Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Operational observations methods during offshore sand mining — case study in Tallinn Bay, the southern Gulf of Finland

Offshore sand mining is increasing activity nowadays. Environmental impact of sand mining appears usually through the transport of suspended particulate matter (SPM) away from the actual mining area. Satellite remote sensing is efficient tool for the operational monitoring of SPM distribution during harbor dredging, but problematic in the case of sand mining, as SPM remains mainly below the water surface. We used satellite remote sensing, in-situ measurements of optical properties of seawater and combined wave, hydrodynamic and sediment transport numerical modeling for assessment of the area affected by sand mining in Tallinn Bay, the southern Gulf of Finland. Sand mining took place from October 2008 to April 2009 with short breaks that were random in time. Vertical profiles of spectral attenuation and absorption coefficients by spectrometer AC Spectra, underwater light field and albedo by radiometer Ramses-ACC-VIS were measured in situ. In satellite remote sensing MODIS images with 250 m spatial resolution were used for the qualitative estimation of the surface area that was affected by sand mining. Nested 2D hydrodynamic model and wave model SWAN with 400 m spatial resolution at mining site gave input fields of currents and bottom shear stresses to the Lagrangian type particle transport model. While in-situ measurements and satellite remote sensing give snapshot about the SPM distribution numerical modeling enables to have dynamics of the ongoing process. In-situ measurements showed that the concentrations of SPM were the highest at the mining operation. The thickness of the elevated SPM layer was about 6 m. Satellite remote sensing showed minor or no signal of elevated SPM concentrations on the water surface in comparison to surrounding area. Model result show clearly that eastward transport of SPM prevailed during the sand mining activities. The SPM covered larger area during autumn than during winter and spring. This can be attributed to the stronger winds that forced higher waves and stronger currents. Wave activity is responsible for keeping the SPM in suspension, which favors the transport of SPM away from the mining site. In the environmental point of view, the most affected area remains in the radius of 1 km from the mining site. In conclusion, the use of satellite remote sensing and in-situ measurements can be misleading when considering environmental impact assessment caused by SPM.
Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Neuroprotective Profiles of Novel 1,4-Dihydropyridine Derivatives for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic and irreversible pathological process that has become the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease. Currently, it is considered a multifactorial disease where oxidative stress and chronic neuroinflammation play a crucial role in its onset and development. Its characteristic neuronal loss has been related to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles mainly composed by hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Hyperphosphorylation of tau protein is related to the over-activity of GSK-3β, a kinase that participates in several pathological mechanisms including neuroinflammation. Neuronal loss is also related to cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis dysregulation that triggers apoptosis and free radicals production, contributing to oxidative damage and, finally, neuronal death. Under these premises, we have obtained a new family of 4,7-dihydro-2H-pyrazolo[3–b]pyridines as multitarget directed ligands showing potent antioxidant properties and able to scavenge both oxygen and nitrogen radical species, and also, with anti-inflammatory properties. Further characterization has demonstrated their capacity to inhibit GSK-3β and to block L-type voltage dependent calcium channels. Novel derivatives have also demonstrated an interesting neuroprotective profile on in vitro models of neurodegeneration. Finally, compound 4g revokes cellular death induced by tau hyperphosphorylation in hippocampal slices by blocking reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In conclusion, the multitarget profile exhibited by these compounds is a novel therapeutic strategy of potential interest in the search of novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
A Cautionary Note on Optimization [Antenna Designer's Notebook]

It is always nice to be told that one's solution to a problem is optimal. We like to think we have the best solution, even though as engineers, we should be aware that for very few problems is the quality of the solution really a uni-dimensional variable with a unique maximum. In the real world, a "best solution" is usually the result of painstaking exploration of a Pareto frontier, the dimensions of which do not in general lend themselves to being neatly bundled a priori in some scalar function.
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) binding sites and thyrotropin response to TRH are regulated by thyroid hormones in human thyrotropic adenomas.

In order to see whether, in thyrotropic adenomas with thyrotoxicosis, plasma thyroid hormones regulate the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) binding sites and the thyrotropin (TSH) response to TRH, we investigated: the presence of TRH binding sites in two cases of thyrotropic adenomas associated with hyperthyroidism and in one case of thyrotropic adenoma secondary to thyroid failure: and the in vitro effect, in a perifusion system, of triiodothyronine (T3) on the response of TSH to TRH in three cases of TSH-secreting adenomas associated with hyperthyroidism. The TRH binding sites were absent in the adenomas associated with high levels of circulating thyroid hormones, whereas they were present in the adenoma secondary to primary thyroid failure (Kd = 47 nmol/l, Bmax = 40 nmol/kg membrane proteins). In vitro, the three adenomas spontaneously released TSH in the perifusion medium (1.49 +/- 0.06 (mean +/- SEM), 7.25 +/- 0.12 and 16.73 +/- 0.36 mIU.l-1 x 10(6) cells-1 x 2 min-1) and exhibited an ample TSH response to 10(-7) mol/l TRH pulses. In two cases, tumoral secretion of fragments was compared with those of fragments maintained since the time of surgical removal in the presence of 10(-8) mol/lT3. The TSH responses to TRH were abolished in the presence of T3 in these two cases. We conclude that thyrotropic adenomas associated with hyperthyroidism are still controlled in vivo by T3. In particular, T3 regulates the TSH response to TRH, probably via a down-regulation of the TRH binding sites.
Switching loss analysis of modulation methods used in neutral point clamped converters

Multilevel converters are used in medium voltage high power applications. In this field, switching losses are an important efficiency issue due to long term operation costs. Previous works have centered the analysis in comparing different topologies or semiconductors in relation to switching losses. However, switching loses are closely related to the modulation method employed to control the converter. Therefore, the comparison of several modulation methods applied to a single topology can provide valuable insight for designing considerations. This paper presents a switching loss estimation method for Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) multilevel converters. The estimation method is based on experimental measurements of the power semiconductors together with a linearized switching model of the converter. In addition manufacturer datasheet information is used to represent more accurately different operating conditions. The estimation method is used to compare the switching losses produced by the most common modulation methods used for NPC converters. The main purpose of the paper is to provide quantitative results to compare the different modulation methods in terms of efficiency.
Thrombin formation.

The generation of the enzyme thrombin from its precursor prothrombin is the central event of the blood coagulation process, which is essential to hemostasis and the culprit in thrombosis. Thrombin is produced by a complex series of proteolytic events that are initiated when cryptic tissue factor interacts with plasma factor VIIa to initiate the complex series of events leading to the formation of the blood coagulation enzyme complexes that lead to the efficient generation of the enzyme. During these processes, thrombin contributes to both the generation of the catalysts involved in its ultimate production and to the catalysts that lead to attenuation of its production. Thrombin-catalyzed events both enhance and diminish the process of thrombin generation, which is down-regulated by stoichiometric and dynamic inhibitory processes. The combinations of intensities of activation and inhibition processes provide tight regulation of the hemostatic process, establishing reaction thresholds, essentially leading to an "on/off" switch. This review provides a brief summary of the evolution of knowledge with respect to present-day concepts of thrombin generation via the tissue factor pathway and its regulation.
A longitudinal study of parenting and adolescent adjustment in Chinese adolescents with economic disadvantage

This longitudinal study examines the relationship between parenting behavior and adolescent adjustment (psychological well-being, substance abuse and delinquent behavior) in Chinese adolescents with economic disadvantage (N = 199). Results showed that parenting characteristics were concurrently and longitudinally related to measures of adolescent adjustment, particularly adolescent problem behavior. Compared with the norm based on adolescents of a community sample, poor adolescents perceived parenting characteristics to be more negative and they had relatively lower life satisfaction. Paternal parenting was perceived to be more negative than maternal parenting and parenting behavior was perceived to deteriorate over time.
Estimating the Effect of Health Insurance on Personal Prescription Drug Importation

Personal prescription drug importation occurs in the United States because of the high cost of U.S. medicines and lower cost of foreign equivalents. Importation carries a risk of exposure to counterfeit (i.e., falsified, fraudulent), adulterated, and substandard drugs. Inadequate health insurance may increase the risk of importation. We use inverse probability weighted marginal structural models and data on 87,494 individuals from the 2011-2013 National Health Interview Survey to estimate the marginal association between no health insurance and importation within U.S. subpopulations. The marginal prevalence difference [95% confidence limits] for those without (prevalence = 0.031) versus those with health insurance was 0.016 [0.011, 0.021]. The prevalence difference was higher among persons who were Hispanic, born in Latin America, Russia, or Europe, traveled to developing countries, and did not use the Internet to fill prescriptions or to find health information. Health insurance coverage may effectively reduce importation, especially among particular subpopulations.
A graphene-loaded substrate-superstrate leaky-wave THz antenna

In this work we present a novel substrate-superstrate leaky-wave THz antenna loaded with an electrostatically biased graphene sheet within the substrate. The graphene sheet position is shown to significantly affect the dispersion and radiation properties of the fundamental leaky modes supported by the structure. An optimum position for the graphene sheet is numerically found in order to maximize the pattern directivity for broadside radiation. Furthermore, the possibility to angularly scan the beam at a fixed frequency by varying the chemical potential of graphene is investigated. Numerical results confirm the bias-scanning feature, with a quasi-constant narrow pattern beamwidth.
Subcellular Distribution of Ependymins in Goldfish Brain Measured by Radioimmunoassay

Abstract: Goldfish CNS was fractionated by differential and density gradient centrifugation. The fractions obtained were characterized by marker enzymes typical of various subcellular organelles. They were further analyzed by radioimmunoassay for their contents of ependymins, two CNS glyco‐proteins known to participate in biochemical reactions after learning events. Ependymins were shown to be major constituents of the soluble cytoplasm (5.6% of the total protein content). The nuclear fraction was virtually devoid of ependymins (0.6% of protein). Small amounts were observed in the crude synaptosomal and microsomal fractions (1.0 and 3.5%, respectively). The highest steady‐state concentration of ependymins, however, was measured in the brain extracellular fluid (15.6% of the protein), including the CSF. The specificity of the distribution was examined by intracerebro‐ventricular injection of 125I‐labeled ependymins as exogenous marker substances. No indication of an artificial redistribution of the radiolabel during homogenization and frac‐tionation was obtained. The exogenous analogues of ependymins were, however, incorporated in vivo into organelles recovered in the nuclear and crude synaptosomal fractions. Our results suggest that ependymins may interact with synaptic membranes from the extracellular fluid, although so far no evidence for a specific receptor‐type binding site could be obtained in vitro.
Analytical Analysis of Disturbed Radio Broadcast

Analogue radio broadcast signals are often disturbed in various ways as experienced in driving situations. These disturbances cover typical, short term ”pops”, longer noise bursts, short term ”mutes”, insertion of so-called ”HighCut”, i.e. the attenuation of higher frequencies to mask disturbances or noticeable stereo/mono switching. These disturbances can be separated in two parts: they are caused either by bad reception conditions (loss of transmission energy, interferences, multiple transmission paths etc.) or by implemented masking techniques in FM receivers in order to improve audio quality.
Stromal expression of cathepsin K in squamous cell carcinoma

Background Cathepsin K (CTSK), a cysteine protease with strong collagenolytic and elastolytic properties involved in extracellular matrix turnover, may be produced by neoplastic cells as well as stromal macrophages and fibroblasts. Its expression is suggested as associated with increased invasive and metastatic potential.
Developing Effective Strategies and Performance Metrics for Automatic Target Recognition

Abstract : University of South Alabama segment: In this report, we presented four multiple target tracking algorithms and two data/decision fusion algorithm for efficient target tracking in FLIR imagery. The performance of these algorithms has been evaluated using two approaches - evaluation based on the input scene data complexity, and evaluation based on the correlation output produced by each algorithm. Finally, we investigated target detection in the initial frame of a sequence using two techniques assuming no target information is known a priori. (Details included in the report). University of Memphis segment: We primarily focus on the performance measure characterization for both the dataset and our developed algorithms. We developed a composite metric table with different performance measures that demonstrates the capability of our two specific techniques, such as intensity and correlation algorithms, for detection and tracking. We also developed additional metric such as signal-to-noise ratio and classification for the entire dataset into low, medium and high categories. (Details included in the report). Wright State University segment: In this report, we explored the search engine design which allows for easy plug in of multiple search methods. Therefore, scenes can be evaluated based upon the performance of different matching algorithms. The key idea of this search method is to take advantage of the "divide and concur" concept. Instead of searching for a pattern in a large image, a smart approach is taken to divide the image space into overlapping pattern of sub-images. Search is then based on upon best match with sub- image. (Details included in the report).
Ionic behaviors and neuronal survival in developing ganglia. III. Studies with embryonic chick sympathetic neurons

We have shown in the past that (1) Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) controls the Na+,K+‐pump in its ganglionic neuronal targets and (2) the NGF requirement for pump control is developmentally regulated in the chick embryo dorsal root ganglion. We report here that NGF is fully competent to insure the control of intracellular Na+ concentrations (as expression of pump control) in intact chick sympathetic ganglia and enriched suspensions of sympathetic neurons from embryonic day 8 (E8) through 13. At later stages (E13–E18), NGF becomes less and less required for that control as the neurons gain a self‐sustained ionic pump competence. In monolayer cultures of enriched sympathetic neurons, an increasing neuronal survival in the absence of NGF occurs. These data demonstrate that the ability of developing sympathetic neurons to survive without NGF increases with the same temporal pattern as does their independence from NGF for ionic pump control, stressing the importance of ionic events for neuronal survival.
Genetic association of interleukin‐2, interleukin‐4, interleukin‐6, transforming growth factor‐β, tumour necrosis factor‐α and blood concentrations of calcineurin inhibitors in Turkish renal transplant patients

Cytokines are essential for the control of the immune response as most of the immunosuppressive drugs target cytokine production or their action. The calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) cyclosporine (CsA) and tacrolimus are immunosuppressive drugs widely used after renal transplantation to prevent allograft rejection. They are characterized by large interindividual variability in their pharmacokinetics; therefore, monitoring their blood concentrations is important to predict their optimal dosage following transplantation. Calcineurin inhibitors inhibit the phosphatase activity of calcineurin, thereby suppressing the production of other cytokines such as transforming growth factor (TGF‐β), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐2, and IL‐4. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between polymorphisms of cytokines and blood concentrations of CNIs in renal transplant patients. The study included 53 CsA‐treated renal transplant patients and 37 tacrolimus‐treated renal transplant patients. Cytokine polymorphisms were analysed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence‐specific primers with the cytokine CTS‐PCR‐sequence‐specific primers Tray Kit; University of Heidelberg. Blood concentrations of CNIs were determined with Cloned Enzyme Donor Immunoassay (CEDIA) method. Patients with TC genotype of TGF‐β at codon 10 had lower CsA blood concentrations than the TT and CC genotypes (P = 0.005) at 1 month in CsA treatment group. The ratio of blood concentration/dose of CsA for patients with TGF‐β1‐codon 10 TC genotype was lower than for patients with TT, CC genotypes, and the dose given to these patients was higher in the first month (P = 0.046). The ratio of blood concentration/dose of CsA for patients with IL‐2‐330 GG genotype was higher than for patients with GT, TT genotypes, and the dose given to these patients was lower at first month and sixth months (P = 0.043, P = 0.035 respectively). The tacrolimus blood concentrations were significantly higher in patients with the genotype GG of IL‐2‐330 (P = 0.012) at the third month. Patients who had the TC genotype TGF‐β codon 10 had lower CsA blood concentrations and this group had higher acute rejection (P = 0.033). These results suggest that the genotyping for TGF‐β‐codon 10, IL‐2‐330 and IL‐6‐174 polymorphisms may help individualized immunosuppressive dosage regiments.
Parent Factors Related to Social Intervention Outcomes: Examining Immediate and Delayed Responders

The purpose of this study was to explore several family-related factors that may be associated with treatment response to an evidence-based social communication intervention targeting preschoolers with disabilities or at-risk. We used multilevel modeling to conduct retrospective analyses of data collected across a series of single-case intervention studies. Forty-six preschoolers participated in the study. The results of the positive peer interactions analyses indicated that children from married, separated, or widowed homes and children with mothers with high maternal education levels tended to interact more positively with their peers and decreased in their amount of play verbalizations over time relative to children whose parents were divorced or had low maternal education levels. Similar data patterns were found for both the immediate responders (e.g., children who make immediate progress once an intervention program has begun) and delayed responders (e.g., children who make changes in behavior after receiving a few or several intervention sessions).
Probabilistic optimal power flow using unscented transformation

Renewable energy-based generation causes uncertainties in power system operation and planning due to its stochastic nature. Probabilistic optimal power flow (POPF) is a tool to solve for the random variables of this nonlinear power flow problem. In this paper, the unscented transformation (UT) is utilized to solve POPF with correlated random variables taken into account. The UT is utilized to calculate the statistical characteristics (i.e. mean and variance) of OPF results. The method is tested on the IEEE 30-bus system and the results are compared with the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) to demonstrate the effectiveness of the UT.
The Chemical Reaction Optimization Approach to Solving the Environmentally Sustainable Network Design Problem

Nowadays, the decision makers in the transportation industry are being urged to incorporate environmental costs into road network design decision making because road traffic affects the environment and health. The design of a road network should not only be cost‐effective but also environmentally sustainable. This article proposes a new network design problem (NDP) that takes both vehicle emissions and noise into account. This proposed environmentally sustainable NDP is formulated as a discrete bilevel program. The lower‐level problem is formulated as user‐equilibrium assignment. The upper‐level problem determines the optimal road capacity expansion to minimize the total costs of emissions, noise, and travel time with the considerations of budgetary and capacity improvement constraints. The proposed problem is solved by an enhanced version of a new meta‐heuristic named Chemical Reaction Optimization (CRO), and its parameters are tuned by our proposed tuning procedure. Two benchmark road networks with different demand levels are used to evaluate the performance of the enhanced CRO and illustrate the properties of the problem. The results show that there were tradeoffs between emissions, noise, and travel time costs, and that the enhanced CRO outperformed Genetic Algorithm (GA) on more than half of the testing scenarios and had a comparable performance on certain test scenarios compared with GA.
Application of differential interference contrast with inverted microscopes to the in vitro perfused nephron

The study of in vitro perfused individual nephron segments requires a microscope which provides: (1) easy access to the specimen for measurement of cellular solute flux and voltage; (2) an image with high resolution and contrast; (3) optical sectioning of the object at different levels; and (4) rapid recording of the morphological phenomena. This paper describes an example of commercially available apparatus meeting the above requirements, and illustrates its efficiency.