Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Explorations in design space: unconventional electronics design through artificial evolution

Three hypotheses are formulated. First, in the "design space" of possible electronic circuits, conventional design methods work within constrained regions, never considering most of the whole. Second, evolutionary algorithms can explore some of the regions beyond the scope of contentional methods, raising the possibility that better designs can be found. Third, evolutionary algorithms can in practice produce designs that are beyond the scope of conventional methods, and that are in some sense better. A reconfigurable hardware controller for a robot is evolved, using a conventional architecture with and without orthodox design constraints. In the unconstrained case, evolution exploited the enhanced capabilities of the hardware. A tone discriminator circuit is evolved on an FPGA without constraints, resulting in a structure and dynamics that are foreign to conventional design and analysis. The first two hypotheses are true. Evolution can explore the forms and processes that are natural to the electronic medium, and nonbehavioral requirements can be integrated into this design process, such as fault tolerance. A strategy to evolve circuit robustness tailored to the task, the circuit, and the medium, is presented. Hardware and software tools enabling research progress are discussed. The third hypothesis is a good working one: practically useful but radically unconventional evolved circuits are in sight.
Area-efficient linear regulator with ultra-fast load regulation

We demonstrate a fully integrated linear regulator for multisupply voltage microprocessors implemented in a 90 nm CMOS technology. Ultra-fast single-stage load regulation achieves a 0.54-ns response time at 94% current efficiency. For a 1.2-V input voltage and 0.9-V output voltage the regulator enables a 90 mV/sub P-P/ output droop for a 100-mA load step with only a small on-chip decoupling capacitor of 0.6 nF. By using a PMOS pull-up transistor in the output stage we achieved a small regulator area of 0.008 mm/sup 2/ and a minimum dropout voltage of 0.2 V for 100 mA of output current. The area for the 0.6-nF MOS capacitor is 0.090 mm/sup 2/.
MR imaging of mouse lung using hyperpolarized 3He: image acquisition and T1 estimation under spontaneous respiration.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to acquire a hyperpolarized (HP) (3)He image of the mouse lung and to estimate 3He T1 in the lung from wash-out curve analysis under spontaneous respiration. MATERIALS AND METHODS We first tested the K-Rb hybrid method for the spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) of 3He using a home-built noble gas polarizer operated at atmospheric pressure and then applied it to MR imaging and spectroscopy of the mouse lung. The longitudinal relaxation time (T1) of 3He in the mouse lung was estimated under spontaneous respiration by exploiting a novel method in which SF6 gas at thermal equilibrium was utilized in combination with the HP 3He gas in the quantitative wash-out curve analysis. This method utilizes the difference in the profile of the wash-out curve of HP 3He and SF6 at thermal equilibrium. That is, the slope of the 3He wash-out curve in the semi-logarithmic plots is affected by 3 factors, including RF pulse angle, respiration, and T1, whereas the slope of the SF6 wash-out curve is only the function of respiratory term. RESULTS A 3He lung image was obtained successfully, and we were able to estimate successfully 3He T1 in the mouse lung under spontaneous respiration using a novel method; the estimated T1 value was 68+/-25 s, which was reasonable compared with the value calculated from the literature data measured during breath-hold. CONCLUSION We succeeded in acquiring the first 3He image of mouse lung in vivo in this country, and our proposed method of estimating 3He T1 in the lung under spontaneous respiration is noninvasive and readily applied to animals and would be useful to evaluate the alveolar gas exchange function as well as oxygen partial pressure (pO2) in lungs of animals.
Optimization of Microencapsulation Process for Self-Healing Polymeric Material

A series of poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) microcapsules filled with dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) was successfully prepared by in situ polymerization. The effect of diverse process parameters and ingredients on the morphology of the microcapsules was observed by SEM, optical microscopy (OM) and digital microscopy. Different techniques for the characterization of the chemical structure and the core content were considered such as FT-IR and (1)H-NMR as well as the characterization of thermal properties by DSC. High yields of free flowing powder of spherical microcapsules were produced. The synthesized microcapsules can be incorporated into another polymeric host material. In the event the host material cracks due to excessive stress or strong impact, the microcapsules would rupture to release the DCPD, which could polymerize to repair the crack.
A Point Mutation in the IL-12Rβ2 Gene Underlies the IL-12 Unresponsiveness of Lps-Defective C57BL/10ScCr Mice1

Lps-defective C57BL/10ScCr (Cr) mice are homozygous for a deletion encompassing Toll-like receptor 4 that makes them refractory to the biological activity of LPS. In addition, these mice exhibit an inherited IL-12 unresponsiveness resulting in impaired IFN-γ responses to different microorganisms. By positional cloning methods, we show here that this second defect of Cr mice is due to a mutation in a single gene located on mouse chromosome 6, in close proximity to the Igκ locus. The gene is IL-12Rβ2. Cr mice carry a point mutation creating a stop codon that is predicted to cause premature termination of the translated IL-12Rβ2 after a lysine residue at position 777. The truncated β2 chain can still form a heterodimeric IL-12R that allows phosphorylation of Janus kinase 2, but, unlike the wild-type IL-12R, can no longer mediate phosphorylation of STAT4. Because the phosphorylation of STAT4 is a prerequisite for the IL-12-mediated induction of IFN-γ, its absence in Cr mice is responsible for their defective IFN-γ response to microorganisms.
THE MEDIATING ROLE OF GREEN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE BETWEEN SUSTAINABILITY AND GREEN INNOVATION: A RESEARCH IN TURKISH COMPANIES

This study aims to examine Turkish companies from a sustainability and green innovation point of view. Through this purpose, this research’s objective is to find out relationship between sustainability drivers and green innovation and also to search for green organizational culture’s mediation effect in this relationship. Survey was carried in companies operating in Turkey which were listed among Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ICI) Top 500 companies for last 3 years successively and have ISO14001 Environmental Management Certificate. According to the survey results, it was manifested that factors directing companies to sustainability having a positive relationship with green organizational culture and green innovation. It is found that there is a partial mediation effect of green organizational culture between sustainability drivers and green innovation.
New methodology to evaluate the performance of ring resonators using optical low-coherence reflectometry

This paper describes the efficient implementation of optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR) measurements to evaluate the performance of InP-based high-index contrast ring resonators. Using examples of racetrack ring resonators, this paper shows here for the first time that all characteristic parameters relevant to resonator design (coupling coefficient k, propagation losses a, and optical cavity length L), and ultimately its performance, can be extracted in a straightforward manner. This is accomplished by introducing a new methodology that implicates OLCR measurements in transmission and also reflection modes as an alternative approach, in comparison with conventional spectral analysis, to extract resonator design parameters.
The Influence of Sodium Bisulphite on Acid Production in Saliva

The rdle of acids in tooth decalcification (1) is now generally accepted. As a result recent attempts at dental caries control have been in the direction of decreasing the rate of acid formation in the mouth, and/or increasing the rate of acid neutralization in regions associated with the caries susceptible portions of the teeth (2). Since the latter has been considered difficult to achieve, methods and means of decreasing the rate of acid formation in the mouth have been the aim of most of the recent investigations in this field. Controlled diet, oral hygiene, and interference with the enzyme or coenzyme systems necessary for carbohydrate degradation have each presented distinct possibilities. Chemical inhibitors of enzyme systems has been studied by Stephan (3) using urea, Zander (4) using ammoniacal silver nitrate, Dean, Jay, Arnold, and Elvove (5) using the fluoride ion, and most recently Burrill, Calandra, Tilden, and Fosdick (6) using synthetic vitamin K. These investigators have all succeeded in reducing significantly the rate of acid formation in the saliva. The work of Burrill, Calandra, Tilden, and Fosdick (6) was particularly interesting because a 2-methyl 1,4-napthoquinone-sodium bisulphite addition compound was employed. The results were attributed to the quinone which was regarded by these investigators as the active ingredient, the sodium bisulphite being used for the purpose of rendering the 2-methyl 1,4-napthoquinone water soluble so it would be more rapidly absorbed (7). Sodium bisulphite, however, has had some use in medicine as an antiseptic and an antifermentation agent (8). The possible effect of sodium bisulphite on the results obtained by Burrill, Calandra, Tilden, and Fosdick stimulated investigation in regard to the action of this salt on the process of acid production in saliva. Since Burrill and his associates used less than 0.75 mg. sodium bisulphite in their study with 2-methyl 1,4-napthoquinone (6), a series of preliminary tests were made using varying concentrations of sodium bisulphite. It was found that values ranging from 2.5 mg. to 10 mg. showed a definite interference with the acid formation, the most efficient concentration ranging from
Surfing interconnect

We present a novel approach to long-wire signalling. We use the traditional division of long wires into buffered segments, but the delay of each buffer is modulated by signals derived from a timing chain. This creates a circuit element whose timing behaviour is between that of an inverter and that of a latch. We call these "soft latches". We demonstrate the advantages of our approach by comparing it with synchronous and asynchronous interconnect pipelining. We present results from HSPICE simulations to evaluate the robustness of our circuits
TREC GENOMICS Track Overview

The first year of TREC Genomics Track featured two tasks: ad hoc retrieval and information extraction. Both tasks centered around the Gene Reference into Function (GeneRIF) resource of the National Library of Medicine, which was used as both pseudorelevance judgments for ad hoc document retrieval as well as target text for information extraction. The track attracted 29 groups who participated in one or both tasks.
Using Objective Metrics to Measure the Effort Overload in CSCL Design Processes That Support Artifact Flow

Modeling artifact flow in learning design of CSCL processes can be helpful, since it aims to handle effectively dependencies among group or individual activities. However, the cognitive overload problem for the teacher-designer may impede efficient modeling. Therefore, it is convenient to assess such an overload issue through objective metrics, adopted from the process modeling field, and to detect the underlying causes. Such an analysis may allow the proposal of alternative ways of handling the modeling process without incurring in excessive work and cognitive load. Our findings through an analysis of a set of significant CSCL scenarios, suggest that artifact assignment, access mode and size of collaborative scenarios are important influencing factors.
Contextual Knowledge Configures Attentional Control Networks

Contextual cues are predictive and provide behaviorally relevant information; they are not the main objective of the current task but can make behavior more efficient. Using fMRI, we investigated the brain networks involved in representing contextual information and translating it into an attentional control signal. Human subjects performed a visual search task for a low-contrast target accompanied by a single non-target that was either perceptually similar or more salient (i.e., higher contrast). Shorter reaction times (RTs) and higher accuracy were found on salient trials, suggesting that the salient item was rapidly identified as a non-target and immediately acts as a spatial “anti-cue” to reorient attention to the target. The relative saliency of the non-target determined BOLD responses in the left temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). IFG correlated with RT specifically on salient non-target trials. In contrast, bilateral dorsal frontoparietal regions [including the frontal eye fields (FEFs)] were correlated with RT in all conditions. Effective connectivity analyses using dynamic causal modeling found an excitatory pathway from TPJ to IFG to FEF, suggesting that this was the pathway by which the contextual cue was translated into an attentional control signal that facilitated behavior. Additionally, the connection from FEF to TPJ was negatively modulated during target-similar trials, consistent with the inhibition of TPJ by dorsal attentional control regions during top-down serial visual search. We conclude that left TPJ and IFG form a sensory-driven network that integrates contextual knowledge with ongoing sensory information to provide an attentional control signal to FEF.
The Business Model for Sustainability from a System Dynamics Perspective

Title: System Dynamics Perspective on the Business Model for Sustainability: A Multiple Case Study in the Architecture Industry Purpose: The primary purpose of the study is to explain how the system dynamics between the Value Configuration, Partner Network, and Capabilities work in a Business Model for Sustainability of small and large architecture firms. Methodology: We followed an abductive, qualitative research strategy with a multiple case study of ten participating firms. In two steps we analysed the firms. First, we categorised them alongside two dimensions, the degree of sustainability and the firm size, resulting in four quadrants. Second, we performed an in-depth analysis, using Causal Loop Diagrams for each firm of every quadrant. Theoretical Perspectives: The Business Model for Sustainability provides the foundation of the research. It explains the logic behind a firm that achieves economic value through environmental and social measures. Empirical Foundation: We base our findings on ten architecture firms from Germany and Denmark and complement the findings with voices of experts from industry and academia. Conclusion: The findings show that the Value Configuration, Partner Network, and Capabilities are working interdependently, whereas the Value Configuration acts as a connector between the other two. There are little differences in small and large firms in terms of their underlying dynamics. In order to design sustainably, architecture firms need to integrate their partner closely, build their brand rapidly, invest in their internal competences, and learn from partners. Because of the interdependency between the elements, each measure that the firm takes acts as a catalyst for the other.
Synthetic retrospective studies and related topics.

SUMMARY Prospective and retrospective approaches for estimating the influence of several variables on the occurrence of disease are discussed. The assumptions under which these approaches would tend to yield the same estimates as would be given by an ideal but unattainable experimental design approach are stated. It is then brought out that in a large prospective study in which comparatively few cases of disease have occurred, computational problems can be so burdensome as to preclude a comprehensive and imaginative analysis of the data. The prospective study can be converted into a synthetic retrospective study by selecting a random sample of the cases and a random sample of the noncases, the sampling proportion being small for noncases, but essentially unity for cases. It is demonstrated that such sampling will tend to leave the dependence of the log odds on the variables unaffected except for an additive constant. The use of a discrimination function noniterative method of analysis is noted and is indicated to be not generally appropriate. The reverse suggestion is made that normal data can be analyzed by a log-odds approach, this yielding alternative tests to those ordinarily used for comparing two or several means or mean vectors, or two or several variances or variance-covariance matrices.
UJI EMPIRIS MODEL ASSET PRICING LIMA FAKTOR FAMA-FRENCH DI INDONESIA

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the performances of the Fama-French three- (FF3) and five-factor (FF5) models in the Indonesia stock market. This study also examines whether book-to-market factor (HML) is redundant in explaining the portfolio excess returns in Indonesia. This study employs asset pricing factor of the 2 x 3 sorts and excess returns of 25 Size-B/M, 25 Size-OP, dan 25 Size-Inv portfolios as dependent variables. This study employs Ordinary Least Square (OLS) with monthly time-series data from 2000 to 2015. Based on the average adjusted R2 from the two models, FF5 explains portfolio excess return variations better than FF3, although the profitability and investment factors only display weak effect on the excess returns. If we refer to Merton's (1973) zero-intercept criterion, the both models are not valid in Indonesia, because most intercepts are significant in each set of 25 portfolios. We also find that book-to-market factor is redundant in describing the variation of returns in Indonesia. The test of intercept difference between Indonesia and The US indicates that there are differences of abnormal return and market efficiency in both countries.
Renewable energy sources offering flexibility through electricity markets

The high penetration of distributed energy resources (DER) in distribution networks and the competitive environment of electricity markets impose the use of new approaches in several domains. The network cost allocation, traditionally used in transmission networks, should be adapted and used in the distribution networks considering the specifications of the connected resources. The main goal is to develop a fairer methodology trying to distribute the distribution network use costs to all players which are using the network in each period. In this paper, a model considering different type of costs (fixed, losses, and congestion costs) is proposed comprising the use of a large set of DER, namely distributed generation (DG), demand response (DR) of direct load control type, energy storage systems (ESS), and electric vehicles with capability of discharging energy to the network, which is known as vehicle-to-grid (V2G). The proposed model includes three distinct phases of operation. The first phase of the model consists in an etwork tariffs allocation opological distribution factors economic dispatch based on an AC optimal power flow (AC-OPF); in the second phase Kirschen’s and Bialek’s tracing algorithms are used and compared to evaluate the impact of each resource in the network. Finally, the MW-mile method is used in the third phase of the proposed model. A distribution network of 33 buses with large penetration of DER is used to illustrate the application of the proposed model. © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The alliance capability view:the effective contribution of frequency of usage in examining the influence of alliance capability mechanisms on alliance portfolio performance

Disclaimer This document contains a student thesis (bachelor's or master's), as authored by a student at Eindhoven University of Technology. Student theses are made available in the TU/e repository upon obtaining the required degree. The grade received is not published on the document as presented in the repository. The required complexity or quality of research of student theses may vary by program, and the required minimum study period may vary in duration.
Multicenter trial of cryotherapy for retinopathy of prematurity. One-year outcome--structure and function. Cryotherapy for Retinopathy of Prematurity Cooperative Group.

This study of the safety and efficacy of cryotherapy in treating severe retinopathy of prematurity registered 9751 infants with birth weights less than 1251 g at 23 study centers. Two hundred ninety-one infants developed a defined threshold retinopathy of prematurity, and cryotherapy was performed in approximately half of the eyes through a randomization protocol. Twelve months after randomization, results of masked grading of fundus photographs of the posterior pole were similar to results obtained 3 months after randomization, and indicated an unfavorable outcome in 25.7% of the eyes that received cryotherapy compared with 47.4% of the control eyes (P less than .0001). For the first time, masked Teller Acuity Card assessment of grating acuity was performed in this study group and indicated an unfavorable functional outcome in 35.0% of the treated eyes compared with 56.3% of the control eyes (P less than .0001). These results indicate that cryotherapy reduces the risk of unfavorable retinal and functional outcome from threshold retinopathy of prematurity.
EXOGENOUS PLATELET-ACTIVATING FACTOR ACETYLHYDROLASE REDUCES MORTALITY IN MICE WITH SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE SYNDROME AND SEPSIS

ABSTRACT Current evidence indicates that dysregulation of the host inflammatory response to infectious agents is central to the mortality of patients with sepsis and in those with systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Strategies to block inflammatory mediators, often with complicated outcomes, are currently being investigated as new adjuvant therapies for sepsis. Here, we determined if administration of recombinant platelet-activating factor (rPAF)-acetylhydrolase (rPAF-AH), an enzyme that inactivates PAF and PAF-like lipids, protects mice from inflammatory injury and death after administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Administration of rPAF-AH increased plasma PAF-AH activity and reduced mortality in both models. Treatment with rPAF-AH increased peritoneal fluid levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1/CCL-2 and decreased interleukin 6 and migration inhibitory factor levels after LPS administration or CLP. Administration of a broad-spectrum antibiotic together with rPAF-AH was more protective than single treatment with either of these agents. The combined treatment was associated with reduced interleukin 6 levels in mice subjected to CLP. We observed acute decreases in plasma PAF-AH activity in mice subjected to CLP or challenged with LPS and in human patients with sepsis. We conclude that alterations in the endogenous PAF-AH contribute to the pathophysiology of sepsis and that administration of exogenous rPAF-AH reduces inflammatory injury and mortality in models relevant to the clinical syndrome. Variations in endogenous PAF-AH activity may potentially account for variable responses to exogenous rPAF-AH in previous clinical trials. Serial measurements of plasma PAF-AH activity in murine models demonstrate dynamic regulation of the endogenous enzyme, potentially explaining the variations in human subjects.