform this study. Our findings showed that a number of senior managers did not understand the concept of stakeholder theory and they failed to identify some important stakeholder groups. Implications for managers in all organizations are discussed and recommendations are made.
252 C : Camera Stabilization for the Masses

As the usage of handheld digital camcorders increase amongst the general population, the problem of undesired motions being introduced into captured video sequences will become ever more prevalent. Even the slightest movements on the part of the user will introduce these undesired motions, and unfortunately users will find it difficult to remain absolutely stable for any amount of time. These undesired motions detract from the intended subject of the video sequence, and may potentially ruin the entire video sequence. Undoubtedly, the user will want these types motions removed while preserving desired motions. Luckily, the camcorder’s digital format lends itself very nicely to a post-processing corrective step to remove such undesired motions.
A 320-Kilobase Artificial Chromosome Encoding the Human HLA DR3-DQ2 MHC Haplotype Confers HLA Restriction in Transgenic Mice1

MHC class II haplotypes control the specificity of Th immune responses and susceptibility to many autoimmune diseases. Understanding the role of HLA class II haplotypes in immunity is hampered by the lack of animal models expressing these genes as authentic cis-haplotypes. In this study we describe transgenic expression of the autoimmune prone HLA DR3-DQ2 haplotype from a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) containing an intact ∼320-kb region from HLA DRA to DQB2. In YAC-transgenic mice HLA DR and DQ gene products were expressed on B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, but not on T cells indicating cell-specific regulation. Positive selection of the CD4 compartment by human class II molecules was 67% efficient in YAC-homozygous mice lacking endogenous class II molecules (Aβnull/null) and expressing only murine CD4. A broad range of TCR Vβ families was used in the peripheral T cell repertoire, which was also purged of Vβ5-, Vβ11-, and Vβ12-bearing T cells by endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus-encoded superantigens. Expression of the HLA DR3-DQ2 haplotype on the Aβnull/null background was associated with normal CD8-dependent clearance of virus from influenza-infected mice and development of CD4-dependent protection from otherwise lethal infection with Salmonella typhimurium. HLA DR- and DQ-restricted T cell responses were also elicited following immunization with known T cell determinants presented by these molecules. These findings demonstrate the potential for human MHC class II haplotypes to function efficiently in transgenic mice and should provide valuable tools for developing humanized models of MHC-associated autoimmune diseases.
A Longitudinal Investigation of Depressive Symptoms in Undergraduate Students of Pharmacy in Syria

Abstract This prospective longitudinal study investigated depressive symptoms and its association with students’ demographic, academic, and health factors in undergraduate students of pharmacy in Syria. Students attending any year (1st to 5th year) were assessed in the first semester (time 1) and in the second semester (time 2). An academic year comprises two semesters of 16 weeks each. Data for 450 students were analyzed at time 1, and 262 students were assessed at the two time points. Our results showed that most of the students experienced depressive symptoms, with a substantial percentage presenting moderate to severe levels of symptoms (35% or 450 students at time 1; 23% or 262 students at time 2). Across the two semesters, a significant decrease in depressive symptoms was observed for students with complete data at the two time points. Depressive symptoms at time 2 increased significantly with increasing depressive scores at time 1 and decreasing students’ expectations about their academic performance. Our results support the clear need for dynamic, full-time, and accessible psychological services at the university to promote and assess mental health and to deliver psychological interventions to students at need.
An anticipation mechanism for the shortest path problem based on Physarum polycephalum

In this paper, we put forward an anticipation mechanism for the existing Physarum-inspired shortest path finding method. The Physarum-based shortest path finding model can be implemented by an iterative algorithm and has wide applications in many fundamental network optimization problems. In this paper, we mainly focus on the Physarum-inspired shortest path tree model. Normally, we stop the program when the difference between two consecutive iterations is less than a predefined threshold. However, we do not know how to set the specific value for the threshold variable. In order to find out the optimal solution, we need to set the threshold as a very small number. This in turn will consume a lot of time. From this point of view, this algorithm lacks an efficient and reliable mechanism to judge when the optimal solution will be found. In this paper, we introduce an anticipation mechanism to address this issue. Numerical examples are used to demonstrate its reliability and efficiency.
A ketogenic diet increases brown adipose tissue mitochondrial proteins and UCP1 levels in mice

We evaluated the effects of feeding a ketogenic diet (KD) for a month on general physiology with emphasis on brown adipose tissue (BAT) in mice. KD did not reduce the caloric intake, or weight or lipid content of BAT. Relative epididymal fat pads were 40% greater in the mice fed the KD (P = 0.06) while leptin was lower (P < 0.05). Blood glucose levels were 30% lower while D‐β‐hydroxybutyrate levels were about 3.5‐fold higher in the KD group. Plasma insulin and leptin levels in the KD group were about half of that of the mice fed NIH‐31 pellets (chow group). Median mitochondrial size in the interscapular BAT (IBAT) of the KD group was about 60% greater, whereas the median lipid droplet size was about half of that in the chow group. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation proteins were increased (1.5–3‐fold) and the uncoupling protein 1 levels were increased by threefold in mice fed the KD. The levels of PPARγ, PGC‐1α, and Sirt1 in KD group were 1.5–3‐fold while level of Sirt3 was about half of that in the chow‐fed group. IBAT cyclic AMP levels were 60% higher in the KD group and cAMP response element binding protein was 2.5‐fold higher, suggesting increased sympathetic system activity. These results demonstrate that a KD can also increase BAT mitochondrial size and protein levels. © 2012 IUBMB Life, 65(1):58–66, 2013
Recommending Alternative Scenarios Using Use Case Patterns

An alternative scenario in use case specification indicates abnormal or less frequent behaviors in a software system. It has an influence on not only customer's satisfaction but also software quality. However, alternative scenarios are frequently missed because of the author's mistake or lack of experiences. In order to tackle this issue, this paper proposes a use case pattern based approach to recommending alternative scenarios. We adopt six essential use case patterns and extend them to identify the pattern type from ordinary natural language based scenario. We propose four-step approach using the word similarity tech- nique to find out the use case patterns of the basic scenarios.
An accurate MAC delay model for IEEE 802.11 DCF

Models is an important tool to analyze WLAN's (Wireless Local Area Network) performance. There are two faultinesses in the current analytical models for the MAC delay in DCF (Distributed Coordination Function), so these models are not accurate. This paper proposes an accurate model to analyze the MAC delay for DCF, which considers the backoff counter decreasing time and the packet without waiting's MAC delay. The analytical results indicate that the proposed model is more accurate than the current models.
Interface Engineering of PCM for Improved Synaptic Performance in Neuromorphic Systems

In this work, we will focus on the use of Phase Change Memory (PCM) to emulate synaptic behavior in emerging neuromorphic system-architectures. In particular, we will originally show that the performance and energy-efficiency of large scale neuromorphic systems can be improved by engineering individual PCM devices used as synapses. This is obtained by adding a thin HfO2 interface layer to standard GST PCM devices, allowing for the lowering of the Set/Reset currents and the increase of the number of intermediate resistance states (or synaptic weights) in the synaptic potentiation characteristics. The experimentally obtained potentiation characteristics of such PCM devices are used to simulate a 2-layer ultra-dense spiking neural network (SNN) and to perform a complex visual pattern extraction from a test case based on real world data (i.e. cars passing on a 6-lane freeway). The total power dissipated in the learning mode, for the pattern extraction experiment is estimated to be as low as 60μW. Average detection rate of cars is found to be greater than 90%.
The rs1550117 A>G variant in DNMT3A gene promoter significantly increases non-small cell lung cancer susceptibility in a Han Chinese population

In this study, we conducted a case-control study to explore the association between rs1550117 A>G variant of DNMT3A gene promoter and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) susceptibility in a Han Chinese population. The genotyping of rs1550117 A>G variant was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and confirmed by sequencing. Allele G of rs1550117 was associated with an increased risk of NSCLC. Moreover, individuals carrying the GG genotypes had a higher risk to develop NSCLC than the AA and GA genotype carriers. Further stratified analysis showed that rs1550117 A>G was significantly related to age (> 60 years), male, smoking and drinking. In vivo detection of DNMT3A mRNA levels in NSCLC tissues and in vitro luciferase assays consistently showed that the allele G significantly decreased DNMT3A transcription. Additional functional analysis revealed that the increased binding affinity of transcription repressor SP1, which was associated with allele G of rs1550117, led to the significant decreased expression of DNMT3A. Collectively, our results propose a suppression role of DNMT3A in NSCLC development and emphasize the dual roles of DNMT3A in tumorigenesis.
RFID-based Indoor Antenna Localization System using Passive Tag and Variable RF-Attenuation

We have developed a new method of RFID system for localizing robot which configures reader(antenna). Although the prime application of RFID uses to replace barcode, it provides another choice for location. There are many papers discuss about how to locate RFID tags already. In this paper we utilize RFID system reversely to locate RFID reader(antenna) by passive tags. We arrange tags in fixed position in the environment for reference. Then we acquire information to calculate position of reader(antenna) by rotating antenna. By cooperating with variable RF-attenuation, we can improve accuracy of estimated position. It is expected that RFID tags will drastically reduce the cost in the future, the system can effectively and economically locate position of robot comparing with other localization systems. This system can let mobile robot accurately locate itself.
Genetic Polymorphisms in 15q25 and 19q13 Loci, Cotinine Levels, and Risk of Lung Cancer in EPIC

Backgrounds: Multiple polymorphisms affecting smoking behavior have been identified through genome-wide association studies. Circulating levels of the nicotine metabolite cotinine is a marker of recent smoking exposure. Hence, genetic variants influencing smoking behavior are expected to be associated with cotinine levels. Methods: We conducted an analysis in a lung cancer case–control study nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. We investigated the effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) previously associated with smoking behavior on (i) circulating cotinine and (ii) lung cancer risk. A total of 894 cases and 1,805 controls were analyzed for cotinine and genotyped for 10 polymorphisms on 7p14, 8p11, 10q23, 15q25, and 19q13. Results: Two variants in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit genes CHRNA5 and CHRNA3 on 15q25, rs16969968 and rs578776, were associated with cotinine (P = 0.001 and 0.03, respectively) in current smokers and with lung cancer risk (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Two 19q13 variants, rs7937 and rs4105144, were associated with increased cotinine (P = 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively) but decreased lung cancer risk (P = 0.01 for both, after adjusting for cotinine). Variants in 7p14, 8p11, and 10q23 were not associated with cotinine or lung cancer risk. Conclusions: 15q25 and 19q13 SNPs were associated with circulating cotinine. The directions of association for 15q25 variants with cotinine were in accordance with that expected of lung cancer risk, whereas SNPs on 19q13 displayed contrasting associations of cotinine and lung cancer that require further investigation. Impact: This study is the largest to date investigating the effects of polymorphisms affecting smoking behavior on lung cancer risk using circulating cotinine measures as proxies for recent smoking behavior. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(10); 2250–61. ©2011 AACR.
Real-space formulation of orbital-free density functional theory using finite-element discretization: The case for Al, Mg, and Al-Mg intermetallics

We propose a local real-space formulation for orbital-free DFT with density dependent kinetic energy functionals and a unified variational framework for computing the configurational forces associated with geometry optimization of both internal atomic positions as well as the cell geometry. The proposed real-space formulation, which involves a reformulation of the extended interactions in electrostatic and kinetic energy functionals as local variational problems in auxiliary potential fields, also readily extends to all-electron orbital-free DFT calculations that are employed in warm dense matter calculations. We use the local real-space formulation in conjunction with higher-order finite-element discretization to demonstrate the accuracy of orbital-free DFT and the proposed formalism for the Al-Mg materials system, where we obtain good agreement with Kohn-Sham DFT calculations on a wide range of properties and benchmark calculations. Finally, we investigate the cell-size effects in the electronic structure of point defects, in particular a mono-vacancy in Al. We unambiguously demonstrate that the cell-size effects observed from vacancy formation energies computed using periodic boundary conditions underestimate the extent of the electronic structure perturbations created by the defect. On the contrary, the bulk Dirichlet boundary conditions, accessible only through the proposed real-space formulation, which correspond to an isolated defect embedded in the bulk, show cell-size effects in the defect formation energy that are commensurate with the perturbations in the electronic structure. Our studies suggest that even for a simple defect like a vacancy in Al, we require cell-sizes of $\sim 10^3$ atoms for convergence in the electronic structure.