Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lumped Interconnect Models Via Gaussian Quadrature

This paper presents a new Gaussian quadrature methodfor interconnect modeling which applies to one-dimensionaldistributions of circuit element values, thel ine structuresoften used to model interconnect wires.The method takesa line circuit, which may be an arbitrary combination oflumped and distributed elements, and produces a smalllumped model whose transfer and input characteristic approximatelymay be used to generate lumped models for distributedelements, or to reduce long chains of lumped elements.The method also applies to one-dimensional distributionsof coupling circuit elements, and, in general, toany one-dimensional distribution of circuit element quantities.Several examples demonstrate that the quadrature-basedmethod is capable of automatically generating compactRC, LC and RLC line models with arbitrary accuracy.
Defining boundaries between words: A tightly-focused approach to the analysis of naturally-occurring text

AbstractThis paper describes the linguistic basis for the operation of a computer program which performs a particular type of grammatical/syntactic analysis—the assigning of structural “boundaries” between orthographic words in written English text. While the nature of the “boundary” as a linguistic element is implicitly recognized—as with the functional/systemic grammar word → above; group → above; clause hierarchy—an explicit definition of the “boundary” as a linguistic entity, together a set of potential boundaries, is an area in the analysis of language which has not been explored. The linguistic description in this paper forms a part of a study which has been primarily for the computer analysis of language. It is suggested that the concept of boundaries as linguistic entities is, however, also worth investigating for its intrinsic linguistic merit. In order to put the concept of the “boundary” into perspective, some background is necessary on the computer analysis of language; this is kept to a minim.
Long‐term Oral Tacrolimus Therapy in Refractory to Infliximab Fistulizing Crohn's Disease.: A Pilot Study

Aims: To evaluate efficacy and safety of oral tacrolimus in cases of fistulizing Crohn's disease (FCD), which is refractory to conventional therapy including infliximab. Methods: Patients with fistulas, previously and unsuccessfully treated with all conventional therapy (i.e., antibiotics, azathioprine, or 6‐mercaptopurine and infliximab), were enrolled in a prospective, uncontrolled, open‐label study of long‐term treatment with oral tacrolimus (0.05 mg/kg every12 h). The evaluation of the clinical response was complemented by use of the perianal Crohn's disease activity index (PCDAI) and magnetic resonance imaging‐based score (MRS) with determined periodicity. Results: Ten patients were included in the study (enterocutaneous fistula, 3 patients; perianal fistula, 4 patients; rectovaginal fistula, 3 patients) with 6 to 24 months of follow‐up. Five patients were steroid‐dependent, and 4 patients needed maintenance treatment with immunosuppressant agents. Four patients (40%) achieved complete clinical responses, which were verified by PCDAI and MRS. Five patients (50%) achieved partial responses (i.e., important decreases in fistula drainage, size, discomfort, and PCDAI/MRS values). Decreases in both the PCDAI and MRS were statistically significant (P < 0.05). All steroid‐dependent patients stopped therapy with prednisone, and concomitant immunosuppressive therapy was tapered. The response was maintained, and no new flare‐up of the disease was observed. Only mild adverse events were detected (1 patient withdrew from treatment due to headache), and no case of nephrotoxicity or diabetes was detected. One patient had received no benefit from therapy after 6 months. Conclusions: Oral tacrolimus could be an effective and safe treatment for patients with FCD, even if there has been no response to infliximab treatment. Randomized studies are needed to compare oral tacrolimus with infliximab in terms of efficacy, safety, and costs.
The origin of bidirectional DNA replication in polyoma virus.

The nucleotide locations of RNA‐p‐DNA covalent linkages in polyoma virus (PyV) replicating DNA were mapped in the region containing the genetically required origin of DNA replication (ori). These linkages mark the initiation sites for RNA‐primed DNA synthesis. A clear transition was identified between the presence of these linkages (discontinuous DNA synthesis) and their absence (continuous DNA synthesis) on each strand of ori. This demonstrated that PyV DNA replication, like simian virus 40 (SV40), is semi‐discontinuous, and thus revealed the location of the origin of bidirectional DNA replication (OBR). The transition site on the template encoding PyV late mRNA occurred at the junction of ori‐core and T‐antigen binding site A. This was essentially the same site as previously observed in SV40 (Hay and DePamphilis, 1982). However, in contrast to SV40, the transition site on the template encoding PyV early mRNA was displaced towards the late gene side of ori. This resulted in a 16 nucleotide gap within ori in which no RNA‐p‐DNA linkages were observed on either strand. A model for the initiation of PyV DNA replication is presented.
XDuce: A statically typed XML processing language

XDuce is a statically typed programming language for XML processing. Its basic data values are XML documents, and its types (so-called regular expression types) directly correspond to document schemas. XDuce also provides a flexible form of regular expression pattern matching, integrating conditional branching, tag checking, and subtree extraction, as well as dynamic typechecking. We survey the principles of XDuce's design, develop examples illustrating its key features, describe its foundations in the theory of regular tree automata, and present a complete formal definition of its core, along with a proof of type safety.
Effect of an education program on knowledge, self-care behavior and handwashing competence on prevention of febrile neutropenia among breast cancer patients receiving Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide in Chemotherapy Day Centre

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an education program on the prevention of febrile neutropenia (FN) among breast cancer patients receiving AC regimen. Methods: Randomized controlled trial with the repeated-measures design was conducted in a Chemotherapy Day Centre of an acute hospital in Hong Kong. Twenty-five subjects in the intervention group received an individual education session followed by three follow-up sessions and routine care. Twenty-four subjects in the control group received routine care. Primary outcomes included the incidence of admission due to FN, the self-care behavior adherence, the knowledge level on prevention of FN and the self-efficacy in self-management, handwashing competence were assessed by self-designed questionnaires, Chinese version of patient activation measure, and handwashing competence checklist. Results: No statistically significant difference between the intervention group and the control group on the incidence of admission due to FN, the self-efficacy in self-management, and the knowledge on prevention of FN. The self-care behavior adherence was significant at cycle 4 of AC regimen in favor of the intervention group (P = 0.036). Handwashing competence improved more significantly among subjects in the intervention group than the control group (P = 0.009). Conclusions: The education program on the prevention of FN had significantly favorable effects on self-care behavior adherence and handwashing competence across time. However, the intervention did not lead to statistically significant improvement on the incidence of admission due to FN, the self-efficacy in self-management and the knowledge level on prevention of FN.
Effect of Long-Term Osmotic Loading Culture on Matrix Synthesis from Intervertebral Disc Cells

Abstract The intervertebral disc is a highly hydrated tissue that acts to absorb and distribute large complex loads placed on the spine. Diurnal loading and disc degeneration causes significant changes in water volume and proteoglycan content, which alters the internal osmotic environment. Short-term osmotic loading alters disc cell gene expression; however, the long-term effect of osmotic loading on disc cell matrix synthesis is not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of long-term osmotic loading on matrix turnover and proliferation by juvenile and adult cells from the nucleus pulposus (NP) and the cartilaginous endplate (EP). Matrix synthesis was evaluated using pellets and a 3D agarose system, which has been used for developing engineered tissues. Intervertebral discs were acquired from juvenile and adult cows. Cells were acquired through enzymatic digestion and expanded in culture. Pellets were formed through centrifugation, and constructs were created by encapsulating cells within 2% w/v agarose hydrogel. Pellets and constructs were cultured up to 42 days in chemically defined medium with the osmolality adjusted to 300, 400, or 500 mOsm/kg. EP cells were evaluated as a chondrocyte comparison to chondrocyte-like NP cells. Pellet and agarose cultures of juvenile NP and EP cells demonstrated similarities with respect to cell proliferation and functional mechanical properties. Cell proliferation decreased significantly with increased osmotic loading. The final compressive Young's modulus of juvenile NP cells was 10–40× greater than initial properties (i.e., day 0) and was greater than the final Young's modulus of adult NP and juvenile EP constructs. In juvenile NP constructs, there were no significant differences in GAG content with respect to osmotic loading. However, GAG synthesis and mechanical properties were greatest for the 400 mOsm/kg group in adult NP constructs. Taken together, the results presented here suggest a tradeoff between cell proliferation and matrix production under osmotic loading conditions. In conclusion, culturing disc cells in an osmotic environment that best mimics the healthy disc environment (400 mOsm/kg) may be ideal for balancing cell proliferation, matrix production, and mechanical properties of engineered disc tissues.
From Words to Networks and Back

Digital text has revolutionized how we consume and produce information, and also provides seemingly limitless sources of data from Twitter feeds to online historical archives. Such new data challenge traditional boundaries between quantitative and qualitative research, and exciting horizons have emerged. New analytic approaches are warranted, however, given the typically unstructured, respondent-generated format of such data. In this article, I examine how sociologists have handled text data prior to digitization. Building on recent advancements in computational linguistics and computational social science, I then offer a network-based model and approach for analyzing similarities and locating emergent, general themes in digitized text. I provide a case in point by analyzing the United States’ presidential inaugural addresses. This analysis illustrates how sociologists can take advantage of both the breadth of new digital sources of data and the richness that such qualitative material provides. Indeed, the digitization of texts represents a possible and stimulating sea change in how we tell socio-cultural and historical stories. The greatest potential in these regards rests at the nexus of new computational methods and in-depth, qualitative strategies.
Improving blanking/clipping based impulsive noise mitigation over powerline channels

Powerline communication technology is a promising communication platform for smart grid and has nowadays become an attractive alternative for data transmission in the home. Impulsive noise (IN) over such channels, however, remains the main factor responsible for degrading communication signals. Many techniques for mitigating IN have been reported in the literature the most common of which is preceding the OFDM receiver with blanking, clipping or hybrid (combined blanking-clipping) nonlinear preprocessors. In this paper, we propose to enhance the capability of these techniques by preprocessing the signal at the transmitter. A closed-form analytical expression for the probability of IN detection error is derived and the problem of blanking/clipping threshold selection is also considered. The results reveal that the proposed is able to minimize the probability of IN detection error significantly and can provide up to 3dB SNR improvement relative to the conventional techniques.
Students working online for group projects: a test of an extended theory of planned behaviour model

Abstract This study examined an extended theory of planned behaviour (TPB) model that specified factors affecting students’ intentions to collaborate online for group work. Past behaviour, past experience and actual behavioural control were incorporated in the extended TPB model. The mediating roles of attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control were also examined. Data were collected from primary and secondary students in Hong Kong (N = 957). The partial least square approach to structural equation modelling was used to analyse the a priori hypothesised model. In general, the model fitted the data very well and the major relationships were found to be significant. The results indicated that past experience and actual behavioural control played individual roles in the model. Theoretical and practical implications are considered in this study.
Characterization of in vitro phenotypes of Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia 1 mallei strains isolated from infected mice

26 Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) and B. mallei (Bm), the agents of melioidosis and glanders 27 respectively, are Tier 1 biothreats. They infect humans and animals, causing disease ranging 28 from acute and fatal to protracted and chronic. Chronic infections are especially challenging to 29 treat, and the identification of in vitro phenotypic markers which signal progression of an acute 30 to a more persistent infection would be beneficial. A three-stage phenotyping strategy was 31 developed employing colony morphotyping, chemical sensitivity testing, and macrophage 32 infection and LPS fingerprint analyses to distinguish Burkholderia strains. Different strains of 33 Bp often exhibited greater colony heterogeneity, more resistance to environmental and host 34 stresses, and greater macrophage survival and cytotoxicity than Bm strains. Mouse spleen 35 isolates of Bp or Bm collected 3-180 days after infection were analyzed. Compared to the parent 36 strain, spleen isolates exhibited increased colony morphology differences and different patterns 37 of antimicrobial sensitivities, but the association between time and the extent of changes was 38 unclear; also parent strain variability was partially confounding. Whereas some Bm isolates were 39 reduced in macrophage survival/cytotoxicity, specific Bp isolates were enhanced. Specific Bp 40 and Bm persistent infection isolates were clearly enhanced in virulence for mice. Further studies 41 will evaluate the significance of these differences. 42 43
Genetic Variation and Management of Striped Bass Populations in the Coastal Rivers of South Carolina

Abstract The coastal rivers of South Carolina possess reproducing populations of striped bass Morone saxatilis. Historically, all of these populations have been augmented with hatchery stocks from the Santee–Cooper drainage. Concern has been expressed that locally adapted, reproductively isolated populations may exist in these coastal rivers. Thus, the objective of this effort was to assess the distinctiveness of reproducing striped bass populations in these coastal rivers. Tagging studies indicated that the interriver movement of striped bass was minimal. A population estimate of 406 striped bass longer than 30 cm was obtained for the Combahee River, suggesting a relatively small breeding population. Genetic assays at three nuclear restriction fragment length polymorphism sites showed highly significant allele frequency differences among seven coastal rivers, suggesting reproductive isolation. Partially or fully isolated populations can develop beneficial adaptations to local environmental conditions. Th.
“Anatomy and Imaging”: 10 Years of Experience with an Interdisciplinary Teaching Project in Preclinical Medical Education – From an Elective to a Curricular Course

Abstract Purpose: Presentation of an interdisciplinary, interactive, tutor-based preclinical teaching project called “Anatomy and Imaging”. Materials and Methods: Experience report, analysis of evaluation results and selective literature review. Results: From 2001 to 2012, 618 students took the basic course (4 periods per week throughout the semester) and 316 took the advanced course (2 periods per week). We reviewed 557 (return rate 90.1 %) and 292 (92.4 %) completed evaluation forms of the basic and the advanced course. Results showed overall high satisfaction with the courses (1.33 and 1.56, respectively, on a 5-point Likert scale). The recognizability of the relevance of the course content for medical training, the promotion of the interest in medicine and the quality of the student tutors were evaluated especially positively. Conclusion: The “Anatomy and Imaging” teaching project is a successful concept for integrating medical imaging into the preclinical stage of medical education. The course was offered as part of the curriculum in 2013 for the first time. “Anatomia in mortuis” and “Anatomia in vivo” are not regarded as rivaling entities in the delivery of knowledge, but as complementary methods. Key points: • “Anatomy and Imaging” is an interdisciplinary, interactive, tutor-based preclinical teaching project. Imaging techniques potentially deliver anatomical knowledge effectively. • Student tutors enable teaching in small groups (up to 10 participants). • Since 2013, the former elective has become part of the curriculum. • The course introduces preclinical students to radiology. Citation Format: • Schober A, Pieper CC, Schmidt R et al. “Anatomy and Imaging”: 10 Years of Experience with an Interdisciplinary Teaching Project in Preclinical Medical Education – From an Elective to a Curricular Course. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2014; 186: 458 – 465
Adaptation of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory among a Portuguese sample of incarcerated juvenile offenders

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) and two of its short forms (NPI-16 and NPI-13) among a Portuguese sample of male incarcerated juvenile offenders (N = 221). Of these, only the NPI-13 short version demonstrated a good fit in terms of its factor structure. The NPI-13 also showed promising psychometric properties in terms of its internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and criterion-related validity. Statistically significant associations were found with age of crime onset, crime seriousness, conduct disorder symptoms, alcohol abuse, and cannabis use. These findings justify the use of the NPI-13, especially its Entitlement/Exploitativeness dimension, among incarcerated male youths.
Egibacter rhizosphaerae gen. nov., sp. nov., an obligately halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic actinobacterium and proposal of Egibaceraceae fam. nov. and Egibacterales ord. nov.

A novel obligately halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic actinobacterium, designated EGI 80759T, was isolated from the rhizosphere of Tamarix hispida Willd, Karamay, Xinjiang province, north-west China. Cells of strain EGI 80759T were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile and non-endospore-forming rods. Strain EGI 80759T showed obligately halophilic growth with a tolerance to 8-25 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum growth at 10-12 %, w/v) and facultatively alkaliphilic growth within the pH range 7.0-11.0 (optimum growth at pH 9.0-10.0). Cell-wall hydrolysates of the isolate contained meso-diaminopimelic acid (peptidoglycan type A1γ), with glucose, glucosamine, ribose and mannose as the major sugars. The major fatty acids identified were 10-methyl-C17 : 0, C17 : 1ω8c and C17 : 0. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 72.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that strain EGI 80759T clustered with members of the class Nitriliruptoria and showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities with Euzebya tangerina F10T (90.3 %) and Nitriliruptor alkaliphilus ANL-iso2T (88.1 %). On the basis of the data obtained from phenotypic and chemotaxonomic studies and the phylogenetic analysis, the isolate is proposed to be a representative of a novel genus and a novel species, Egibacter rhizosphaerae gen. nov., sp. nov., of a proposed novel family, Egibacteraceae fam. nov., and order, Egibacterales ord. nov., within the class Nitriliruptoria. The type strain of the type species, Egibacter rhizosphaerae, is EGI 80759T ( = CGMCC 1.14997T = KCTC 39588T).
Undergraduates’ implementations of learning stations as their service learning among elementary school students

Service learning provides pre-service educators with a context for having hands-on field experience and also assists in understanding the theory and practice. This study discusses 7 undergraduates' implementations of learning stations as their service learning with 28 elementary school students. Through thematic data analysis of interviews, observation field notes, activity designs, and discussion posts, this study presented the following major findings. First, elementary school students, seven undergraduates, and a cooperative elementary school English teacher held positive attitudes towards the implementation of learning stations, because these developed children's cooperation and word recognition skills. Second, undergraduates and cooperative teachers gained professionalism through reflection and cooperation, in terms of activity designs, classroom management, and interpersonal skills development with kids and adults. Five suggestions are provided in order to effectively implement undergraduates' activity designs for learning stations as their service learning among elementary school students.
The quality of life of patients developed delirium after coronary artery bypass grafting is determined by cognitive function after discharge: A cross‐sectional study

AIMS Postoperative delirium (POD) and declined cognitive function were common in patients (especially elderly patients) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), which may affect quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to determine the relationships among age, POD, declined cognitive function, and QoL in patients who underwent CABG. METHODS Consecutive patients who underwent first time elective CABG and assessed for POD using Confusion Assessment Method for intensive care unit for 5 postoperative days from November 2013 to March 2015 were recruited. A cross-sectional study was conducted during April 2015 to assess their cognitive function and QoL, using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status Scale and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. The relationships among age, POD, declined cognitive function, and QoL were tested using path analysis. RESULTS Declined cognitive function was associated with poorer QoL. POD was associated with declined cognitive function but was not associated with poorer QoL. Ageing was not associated with QoL but was associated with POD and declined cognitive function. CONCLUSION The QoL of patients developed delirium after CABG is determined by cognitive function after discharge. Necessary strategies should be implemented to prevent POD and declined cognitive function, especially in elderly patients.