Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulation of Two-Phase Flow Behavior under Earthquake Acceleration

Fluctuation of void faction is an important factor for the safety operation of the nuclear reactor, and fluctuation of void fraction is related to behavior of gas-liquid two-phase flow. In case of the earthquake, the fluctuation is not only the flow rate, but also body force on the two-phase flow and shear force through a pipe wall. Interactions of gas and liquid through their interface also act on the behavior of the two-phase flow. The fluctuation of the void fraction is not clear for such complicated situation under the earthquake. Therefore, the behavior of gas-liquid two-phase flow is investigated experimentally and numerically in a series of study. In this study, to develop the prediction technology of two-phase flow dynamics under earthquake acceleration, a detailed two-phase flow simulation code with an advanced interface tracking method TPFIT was expanded to two-phase flow simulation under earthquake conditions. The bubbly flow in a horizontal pipe excited by oscillation acceleration and under the fluctuation of the liquid flow was simulated by using the expanded TPFIT. And the influence of acceleration, the fluctuation of flow rate and the fluctuation of share force though a pipe wall were investigated in the numerical simulations.
Long-Term Sea-Level Fluctuations Driven by Ocean Basin Dynamics

Earth's long-term sea-level history is characterized by widespread continental flooding in the Cretaceous period (∼145 to 65 million years ago), followed by gradual regression of inland seas. However, published estimates of the Late Cretaceous sea-level high differ by half an order of magnitude, from ∼40 to ∼250 meters above the present level. The low estimate is based on the stratigraphy of the New Jersey margin. By assimilating marine geophysical data into reconstructions of ancient ocean basins, we model a Late Cretaceous sea level that is 170 (85 to 270) meters higher than it is today. We use a mantle convection model to suggest that New Jersey subsided by 105 to 180 meters in the past 70 million years because of North America's westward passage over the subducted Farallon plate. This mechanism reconciles New Jersey margin–based sea-level estimates with ocean basin reconstructions.
Fructose Feeding in the Suckling-Weaning Transition in Rats: Effects on Hyperlipidemia in Adulthood

The sucking-weaning transition is characterized by high rates of growth and development and may be a sensitive period during which dietary intake could program metabolism to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in adulthood. Intake of a high fructose (FR) diet is known to induce hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance in rats when they are consuming this diet. We examined whether a FR diet fed early in life produces detrimental changes in lipid and glucose metabolism that persist to adulthood. Weanling rats were fed 65% FR (wt/wt), a purified control diet (CNTL) or standard chow (CHOW) for 5 weeks. Beyond 9 weeks of age, all rats were fed CHOW. During FR feeding, plasma triglycerides (TG) were significantly elevated in the FR group (FR = 217 ± 20; CNTL = 163 ± 17; chow = 156 ± 10). At 21 wks of age, TG’s were similar in rats fed FR or CNTL versus CHOW at weaning (p > 0.87). Hepatic fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity was elevated in FR and CNTL groups vs. CHOW (65 ± 7, 72 ± 6 vs. 48 ± 4 nmol NADPH/mg protein/min, p < 0.01). There were no differences in indices of glucose homeostasis at 21 weeks of age. Early exposure to a diet high in simple sugars (FR or CNTL) and/or low in fiber during the suckling-weaning transition may contribute to modest dyslipidemia later in life. Together, changes observed in this study may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.
Intellectual Property and Agricultural Science and Innovation in Germany and the United States

In the 1950s and 1960s, prominent institutional economists in the United States offered what became the orthodox theory on the obstacles to commercializing scientific knowledge. According to this theory, scientific knowledge has inherent qualities that make it a public good. Since the 1970s, however, neoliberalism has emphasized the need to convert public goods to private goods to enhance economic growth, and this theory has had global impacts on policies governing the generation and diffusion of scientific research and innovation. We critique the foundational conceptualizations of scientific knowledge as either public or private by examining Germany’s treatment of scientific outputs as club goods. We then compare the relative impacts on social welfare of distinct United States and German approaches to food and agricultural research and innovation. We conclude with reflections on how these findings might contribute to a democratic debate on how best to manage scientific knowledge to enhance social welfare.
Measuring the Severity of Topical 5-Fluorouracil Toxicity

Background: Topical 5% 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is known to cause toxicity, such as erythema, pain, and crusting/erosions. Objectives: We sought to develop a scale to measure this toxicity and test the scale for reliability. Methods: A scale was developed involving four parameters: erythema severity, percentage of face involved in erythema, crusting/erosions severity, and percentage of face involved in crusting/erosions. Thirteen raters graded 99 sets of photographs from the Veterans Affairs Keratinocyte Carcinoma Chemoprevention (VAKCC) Trial using these parameters. Results: Intraclass correlation overall for 13 raters was 0.82 (95% CI 0.77–0.86). There was no statistically significant trend in reliability by level of training in dermatology. Conclusions: This scale is a reliable method of evaluating the severity of toxicity from topical 5-fluorouracil and can be used by dermatologists and nondermatologists alike.
Towards a perpetual wireless sensor node

We report our experimental findings on a perpetual wireless sensor node. Our perpetual node is based on the integration of a wireless sensor node that runs IEEE 802.15. 4e technology on TI's MSP430 with a solar energy harvesting module that is based on TI's bq25504 modules. We show that by default running the time synchronized channel hopping (TSCH) MAC layer draws more power than the harvester is able to provide. To close that gap, enhancements that improve the power efficiency of TSCH protocol are described and results are presented. The enhancements proposed consist of shared slot suppression, slotframe skipping, and connection setup time reduction. It is shown that even with these enhancements consumed power is still greater than harvested power. We provide future directions on how to further reduce consumed power at the node.
LG3 fragment of endorepellin is a possible biomarker of severity in IgA nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the most common primary glomerulonephritis, is characterized by deposition of IgA in the glomerular mesangium. The diagnosis of IgAN still requires a kidney biopsy that cannot easily be repeated in the same patient during follow‐up. Therefore, identification of noninvasive urinary biomarkers would be very useful for monitoring patients with IgAN. We first used bidimensional electrophoresis (2DE) coupled to MALDI‐TOF‐TOF and Western blot to identify some urinary biomarkers associated with IgAN. Urine of IgAN patients showed an increase of albumin fragments, α‐1‐antitrypsin and α‐1‐β‐glycoprotein, along with a decrease of a single spot that was identified as the laminin G‐like 3 (LG3) fragment of endorepellin. The urinary proteomes of 43 IgAN patients were compared to those of 30 healthy individuals by ELISA. Quantification of LG3 confirmed a significant decrease in the urine of IgAN patients compared to healthy controls, except in ten patients in whom LG3 was increased. These ten patients had a more severe disease with lower glomerular filtration rate values. We found a significant inverse correlation between LG3 levels and glomerular filtration rate in the 43 patients with IgAN, which was not observed in 65 patients with other glomerular diseases including membranous nephropathy (23), lupus nephropathy (13), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (15), diabetic nephropathy (14), and six patients with nonglomerular diseases. Therefore, we suggest that the LG3 fragment of endorepellin could be associated with IgAN severity and might be related to pathogenesis of IgAN.
An Architecture to Enable Lifetime Testing in CMPs

As CMOS technology scaling continues to low nanometers, aging and device wear-out related degradation is a looming concern. With device wear-out mechanisms such as NBTI and PBTI, catalyzed by higher temperature, transistor performance worsens with time. Similarly with electromigration, interconnects become increasingly resistive until they become non-functional. Such phenomena initially manifest as delay defects, which in the due course of time turn into permanent defects. Online testing is needed to avert situations in which such defects show up as errors during operation. In this paper we propose an architecture that can assist online testing at various levels in a Chip Multiprocessor (CMP). The proposed solution revolves around the incorporation of a small and simple, functionally limited core called the Sentry Core (SC) in the CMP. This core is responsible for assisting with testing of the functional cores in a CMP. Since SC is small, it is assumed to be hardened during design and remain fault-free during useful lifetime of the chip. We explore two of the many possible online testing schemes possible with this architecture. In the first scheme, we explore the use of SC in triggering opportunistic DMR to verify functional correctness of the cores. In the second scheme, we evaluate the effectiveness of the SC in monitoring and potentially detecting errors in operation of the cache coherence protocol. Results indicate that even though incorporation of the SC results in an area overhead in the CMP, the rich functionality it provides with respect to testing and fault tolerance justifies this cost.
Optimal control using Particle Swarm Optimization: Case study: Bilocal constrained problem for a DC motor

This paper has as a start point the metaheuristic Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), which has very good abilities to solve many types of optimization problems. As a main contribution, this work proposes an intelligent algorithm derived from PSO. This algorithm has two main characteristics. The first one consists in the use of an improved version of PSO, namely Hybrid Topology Particle Swarm Optimization (HTPSO). The second characteristic is related to the kind of solved problems. The algorithm is devoted to the optimal control problems, even those who handle bilocal constraints concerning the state variables. In order to prove its efficiency, the HTPSO algorithm was tested on many optimal control problems. A case study is presented in the second part of this paper: the optimal control problem for a DC motor with bilocal constraints. In addition to the initial conditions, there are also final conditions related to the state variables. Emphasis is placed on the use of an extended objective function.
Obtaining Informationally Consistent Decisions When Computing Costs with Limited Information

We demonstrate the need to view in a dynamic context any decision based on limited information. We focus on the use of product costs in selecting the product portfolio. We show how ex post data regarding the actual costs from implementing the decision leads to updating of product cost estimates and potentially trigger a revision of the initial decision. We model this updating process as a discrete dynamical system (DDS). We define a decision as informationally consistent if it is a fixed‐point solution to the DDS. We employ numerical analysis to characterize the existence and properties of such solutions. We find that fixed points are rare, but that simple heuristics find them often and quickly. We demonstrate the usefulness and robustness of our methodology by examining the interaction of limited information with multiple decision rules (heuristics) and problem features (size of product portfolio, profitability of product markets). We discuss implications for research on cost systems.
Ultrasonic Attenuation Estimation in Small Plaque Samples Using a Power Difference Method

Many studies have shown that atherosclerosis changes the ultrasonic attenuation properties of the vessel wall and plaque. Accurate estimation of the attenuation coefficient slope could therefore provide an early indication of atherosclerosis and the differentiation between low, mild and highly-attenuating plaque within the vessel. However, the traditional reference phantom method that fits the power spectrum in a region of interest fails to accurately estimate the attenuation coefficient for small irregular shaped ex-vivo plaque specimens. This discrepancy was primarily due to partial volume effects and the unknown backscatter coefficient of the plaque sample. We have developed a method based on the reference-phantom method that utilizes the difference in the acoustic power above and below the sample to accurately compute values of the attenuation coefficient ex vivo. Our results demonstrate that this approach overcomes the two drawbacks mentioned earlier and provides accurate estimates of the attenuation coefficient slope for small excised tissue samples.
A 22-30GHz balanced SiGe BiCMOS frequency doubler with 47dBc suppression and low input drive power

A broadband balanced frequency doubler has been fabricated in 0.25-µm SOI SiGe BiCMOS technology to operate from 22GHz to 30GHz with low input drive power. Its fundamental frequency suppression of better than 30dBc can be achieved by an internal low pass LC filter in the 22–30GHz; moreover, maximum suppression is 47dBc in the operation band. In addition, a pair of SLCC (Series LC Circuit) parallel with the up input can result in high suppression with low input drive power. Maximum conversion gain of −6dB can be obtained in the input drive power as low as −1dBm.
Parents' and Teachers' Perceptions of Effective Communication in Two Schools in One Division in Virginia.

Parents often perceive schools as the sole educator of their child when in actuality the school prefers parents to be involved as partners in the learning process (Comer & Haynes, 1991). Likewise, schools make the assumption that parents realize their role in the learning process, but do not effectively communicate the partnership to parents, and misconceptions about the parents’ and teachers’ roles and behaviors arise. Research has shown that both schools and parents have a major influence on children as they develop and that they learn best when schools and parents work together (Comer & Haynes, 1991). The purpose of this study was to examine parent and teacher perceptions of effective communication. This was a non-experimental quantitative study that compared the differences between parents’ and teachers’ perceptions of effective communication. The study consisted of a survey for parents and teachers on a Likert scale. The survey data were compared through the use of the t-test statistic and a One-Way Analysis of Variance. The information discovered in this study will allow the researcher to bridge the learning gap regarding how parents and teachers can actively participate in the effective communication process to enable both parties to send and receive messages and limit the amount of misunderstanding on educational topics relating to students. This information will be provided to principals and school leaders in order to better manage the communication process between parents and teachers to include the information, attitudes, and perspectives that exist, thus, impacting student achievement and school success.
Forecasting Daily Volatility on Bucharest Stock Exchange using HAR Model

In this paper we forecast realized volatility using a very liquid equity traded on Bucharest Stock Exchange, Property Fund (FP) which is a company that manages Romanian government real-estate properties and at that time had almost 40% market capitalization. Many research paper use strndard version of HAR model, with or without jumps to forecast volatility on markets with a high level of liquidity. Our result, based on Diebold an Mariano test show that forecast performance increase if we use a modified version of HAR model, allowing for average trade duration form prevoius day to play an important role in analysis.
Trends in Gender Wage Gap and Discrimination in South Africa: A Comparative Analysis across Races

This study investigates the existence of gender wage gaps across races in South Africa using dummy variables in the augmented Mincerian equation. Having found evidence of gender wage gap, the study then utilizes the Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition technique to identify the proportion of the gap in wages that is attributable to pure discrimination between males and females. Lastly, the Juhn–Murphy–Pierce (JMP) method is used to understand the change in wage gap over the period 2001–2007. The results indicate that females continued to earn significantly less than males in the period 2001–2007. The findings of the study indicate that gender discrimination continues to exist, but the gender wage gap has decreased in the period of study mostly because of an improvement in the observed and unobserved characteristics of females in relation to males. However, a race-wise analysis indicates that the narrowing of the wage gap is not uniform across the races. The wage gap has, in fact, gone up for many races with the increase in discrimination coming up as the major reason for it.
Facet Orientation and Tropism: Associations With Spondylolysis

Study Design Cross-sectional study. Objective To evaluate the association between lumbar spine facet joint orientation, facet joint tropism, and spondylolysis identified by multidetector computed tomography (CT) in the community-based Framingham Heart Study. Summary of Background Data The association between lumbar spondylolysis and facet orientation and tropism remains unclear. Methods This study was an ancillary project to the Framingham Heart Study. Three thousand five hundred twenty-nine participants of the Framingham Heart Study aged 40 to 80 years underwent multidetector CT imaging to assess aortic calcification. One hundred ninety-one subjects were included in this ancillary study. Facet joint features and spondylolysis were evaluated on CT scans. The final analyzed sample included 104 men with mean age 51.90±11.25 years and 84 women with mean age 53.61±10.20 years. The association between spondylolysis and facet orientation and tropism was examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results Spondylolysis was prevalent in 11.5% of the total population. χ2 test demonstrated a significant sex difference in prevalence of spondylolysis (P=0.0154), with almost 3 times higher prevalence among men. There was no statistically significant difference in facet orientation and continuous facet tropism between individuals with and without spondylolysis at the L5 level (P=0.49 to 0.91). After adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index, no significant association between the occurrence of spondylolysis and facet orientation and tropism was found. In the studied sample the prevalence of facet joint osteoarthritis was significantly higher in individuals with spondylolysis than in those without spondylolysis at both sides of L4-L5 spinal level (P=0.044 at the right side and P=0.003 at the left side) and at left side of L5-S1 level (P=0.038). Conclusions We did not find an association between facet orientation, facet tropism, and spondylolysis. One of the possible explanations for this is that the high prevalence of facet joint osteoarthritis in individuals with spondylolysis in the studied sample might have led to diminished differences in facet orientation.
Compact Circularly Polarized Dualband Zonal-Slot/DRA Hybrid Antenna Without External Ground Plane

A zonal slot antenna cut onto a conducting cavity is combined with a dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) to form a circularly polarized (CP) dualband hybrid antenna. The zonal slot antenna and DRA are located on the side wall and top face of the cavity, which are responsible for the lower and upper bands, respectively. No external ground planes are used for the hybrid antenna and, thus, the structure is very compact. An L-probe is placed inside the cavity to feed the zonal slot directly and to excite the DRA indirectly through a cross coupling slot beneath the DRA. In this paper, two symmetrical cuts are cut onto the zonal slot for exciting CP fields, and a third cut is introduced to the zonal slot to fine-tune the axial ratio (AR). The DRA is excited by its underlaid cross slot with unequal lengths, giving two orthogonal degenerate modes that generate CP fields. The frequencies and field polarizations of the zonal slot and DRA can be designed independently, which greatly facilitates designs of the dualband CP antenna. The reflection coefficient, AR, radiation pattern, and radiation efficiency of dualband antennas were measured, and the measured results agree reasonably well with our simulated results obtained using Ansoft HFSS.
Development of microsatellite primers in the protected species Viola elatior (Violaceae) using next-generation sequencing1

Premise of the study: Viola elatior (Violaceae) is a Eurasian perennial plant species in which French populations are threatened by anthropogenic pressures. Microsatellite primers were developed to investigate its genetic structure and diversity. Methods and Results: Eight microsatellite markers were isolated using next-generation sequencing. Loci were amplified and screened for 138 individuals in 17 populations from France. Two of the eight polymorphic loci presented no variability across populations. The total number of alleles per locus varied from two to four. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.051 to 1.000. All primers amplified successfully in the closely related species V. pumila. Conclusions: This set of microsatellites offers a valuable tool for assessing population genetic diversity of the species to improve its conservation and base management efforts. High observed heterozygosity values probably reflect the particular mating system of the species and suggest an important tendency to clonality.
Poststroke Late Seizures and Their Role in Rehabilitation of Inpatients

Summary: Purpose: This study was designed to (a) identify the prevalence of poststroke late seizures in a population of patients admitted to rehabilitation of neurologic sequelae of their first stroke, (b) recognize reliable prognostic factors associated with the occurrence of poststroke late seizures, and (c) evaluate the impact of seizures on the results of rehabilitation treatment.
Toward a Functional Analysis of the Basal Ganglia

Parkinson patients were tested in two paradigms to test the hypothesis that the basal ganglia are involved in the shifting of attentional set. Set shifting means a respecification of the conditions that regulate responding, a process sometimes referred to as an executive process. In one paradigm, upon the appearance of each stimulus, subjects were instructed to respond either to its color or to its shape. In a second paradigm, subjects learned to produce short sequences of three keypresses in response to two arbitrary stimuli. Reaction times were compared for the cases where set either remained the same or changed for two successive stimuli. Parkinson patients were slow to change set compared to controls. Parkinson patients were also less able to filter the competing but irrelevant set than were control subjects. The switching deficit appears to be dopamine based; the magnitude of the shifting deficit was related to the degree to which l-dopa-based medication ameliorated patients' motor symptoms. Moreover, temporary withholding of medication, a so-called off manipulation, increased the time to switch. Using the framework of equilibrium point theory of movement, we discuss how a set switching deficit may also underlie clinical motor disturbances seen in Parkinson's disease.