Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Internal quality assurance for external contributions in GitHub: An empirical investigation

For popular open‐source software projects, there are always a large number of worldwide developers who have been glued to making code contributions, while most of these developers play the role of casual contributors because of their very limited code commits. The frequent turnover of such a group of developers and the wide variations in their coding experiences challenge the project management on code and quality. This paper aims to investigate the status quo of internal quality assurance for external contributions in social coding sites. We first conducted a case study of 21 popular GitHub projects to estimate the code quality of the casual contributors. The quantitative results show that the casual contributors introduced greater quantity and severity of code quality issues than the main contributors; the developers who contribute to different projects as main and casual contributors did not perform significantly differently in terms of their code quality. On the basis of these findings, we further conducted a survey of 81 developers on GitHub to understand their practices on internal quality assurance. The qualitative results expose some limitations of present internal quality control for external contributions in GitHub. Finally, we discuss an alternative quality management paradigm: Continuous Inspection for industrial practices.
The Aer2 receptor from Vibrio cholerae is a dual PAS‐heme oxygen sensor

The diarrheal pathogen Vibrio cholerae navigates complex environments using three chemosensory systems and 44–45 chemoreceptors. Chemosensory cluster II modulates chemotaxis, whereas clusters I and III have unknown functions. Ligands have been identified for only five V. cholerae chemoreceptors. Here, we report that the cluster III receptor, VcAer2, binds and responds to O2. VcAer2 is an ortholog of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Aer2 (PaAer2) but differs in that VcAer2 has two, rather than one, N‐terminal PAS domain. We have determined that both PAS1 and PAS2 form homodimers and bind penta‐coordinate b‐type heme via an Eη‐His residue. Heme binding to PAS1 required the entire PAS core, but receptor function also required the N‐terminal cap. PAS2 functioned as an O2‐sensor [ Kd(O2), 19 μM], utilizing the same Iβ Trp (W276) as PaAer2 to stabilize O2. The crystal structure of PAS2‐W276L was similar to that of PaAer2‐PAS but resided in an active conformation mimicking the ligand‐bound state, consistent with its signal‐on phenotype. PAS1 also bound O2 [ Kd(O2), 12 μM], although O2 binding was stabilized by either a Trp residue or Tyr residue. Moreover, PAS1 appeared to function as a signal modulator, regulating O2‐mediated signaling from PAS2 and resulting in activation of the cluster III chemosensory pathway.
Engineering a 3D-Bioprinted Model of Human Heart Valve Disease Using Nanoindentation-Based Biomechanics

In calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), microcalcifications originating from nanoscale calcifying vesicles disrupt the aortic valve (AV) leaflets, which consist of three (biomechanically) distinct layers: the fibrosa, spongiosa, and ventricularis. CAVD has no pharmacotherapy and lacks in vitro models as a result of complex valvular biomechanical features surrounding resident mechanosensitive valvular interstitial cells (VICs). We measured layer-specific mechanical properties of the human AV and engineered a three-dimensional (3D)-bioprinted CAVD model that recapitulates leaflet layer biomechanics for the first time. Human AV leaflet layers were separated by microdissection, and nanoindentation determined layer-specific Young’s moduli. Methacrylated gelatin (GelMA)/methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) hydrogels were tuned to duplicate layer-specific mechanical characteristics, followed by 3D-printing with encapsulated human VICs. Hydrogels were exposed to osteogenic media (OM) to induce microcalcification, and VIC pathogenesis was assessed by near infrared or immunofluorescence microscopy. Median Young’s moduli of the AV layers were 37.1, 15.4, and 26.9 kPa (fibrosa/spongiosa/ventricularis, respectively). The fibrosa and spongiosa Young’s moduli matched the 3D 5% GelMa/1% HAMA UV-crosslinked hydrogels. OM stimulation of VIC-laden bioprinted hydrogels induced microcalcification without apoptosis. We report the first layer-specific measurements of human AV moduli and a novel 3D-bioprinted CAVD model that potentiates microcalcification by mimicking the native AV mechanical environment. This work sheds light on valvular mechanobiology and could facilitate high-throughput drug-screening in CAVD.
The Protective Effect of Hesperidin on Methotrexate-Induced Intestinal Epithelial Damage in Rats: An Experimental Study

Objective: The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the efficacy of hesperidin (HES) in protecting against methotrexate (MTX)-induced intestinal damage using histopathological and immunohistochemical techniques. Materials and Methods: Seventy-eight male Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups that received (a) saline only (control group), n = 19; (b) HES only, n = 19; (c) MTX only, n = 19, and (d) MTX plus HES, n = 21. On the first day of the study, a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to group 3 and 4 rats. The HES (200 mg/kg) was administered by gavage for 5 days. For the MTX plus HES group, HES (200 mg/kg) was administered by gavage for 5 days after MTX treatment. Rats were sacrificed on the 2nd, 4th and 6th day of the study. Tissue samples from the jejunum were taken for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: On the 4th day, crypt injury in the MTX plus HES group (1.00 ± 0.00) was less than that in the MTX group (2.00 ± 0.89; p < 0.05). The small intestinal damage score was lower in the MTX plus HES group (6.33 ± 0.82) as compared to the MTX group (8.00 ± 2.37). Inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin-8 levels were lower in the MTX plus HES group (65 and 25%, respectively) as compared to the corresponding values of the MTX group (80 and 52.5%, respectively). On the 6th day, the Ki-67 proliferation index in the MTX group (45%) was lower than that in the MTX plus HES group (76.67%) and the control group (p < 0.05). The small intestinal damage score was high in the HES group on the 4th day due to increased cellular infiltration. On the 6th day, the Ki-67 proliferation index rose in parallel with the decrease in cellular infiltration and therefore histopathological scoring. The proliferation-enhancing effect of HES also appeared in healthy rats. Conclusion: HES seemed to have a protective effect against MTX-induced intestinal injury.
Cardiac Structural Remodeling, Longitudinal Systolic Strain, and Torsional Mechanics in Lean and Nonlean Dysglycemic Chinese Adults

Background: Diabetes mellitus and pre–diabetes mellitus are associated with lower body mass indices and increased risk of cardiovascular events (including heart failure) at lower glucose thresholds in Chinese compared with Western cohorts. However, the extent of cardiac remodeling and regulation on cardiac mechanics in lean and nonlean dysglycemic Chinese adults is understudied. Methods and Results: We studied 3950 asymptomatic Chinese (aged 49.7±10.7 years; 65% male; body mass index: 24.3±3.5 kg/m2) with comprehensive echocardiography including speckle tracking for left ventricular global longitudinal strain/torsion, with plasma sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) obtained. Participants were classified as (1) nondiabetic (fasting glucose <100 mg/mL; HbA1c <5.7%; n=1416), prediabetic (fasting glucose 100–126 mg/dL; HbA1c 5.7%–6.4%; n=2029), or diabetic (n=505) and (2) lean (body mass index <23 kg/m2; n=1445) or nonlean (n=2505). Higher sugar, HbA1c, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were independently associated with higher left ventricular mass, greater mass-to-volume ratio, more impaired diastolic indices, and worse global longitudinal strain even after adjusting for clinical covariates (adjusted coefficient value: 0.28/0.12 for global longitudinal strain per 1 U HbA1c/homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance increment; both P<0.001), with a consistent trend toward greater torsion (all trend P<0.001). The optimal cutoffs in identifying subclinical systolic dysfunction (global longitudinal strain more impaired than −18%) for lean versus nonlean individuals were 97 versus 106 mg/dL for fasting sugar, 130 versus 135 mg/mL for postprandial sugar, 5.62% versus 6.28% for HbA1c, and 1.81 versus 2.40 for homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, respectively. Conclusions: These data demonstrate the presence of preclinical cardiac remodeling and systolic dysfunction in prediabetic and diabetic Chinese adults, occurring at lower thresholds of glycemic indices than defined by international standards, particularly in lean individuals.
The effect of supernatant product of adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells and density gradient centrifugation preparation methods on pregnancy in intrauterine insemination cycles: An RCT

Background: One of the most important involved factors in pregnancy occurrence following intrauterine insemination (IUI) is semen sample preparation. Recently, supernatant product of adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (SPAS) method has been shown to improve semen parameters. Objective: To compare the effect of preparation methods in order to IUI, SPAS and density gradient centrifugation (DGC). Materials and Methods: This trial was done on 80 couples with male factor infertility who attend jihad daneshgahi infertility treatment center of Qom province, undergoing ovarian stimulation and IUI cycle. Various semen parameters including motility, count, DNA fragmentation and capacitation were evaluated before and after preparation. The effect of semen preparation methods and influence of various semen parameters on pregnancy occurrence were examined. Results: The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 17.5% per patient with no miscarriage. The pregnancy rate for DGC and SPAS were 5% (2 of 40) and 30% (12 of 40) respectively. Since there is no significant difference in improving motion parameters between two groups (except recovery of total number of motile spermatozoa), it seems that these parameters alone are not sufficient to predict IUI pregnancy outcome whereas in samples with >25 million motile spermatozoa in inseminate, there was a clear trend for a higher pregnancy rate for the sample processed using SPAS. Conclusion: Considering SPAS as a new and effective method leading to provide a combination of various improved semen parameters, is expected in near future.
Spot Price Modelling of Industrial Metals – An heterogeneous agent based model for Copper

We will show in this paper the role of inventories in explaining copper price volatility. Using a three factor model we derive a fundamental long-term value for copper. Second, we emphasis the significance of this fundamental long-term value by considering an agent based model approach in which mean-reversion focused fundamental investors trade with chartists who follow price trends. We show that fundamental investors take increasing positions in copper when the spot price of copper deviated from its fundamental value (i.e. the fundamental value is higher than the spot price) and chartists loose relative significance.
Feasible rate region of the MIMO broadcast channel with linear transceivers

Based on recent results for the vector broadcast channel (BC), the feasibility of the quality of service (QoS) optimization in the multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) BC with linear precoders and linear equalizers is investigated. Based on the observation that only single data stream transmission must be considered for feasibility, we find that the test for feasibility is the comparison of the sum of the transformed rate requirements with a bound given by the difference of the number of users and the degrees of freedom available at the BC transmitter, as long as the channel realization fulfills some regularity condition.
Increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis associated with high visceral adiposity index in apparently healthy Korean adults: the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study

Abstract Background: The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a mathematical tool that reflects a patient’s visceral adiposity and insulin resistance. Recent studies have noted an association between VAI and cardiovascular event. We analyzed the association between VAI and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in Korean adults. Methods: For 33,468 participants (mean age 42 yrs) in a health screening program, VAI was calculated using the following formulae: [waist circumference (WC)/{39.68 + (1.88 * body mass index (BMI))}] * (triglyceride/1.03) * {1.31/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)} for men and [WC/{36.58 + (1.89 * BMI)}] * (triglyceride/0.81) * (1.52/HDL-C) for women. Coronary artery calcium scores were measured with multi-detector computed tomography. Results: CACS was positively correlated with VAI (r = 0.027, p < 0.001). Subjects with 0 < CACS <100 and CACS ≥ 100 had significantly higher VAI compared to those with CACS = 0 (2.04 ± 1.97, 2.08 ± 1.67 vs. 1.68 ± 1.50, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analyses with CACS >0 as the dependent variable, subjects in the highest tertile of VAI (>1.777) had significantly increased odds ratio for CACS >0 compared to subjects in the lowest tertile (<0.967), even after adjusting for confounding variables, including BMI (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.147–1.381). Conclusions: Subjects with high VAI had increased risk for subclinical atherosclerosis, as assessed by CACS. Key messages Recent studies have noted an association between visceral adiposity index (VAI) and cardiovascular event. Subjects with coronary artery calcification (CAC) showed significantly higher VAI compared to those without CAC. The subjects with high VAI showed increased odds ratio for CAC as compared to subjects with low VAI, suggesting high VAI reflects increased risk for subclinical atherosclerosis
Preventive effects of Tongfu Xiere Enteroclysis Mixture on postoperative intestinal adhesion

Intestinal adhesion is one of the most common complications after abdominal surgeries with high morbidity. Previous studies have shown that it is critical to the maintenance of intestinal epithelial barrier. However, the treatment is still controversial. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used as a adjuvant therapy for postoperative intestinal adhesion (POIA) and its effectiveness is quite satisfactory. Tongfu Xiere Enteroclysis Mixture (TXEM) is a hospital preparation in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and showed a significant curative effect in the treatment of POIA. In order to investigate the effects of TXEM for prevention of POIA and observe the pathogenic mechanism, we ran the experiment. 50 SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, i.e. GI, GII, GIII, GIV, GV. GI and GII were POIA model group administered with highand low-dose TXEM respectively. GIII was POIA model group administered with normal saline (NS). GIV was sham operation group and Group GV was normal rats as reference, once daily, from the 2nd day after the establishment of POIA for total 14 days. Secretory ImmunoglobulinA (sIgA), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured by immunological and biotechnology methods after the experiment. The pathological morphology in small and large intestine of rats were observed and compared under microscope. According to the adhesion score standard described by Bhatia, GI and GII had less severe than grade1 compared to GIII and reduced the inflammatory responses as indicated by the chronic inflammatory cells in the lamina propria of small intestine and the proliferation and congestion of the blood capillary in the submucosa of large intestine. Tongfu Xiere Enteroclysis Mixture could down-regulate the content of ET-1 and NO and up-regulate the content of IL-4, IL-10 and SIgA in POIA rats (P<0.05). Our results demonstrate TXEM can improve the anti-inflammatory action and immune responses in rats and protect intestinal epithelial barrier and prevent the occurrence of inflammation, thus to prevent and treat POIA.
Enslavement of Wireless Sensor Network to an RF Energy Harvesting System

The abundance of telecommunications systems makes it possible to have somewhat significant quantity of radiofrequency energy in the environment. This energy can be recycled to power ultra-low-power devices such as Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). In this paper, the performance of a miniature RF/DC converter is evaluated in order to enslave a WSN’s per-formance to the amount of the recovered energy. More precisely, a highly sensitive and efficient rectifier is designed to achieve optimum performance in the GSM band. The design method relies on a judicious choice of the rectifying diode which is the basis of most losses in a rectifying antenna (rectenna). Optimum performance is achieved by using the gradient method search proposed in the Advanced Design System (ADS) software. A rectifier based on Schottky diodes HSMS 2850 used in a voltage doubler topology is thus obtained. A maximum RF/DC conversion efficiency of 36% is reached for an RF input power level of 10 dBm. An energy budget of a sensor node in a WSN having an equitable distribution of network loads is then defined and used to evaluate the performance of the WSN regarding the distance at which the Base Station (BS) can be located. The Low Energy Adaptive Clustering Hierarchy (LEACH) protocol is used for this purpose. The distance separating the WSN from the BS is used as the enslavement parameter. Our analysis shows that increasing the duration of each round results in an increase in the range of the WSN. As an example, a network with 100 nodes distributed over an area of may be located at 1.3 km from the base station when each node of the WSN must perform measurements every 1 min.
Gestational age and birth weight centiles of singleton babies delivered normally following spontaneous labor, in Southern Sri Lanka

Aims To estimate the gestational age and birth weight centiles of babies delivered normally, without any obstetric intervention, in women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies establishing spontaneous onset of labour. Method Consecutive women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies, attending the Academic Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit of the Teaching Hospital Mahamodara Galle, Sri Lanka, with confirmed dates and establishing spontaneous onset of labor and delivering vaginally between gestational age of 34 - 41 weeks, without any obstetric intervention , during the period September 2013 to February 2014 were studied. The gestational age at spontaneous onset of labor and vaginal delivery and the birth weights of the babies were recorded. Results There were 3294 consecutive deliveries during this period, and of them 1602 (48.6%) met the inclusion criteria. Median gestational age at delivery was 275 days (range 238-291 days, IQR 269 to 280 days) and the median birth weight was 3000 g (range1700g - 4350g; IQR 2750-3250g). The 10th, 50th and 90th birth weight centiles of the babies delivered at a gestational age of 275 days were approximately 2570g, 3050g and 3550g respectively. Conclusions The median gestational age among women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies who established spontaneous onset of labor and delivered vaginally, without any obstetric intervention, was approximately five days shorter than the traditionally accepted 280 days. At a gestational age of 275 days, the mean birth weight was approximately 3038g and the 50th centile of the birth weight of the babies delivered was approximately 3050g.
Assessing the Extent of Labour Hoarding

The strength of employment during the recent slowdown is sometimes taken as evidence of labour hoarding. But the extent of such hoarding is difficult to measure. This article reviews different definitions of labour hoarding and a variety of ways of measuring it using aggregate data. Most of these measures indicate that labour has been underutilised during the recent slowdown, implying that firms have indeed hoarded labour to some extent. However, the magnitude of the reduction in utilisation differs across these measures. The evidence also suggests that the recent decrease in utilisation has been limited compared with previous episodes in which labour utilisation was significantly below trend.
A new resource to study the health of Veterans in Ontario

Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health doi:10.3138/jmvfh.1. 1.3 1(1) 2015 4 1. MacLean MB, Poirier A, O’Connor T. Province of residence at release and post-release: data from the Income Study. Life After Service Studies Secondary Analysis (2011 Series – Release 2). Charlottetown (PE). Research Directorate, Veterans Affairs Canada. Research Directorate Technical Report; 2011 Mar 02. 2. Van Til L, Macintosh S, Thompson JM, MacLean MB, Campbell L, Sudom K, Dursun S, Herron M, Pedlar D. 2013 Synthesis of Life After Service Studies. Charlottetown (PE): Veterans Affairs Canada, Research Directorate Synthesis Report; 2014 Jul 03. 3. Thompson JM, Van Til L, Poirier A, et al. Health and well-being of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans: findings from the 2013 Life After Service Survey. Charlottetown (PE): Research Directorate, Veterans Affairs Canada. Research Directorate Technical Report; 2014 Jul 03. 4. MacLean MB, Van Til L, Thompson JM, Poirier A, Sweet J, Adams J, Sudom K, Campbell C, Murphy B, Dionne C & Pedlar D. Income study: regular force Veteran report. Veterans Affairs Canada, Research Directorate and Department of National Defence, Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis; 2011 Jan 04. 5. ICES data dictionary [Internet]. 2014. Available from: https://datadictionary.ices. on.ca/Applications/DataDictionary/Default.aspx 4 With the rich sources of national and provincial data housed at ICES, 5 we now have the ability to study a multitude of health outcomes in a large group of Veterans in Ontario. This includes the ability to study diagnostic and treatment patterns and compare outcomes with the civilian population. The following examples are only the tip of the iceberg of the illnesses that may be studied.