Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Mediates Retinal Apoptosis in Ischemic Proliferative Retinopathy

Ischemic proliferative retinopathy (e.g., diabetes mellitus, retinopathy of prematurity, or retinal vein occlusion) is a major cause of blindness worldwide. Apart from neovascularization, ischemic proliferative retinopathy leads to retinal degeneration. Apoptosis has been ascribed to be the leading mechanism in ischemic retinal degeneration. We showed recently that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is expressed in the avascular retina in proliferative retinopathy in vivo and that iNOS expression in retinal glial cells is responsible for retinal neuronal cell death in vitro. Here we show that retinal apoptosis and subsequent degeneration occur in the murine model of ischemic proliferative retinopathy. Furthermore, because NO can have beneficial or detrimental effects in the retina, we analyzed the role of iNOS on retinal apoptosis in ischemic proliferative retinopathy. Using iNOS knock-out mice and iNOS inhibitor 1400W, we demonstrate in vivothat iNOS expression induces apoptosis locally in the inner nuclear layer of the avascular retina and that protein nitration may be involved in this process. These findings are the first evidence for retinal apoptosis in an animal model of ischemic proliferative retinopathy, demonstrating that iNOS plays a crucial role not only in retinal neovascular disease but also in retinal degeneration. We show that it is an ideal target to protect the hypoxic retina from degeneration and to improve its vascularization.
Analysis of customer satisfaction from Chinese reviews using opinion mining

This paper proposes an approach to analyze customer satisfaction from Chinese reviews using opinion mining. Opinion mining technology is adopted to analyze customer satisfaction and discover useful information that can provide decision support. The proposed approach first extracts and groups the aspects simultaneously through a topic model based method. Then utilizing sentence based opinion mining method to calculate sentiment score of each aspect as its satisfaction ratio, after that showing the most satisfied and unsatisfied feature in graphical format. Finally, utilizing customer reviews of a mobile phone from Taobao.com, a case study is presented to illustrate effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Revised analysis of the (1+1) ea for the minimum spanning tree problem

We revisit the classical analysis of the (1+1) EA for the minimum spanning tree problem in the case that nothing is known about the weights of the underlying graph. Here the original upper bound on the expected running time by Neumann and Wegener [Theor. Comput. Sci. 378(1), 32-40, 2007], which depends on the largest weight of the graph, is of no use. The best upper bound available before in this case is due to Reichel and Skutella [FOGA 2009, 21-28] and is of order O(m3 \log n), where m is the number of edges and n the number of vertices. Using an adaptive drift analysis, we show the improved bound O(m2 (sqrt{c(G)} + \log n)), where c(G) is the circumference (length of the longest cycle) of the graph. This is only by an asymptotic factor of at most sqrt{n}/\log n away from the classical lower bound. Furthermore, an alternative fitness function leading to the bound O(m2\log n) is proposed, and limitations of the adaptive drift analysis are pointed out.
Frequency study for the characterization of the dysphonic voices

Concerned with pathological voice assessment, this paper aims at characterizing dysphonia in the frequency domain for a better understanding of relating phenomena while most of the studies have focused only on improving classification systems for diagnosis help purposes. In this context, a GMM-based automatic classification system is applied on different frequency ranges in order to investigate which ones are relevant for dysphonia characterization. Experiment results demonstrate that the low frequencies [0-3000]Hz are more relevant for dysphonia discrimination compared with higher frequencies.
Modulated Model Predictive Control for a Three-Phase Active Rectifier

Model predictive control (MPC) has a number of desirable attributes which are difficult to achieve with classical converter control techniques. Unfortunately, the nature of power electronics imposes restriction to the method, as a result of the limited number of available converter states. This, combined with the spread spectrum nature of harmonics inherent with the strategy, complicates further design. This paper presents a method for removing this characteristic without compromising the desirable functionality of predictive control. The method, named modulated MPC, is applied to a two-level three-phase converter and compared with a number of similar approaches. Experimental results are used to support theoretical analysis and simulation studies.
Quantification of Surface Roughness of Lava Flows on Mars

i Summary for Lay Audience . ii Co-Authorship Statement . iii Acknowledgments . iv List of Tables . viii List of Figures . x List of Appendices . xv Chapter 1 . 1
Automatic Time Series Forecasting: The forecast Package for R

Automatic forecasts of large numbers of univariate time series are often needed in business and other contexts. We describe two automatic forecasting algorithms that have been implemented in the forecast package for R. The first is based on innovations state space models that underly exponential smoothing methods. The second is a step-wise algorithm for forecasting with ARIMA models. The algorithms are applicable to both seasonal and non-seasonal data, and are compared and illustrated using four real time series. We also briefly describe some of the other functionality available in the forecast package.
ADRBD 1 ( GRK 2 ) , TBXA 2 R and VEGFA rSNPs in KLF 4 and SP 1 TFBS Exhibit Linkage Disequilibrium

The adrenergic receptor kinase 1 (ADRBK1), thromboxane A2 receptor (TBXA2R) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) regulatory (r) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found in the potential stimulating protein-1 (SP1) and Kruppel-like factor-4 (KLF4) transcriptional factor binding sites (TFBS) within these genes are in linkage disequilibrium (LD). The LD may result from rSNP alleles that create TFBS for the KLF4 and SP1 transcriptional factors (TF) since the alternate rSNP alleles do not create these TFBS. Consequently, haplotypes carrying the rSNP alleles that create KLF4 and SP1 TFBS are essential for ADRBK1, TBXA2R and VEGFA gene regulation by these TFs.
Blood Management Strategies in Total Knee Arthroplasty

A perioperative blood management program is one of a number of important elements for successful patient care in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and surgeons should be proactive in its application. The aims of blood conservation are to reduce the risk of blood transfusion whilst at the same time maximizing hemoglobin (Hb) in the postoperative period, leading to a positive effect on outcome and cost. An individualized strategy based on patient specific risk factors, anticipated blood loss and comorbidities are useful in achieving this aim. Multiple blood conservation strategies are available in the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods and can be employed in various combinations. Recent literature has highlighted the importance of preoperative Hb optimization, minimizing blood loss and evidence-based transfusion guidelines. Given TKA is an elective procedure, a zero allogenic blood transfusion rate should be the aim and an achievable goal.
Hedonic Price Estimation for Commodities: An Application to Cotton

A model of hedonic prices Â– implicit prices of embodied quality attributes Â– was developed for cotton lint and the relative importance of various quality attributes were estimated with regression analysis from sample data on observed sales of cotton. Results indicated that producer prices were sensitive to variations in fiber length, micronaire, and trash content. Results also revealed differences in relative importance and sensitivity between years.
Chapter 0 Interference Alignment for UWB-MIMO Communication Systems

Due to the enormous occupied bandwidth even by a single pair of UWB users, one major scientific challenge in UWB communications is interference management. Recently, Interference Alignment (IA) has become popular not only to well manage the interference, but also to optimally exploit the possible capacity gain caused by multiple pairs of transmitters and receivers. Theoretically, IA scales the channel capacity by K/2, where K is the number of user pairs. This fact makes IA highly attractive for future communication systems with numerous pairs of users. However, in the literature it has been reported that IA is not robust [7] against imperfections such as channel estimation errors. Thanks to the interdisciplinary research of antenna, communication and hardware engineers within the UKoLoS project Decimus, we were able to jointly search for solutions to improve IA robustness while not suffering from too perfect simulation idealities or too unrealistic hardware requirements. We find that antenna or pattern selection is a promising approach to improving the robustness of IA while keeping the underlying algorithms at a reasonable complexity and feasibility for implementation. Our contribution is structured as follows: first, a brief introduction of IA tailored to UWB is given. Then, we propose an antenna selection algorithm with low complexity and demonstrate its performance. In the third chapter a general methodology of MIMO UWB antenna design for orthogonal channels maximizing the channel capacity is presented. A first outcome of this methodology is a multi-mode orthogonal antenna which has been used for the investigated antenna selection approach. At last, the hardware requirements of IA systems with the proposed antenna selection method are studied. A conclusion summarizes the outcomes of our contribution.
An Implicit Time-Stepping Method for Multibody Systems with Intermittent Contact

In this paper we present an implicit time-stepping scheme for multibody systems with intermittent contact by incorporating the contact constraints as a set of complementarity and algebraic equations within the dynamics model. Two primary sources of stability and accuracy problems in prior time stepping schemes for differential complementarity models of multibody systems are the use of polyhedral representations of smooth bodies and the approximation of the distance function (arising from the decoupling of collision detection from the solution of the dynamic time-stepping subproblem). Even the simple example of a disc rolling on a table without slip encounters these problems. We assume each object to be a convex object described by an intersection of convex inequalities. We write the contact constraints as complementarity constraints between the contact force and a distance function dependent on the closest points on the objects. The closest points satisfy a set of algebraic constraints obtained from the KKT conditions of the minimum distance problem. These algebraic equations and the complementarity constraints taken together ensure satisfaction of the contact constraints. This enables us to formulate a geometrically implicit time-stepping scheme (i.e., we do not need to approximate the distance function) as a nonlinear complementarity problem (NCP). The resulting time-stepper is therefore more accurate; further it is the first geometrically implicit time-stepper that does not rely on a closed form expression for the distance function. We demonstrate through example simulations the fidelity of this approach to analytical solutions and previously described simulation results.
Promotion of intestinal carcinogenesis by dietary methionine.

The metabolism of the polyamines spermidine and spermine is known to be enhanced in rapidly proliferating cells. Methionine is a precursor of the aminopropyl moieties of these amines. Therefore, it was of interest to study the effects of a methionine supplemented diet on polyamine metabolism and preneoplastic changes occurring in the intestinal tract of rats treated with the chemical carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM). Adult Wistar rats received 15 mg AOM/kg body wt (i.p.) once each week for 2 weeks. Thereafter, the rats were randomly divided into two groups and received controlled isoenergetic diets containing the same amount of folate, choline and vitamin B12 during 12 weeks: one group was kept on a standard diet; the other was fed the same diet, except that 1% L-methionine was added at the expense of carbohydrates. After 12 weeks, the administration of the methionine-supplemented diet stimulated the turnover rate of ileal epithelial cells, indicating enhanced crypt cell proliferation. Furthermore, in this group, a 2-fold increase in the number of aberrant hyperproliferative crypts and the appearance of tumors was observed in the colon. These effects were accompanied by the increased formation of spermidine and spermine due to the enhancement of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity and by the upregulation of Cdx-1, a homeobox gene with oncogenic potentials. The experimental data do not support the view of a chemopreventive effect of dietary methionine supplementation on intestinal carcinogenesis in rats, even at an early phase of preneoplastic development, but rather suggest that methionine promotes intestinal carcinogenesis.
IS THE MUCH DISCUSSED AGILITY OF CORPORATE REAL ESTATE VISIBLE IN PRACTICE? AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUSINESS METRICS AND SURPLUS PROPERTY

Very little work has been undertaken on the consequences of economic recession on Corporate Real Estate (CRE) and its realignment following strategy changes. Only those CRE portfolios with short term leases have a dynamic alignment capability allowing them to readily adjust to change. For those with longer leases this leads to the creation of a surplus property provision (SPP). This paper analyses the relationship between SPP and metrics for business and CRE through a period of significant change, by examining company annual reports using a distributed time lag auto-regression model. The results show an inverse relationship between SPP and profits but a positive relationship with both turnover and employment, suggesting that declining profits trigger the re-shaping of CRE. SPP is used to provide portfolio flexibility because of the lack of dynamic alignment capability. SPP increases as the commitment to short leases (<5 years) increases. The estimated time for SPP to revert to zero ranges from 3 to 9 years, but one category, financial services, is continuing to increase its liability. CRE agility has yet to be visible in the financial reports of companies, suggesting its impact remains limited, indicating the relationship between business parameters and CRE is more complicated than envisaged.
A set of recommendations for the control of IPTV-systems via smart phones based on the understanding of users practices and needs

This paper describes recommendations for the design of a smart phone application enabling users to control IPTV-systems including all connected devices. Recommendations are based on findings from a media study focusing on how people currently use their IPTV systems and associated devices in their homes. The media study applied an ethnographic oriented method called playful probing. From the user's perspective the ideal smart phone application provides them on a general level with a simplified set of (touch-enabled) buttons to control and navigate. The application should support them in their most frequent tasks (e.g. watching TV, listening to music) and overall shall enhance the experience by providing additional information to the TV channel currently selected, by supporting their need for privacy and by allowing them to achieve a certain level of security. In terms of interaction techniques, users prefer flexible touch interaction and (a limited set of) speech commands over gesture, with the exception of being able to directly point at a device to identify it for direct control.
Terrestrial basking sea turtles are responding to spatio-temporal sea surface temperature patterns

Naturalists as early as Darwin observed terrestrial basking in green turtles (Chelonia mydas), but the distribution and environmental influences of this behaviour are poorly understood. Here, we examined 6 years of daily basking surveys in Hawaii and compared them with the phenology of local sea surface temperatures (SST). Data and models indicated basking peaks when SST is coolest, and we found this timeline consistent with bone stress markings. Next, we assessed the decadal SST profiles for the 11 global green turtle populations. Basking generally occurs when winter SST falls below 23°C. From 1990 to 2014, the SST for these populations warmed an average 0.04°C yr−1 (range 0.01–0.09°C yr−1); roughly three times the observed global average over this period. Owing to projected future warming at basking sites, we estimated terrestrial basking in green turtles may cease globally by 2100. To predict and manage for future climate change, we encourage a more detailed understanding for how climate influences organismal biology.
Significance of eft Atrial Remodeling in Competitive Athletes

OBJECTIVES In the present study we assessed the distribution and clinical significance of left atrial (LA) size in the context of athlete’s heart and the differential diagnosis from structural heart disease, as well as the proclivity to supraventricular arrhythmias. BACKGROUND The prevalence, clinical significance, and long-term arrhythmic consequences of LA enlargement in competitive athletes are unresolved. METHODS We assessed LA dimension and the prevalence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in 1,777 competitive athletes (71% of whom were males), free of structural cardiovascular disease, that were participating in 38 different sports. RESULTS The LA dimension was 23 to 50 mm (mean, 37 4 mm) in men and 20 to 46 mm (mean, 32 4 mm) in women and was enlarged (i.e., transverse dimension 40 mm) in 347 athletes (20%), including 38 (2%) with marked dilation ( 45 mm). Of the 1,777 athletes, only 14 (0.8%) had documented, symptomatic episodes of either paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (n 5; 0.3%) or supraventricular tachycardia (n 9; 0.5%), which together occurred in a similar proportion in athletes with (0.9%) or without (0.8%; p NS) LA enlargement. Multivariate regression analysis showed LA enlargement in athletes was largely explained by left ventricular cavity enlargement (R 0.53) and participation in dynamic sports (such as cycling, rowing/canoeing) but minimally by body size. CONCLUSIONS In a large population of highly trained athletes, enlarged LA dimension 40 mm was relatively common (20%), with the upper limits of 45 mm in women and 50 mm in men distinguishing physiologic cardiac remodeling (“athlete’s heart”) from pathologic cardiac conditions. Atrial fibrillation and other supraventricular tachyarrhythmias proved to be uncommon (prevalence 1%) and similar to that in the general population, despite the frequency of LA enlargement. Left atrial remodeling in competitive athletes may be regarded as a physiologic adaptation to exercise conditioning, largely without adverse clinical consequences. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2005;46:690–6) © 2005 by the American College of ublished by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.jacc. 2005.04. 052
BAKING QUALITY OF WHEAT GRAIN AS INFLUENCED BY AGRICULTURE SYSTEMS , WEATHER AND STORING CONDITIONS

The basic principle of the production of a good quality bakery product is the knowledge of the quality parameters of raw materials introduced in the production process and the ability to use their potential to the maximum. The aim of the study was to establish influence of agriculture systems and weather conditions on grain quality. The particular parameters of bread wheat baking quality were studied and evaluated in 2010, 2011 and 2012 under long-term storing. The effect of each factor was calculated for all experiment variants as the initial of grain baking properties and the changing of these indicators over the 12-month storage. Among the growth factors (agriculture systems and weather conditions) the weather conditions of the growing season were more significant, determining the quality of just harvested grain at 46-53%, while agriculture systems, including such components as fertilizing and plant protection system had a share of only 40-48% to determine suitability of grain to the baking industry. Among the tested storage factors terms of storage were more significant for grain harvested at all studied agriculture systems. As a result, selection of the right combination of grain storage modes and terms together with the original grain quality can help to achieve better safety of grain technological properties during the storage period.
Direct Torque Control of Brushless DC Motor with Non-sinusoidal Back-EMF

In this paper, a direct torque control (DTC) technique for brushless dc (BLDC) motors with non-sinusoidal back-EMF operating in the constant torque region is presented. This approach introduces a two-phase conduction mode as opposed to the conventional three-phase DTC drives. In this control scheme, only two phases conduct at any instant of time. Unlike conventional six-step PWM current control, by properly selecting the inverter voltage space vectors of the two-phase conduction mode from a simple look-up table at a predefined sampling time, the desired quasi-square wave current is obtained. Therefore, a much faster torque response is achieved compared to conventional PWM current control. In this paper, it is also shown that in the constant torque region under the two-phase conduction DTC scheme, the amplitude of the stator flux linkage cannot easily be controlled due to the sharp changes and the curved shape of the flux vector between two consecutive commutation points in the stator flux linkage locus. Furthermore, to eliminate the lowfrequency torque oscillations caused by the non-ideal trapezoidal shape of the actual back-EMF waveform of the BLDC motor, a pre-stored back-EMF versus position look-up table is designed. As a result, it is possible to achieve DTC of a BLDC motor drive with faster torque response due to the fact that the voltage space vectors are directly controlled while the stator flux linkage amplitude is deliberately kept almost constant by ignoring the flux control in the constant torque region. Since the flux control along with PWM generation is removed, fewer algorithms are required for the proposed control scheme. A theoretical concept is developed and the validity and effectiveness of the proposed DTC scheme are verified through the simulations and experimental results.
Team formation and biased self-attribution

We analyze the impact of individuals' self-attribution biases on the formation of teams in the workplace. We consider a two periods model in which workers jointly decide whether to form a team or work alone. We assume workers' abilities are unknown. Agents update their beliefs about abilities after receiving a signal at the end of the first period. We show that allowing workers to learn about their abilities undermines cooperation when a fixed allocation of the group outcome is assumed. Consistent with the latter finding, we establish that making learning about workers' abilities less accessible increases workers' cooperation and welfare. When workers suffer from selfserving attribution, cooperation among agents is undermined whatever the allocation rule considered for the group outcome. We analyze possible solutions to insufficient teamwork. We find that team contracts based on a revelation game can improve cooperation as well as the presence of a manager in the team. Full efficiency is however never achieved. Our paper establishes a basic framework to analyze necessary psychological conditions for individuals to form teams. We apply our model to coauthorship and to organizational issues.