Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluctuation of mineral apposition rate at individual bone‐remodeling sites in human iliac cancellous bone: Independent correlations with osteoid width and osteoblastic alkaline phosphatase activity

We investigated the determinants of bone formation at individual remodeling sites (BMUs) in cancellous bone from 8 osteologically normal, sex hormone‐replete women with endometriosis. All were tetracycline double‐ labeled (2, 12, 2, and 4 day regime) before iliac bone biopsy. At each BMU the mineral apposition rate (MAR) was determined conventionally from the distance between label midpoints (MAR 1) and also from the distance between the mineralization front and the trailing edge of the second label (MAR 2). MAR 1 and 2 were compared with within‐BMU measurements of osteoid width (O.Wi) and the activities of osteoblastic alkaline phosphatase (AP) and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH, an enzyme in the Krebs cycle), both quantitated by microdensitometry. A total of 143 BMUs were evaluated, of which 88 were satisfactory for all measurements and 132 were satisfactory for all but SDH. There was a weak correlation (r = 0.34) between MAR 1 and 2 at individual sites, with a mean difference of 0.49 μm/day (mean MAR 0.82 μm/day). The mean MAR of individual subjects tended to be either increasing or decreasing (F = 16.1, p < 0.01). In linear regressions, MAR 2 was statistically dependent on O.Wi, AP, and SDH (73% of the variance accounted for). In contrast, MAR 1 was weakly correlated with O.Wi and only 30% of its variance was accounted for by AP, SDH, and O.Wi. The variance in the MAR 2 data was inversely increased (p < 0.01) compared with MAR 1 as the number of days of bone formation represented. The data are best explained by large within‐BMU variations in MAR over periods of up to a few days and longer term trends affecting all BMUs. Correlations between fluctuation in MAR and osteoblastic AP and SDH activity suggest that bone formation depends partly on AP activity and osteoblast energy balance. Random obliquity of sectioning has considerable theoretical effects on some correlations (e.g., between O.Wi and MAR), but further investigation emphasized the likely biologic importance of the correlations involving enzyme activities.
Performance of a software switch

Software switching has been largely dismissed as an inefficient option compared to hardware switching, both in terms of cost and performance. Recent increases in processing power for commodity hardware has given reason to revisit software switching. The flexibility of a commodity hardware, software based platform allows us to rapidly create prototypes, while the increased performance of the hardware is starting to enable software based network devices to be used in production environments. Combining these two aspects of commodity hardware based switching has led us to create our own prototype implementation of a next generation frame forwarding protocol. In this paper, we detail the architecture of our implementation and compare the performance of Ethernet switching platforms to our implementation with a synthetic benchmark, designed to measure the maximum frame forwarding rate of the platforms. We explore the throughput characteristics of all platforms in single- and multi core configurations, while keeping the rest of the platform configuration as identical as possible.
Two-Plasmid Vector System for Independently Controlled Expression of Green and Red Fluorescent Fusion Proteins in Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT We have constructed a system for the regulated coexpression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and red fluorescent protein (RFP) fusions in Staphylococcus aureus. It was validated by simultaneous localization of cell division proteins FtsZ and Noc and used to detect filament formation by an actin-like ParM plasmid partitioning protein in its native coccoid host.
Effect of five diatomaceous earth formulations against Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) and Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae)

Laboratory bioassays were conducted to determine the effect of food source on the survival of Tribolium castaneum Herbst, Oryzaephilus surinamensis L. and Rhyzopertha dominica F. , after exposure to five diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations: Protect‐It®, Insecto®, Perma‐Guard™, Dryacide® and SilicoSec®. Adults of these species were exposed to DEs at the rate of 0.5 mg/cm2 for 1 day on filter paper inside plastic Petri dishes. After exposure, the initial mortality was counted and live individuals of the three species were held for a week in glass vials containing 50 mg wheat flour, rice and whole wheat, respectively. In the second experiment, after 1 day exposure to DEs, beetles were transferred to Petri dishes without food and held for a week to determine if the presence of food source would decrease the mortality of beetles. Experiments were carried out at 27°C and 55% RH in the dark. The initial mortality in both of the experiments reached 100% for the three species exposed to Protect‐It® and in the case of R. dominica and O. surinamensis exposed to Dryacide®. In contrast, low level of mortality (< 10%) was observed for T. castaneum exposed to Perma‐Guard™ and Insecto®. The mortality after the post‐treatment period on food was decreased for the three species exposed to Perma‐Guard™ and in the case of T. castaneum and R. dominica exposed to Insecto® and SilicoSec®. Adults of O. surinamensis were the most susceptible followed by R. dominica and 100% adult mortality was obtained, whereas T. castaneum were the least susceptible beetles to DEs. Protect‐It® and Dryacide® were the most efficient DE formulations and can be used effectively in a stored grain integrated pest management program.
Cutting Edge: Enhancement of Antibody Responses Through Direct Stimulation of B and T Cells by Type I IFN1

Type I IFN (IFN-αβ) is induced rapidly by infection and plays a key role in innate antiviral defense. IFN-αβ also exerts stimulatory effects on the adaptive immune system and has been shown to enhance Ab and T cell responses. We have investigated the importance of B and T cells as direct targets of IFN-αβ during IFN-α-mediated augmentation of the Ab response against a soluble protein Ag. Strikingly, the ability of IFN-α to stimulate the Ab response and induce isotype switching was markedly reduced in mice in which B cells were selectively deficient for the IFN-αβR. Moreover, IFN-α-mediated enhancement of the Ab response was also greatly impaired in mice in which T cells were selectively IFN-αβR-deficient. These results indicate that IFN-αβR signaling in both B and T cells plays an important role in the stimulation of Ab responses by IFN-αβ.
Molecular epidemiology of plasmid spread among extended broad-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in a pediatric hospital

Over a 12-month period, 43 children in eight different wards of our hospital (Hôpital Robert Debré) were infected or colonized with Klebsiella pneumoniae strains producing extended broad-spectrum beta-lactamases. The epidemiology of the outbreak was studied by a molecular approach including the determination of the beta-lactamase physicochemical parameters and plasmid profiles, as well as analysis of the restriction fragment length polymorphisms of the rDNA regions (ribotyping). The last approach produced 12 and 5 different patterns with EcoRI and HindIII, respectively, thus identifying 15 different ribotypes among the 43 clinical K. pneumoniae strains. However, 60% of the strains in six wards belonged to only two ribotypes, whereas nine ribotypes were observed only once. Twelve isolates from different wards that were representative of the eight most common ribotypes showed four different beta-lactamase isoelectric focusing patterns and seven different plasmid profiles by direct analysis or after EcoRI digestion. Thus, at least two genetically unrelated strains in the same ward were found to have the same plasmid content. Our results show the complexity of the outbreak, which was associated with patient-to-patient cross-contamination with several epidemic strains with different plasmid contents, interspersed sporadic cases with nonepidemic strains, and the possible spread of a plasmid. The combination of plasmid profile analysis and ribotyping therefore seems to be powerful at deciphering the details of such outbreaks.
Secured Scheme for Data Reporting in Wireless Sensor Networks under Dynamic En-Route Environment

Security has become one of the major issues for Data Communication over wired and wireless networks. In Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), the hackers can inject false data via compromised nodes and can able to alter the original files. There are many chances to perform a Denial Of Service (DOS) attack in WSNs. Initially send the Dynamic Key to all the cluster nodes followed by neighboring nodes. Then send the file which will be hidden and is secured by encrypting using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm thereby mitigating from the DOS attack and Sybil attack. AES is secure enough to protect classified information up to the top Secret level, which is highest security. In a Sybil attacks, a malicious user obtains multiple fake identities and pretends to be multiple, Distinct nodes in the system. If a compromised is made while file being sent, then the algorithm finds the affected node and informs to the user that DOS attack is done.
Progression of the deregulation on the North European railway passenger markets. New insights via a customer satisfaction survey and expert interviews

The increase in population has created challenges to city planning worldwide. Suburbs have become more common living areas, and the distance from city centres has increased. This has brought challenges to passenger transport, which is noted as one of the most vital functions. Special attention has been paid to commuter rail transport, which is stated as an environmentally friendly transport mode. Although passenger rail transport is not as widely deregulated as freight transport, markets are confronting changes. At the beginning of year 2010 international passenger transport was opened for competition. Although this did not concern the national transportation, some countries have proceeded even further, and have partly or totally deregulated the national passenger rail transport. This research had two main objectives. It examined the progression of deregulation in three target countries and evaluated how experts and passengers have confronted the changes. Secondly, the aim was to clarify what kind of social consequences the deregulation has unfolded, concentrating also on passengers' viewpoints. The study's empirical section was conducted in two parts. Firstly, a passenger satisfaction survey was performed in Stockholm, Tallinn and Copenhagen. In the second part empirical data was gathered by interviewing Swedish, Estonian and Danish experts by using a semi-structured theme-interview. The research provided novel information by combining the standpoints of experts and passengers; the topic has been studied previously by concentrating on either experts or passengers. it can be stated that deregulation has proceeded dissimilarly in the target countries, which has impinged on the markets. The most significant divergences were noted in education, the ownership structures of the networks and the level of governmental support. Furthermore, the Swedish and Danish markets were considered interesting, whereas the Estonian market was noted too small for competition. However, some similarities were also unfolded. The unions' attitude towards deregulation is mainly negative, partly due to the decreased amount of workforce in the railway industry. Locomotive drivers' increased salary level was described as a positive factor. In order to increase the utilization of passenger rail transport, special attention should be paid to ticket prices, punctuality and itineraries. This report may be found at http://alk.tiehallinto. fi/julkaisut/pdf3/lts_2011-15_progression_of_web. pdf
Short-Term Effects of Foreign Bank Entry on Bank Performance in Selected CEE Countries

This paper analyses the short-term impact of foreign bank entry on bank performance in ten Central and Eastern European countries. A panel of 319 banks was analysed over the period 1995–2001. The Arellano-Bond dynamic panel estimation technique was used. The results indicate that foreign bank entry is associated with lower beforetax profits, non-interest income, interest income on interest earning assets and loan loss provisions. Foreign bank entry tends to increase the overhead costs of local banks in the short-run. The results generally indicate that foreign bank entry enhances competition on the market. The role the development of the banking sector plays in regard to the effects of foreign bank entry was analysed. Research results show that in more developed banking markets, foreign bank entry is associated less with decreasing incomes and loan loss provisions than in less developed banking markets. In more developed markets, the overhead costs of banks are less likely to increase. The results show that banks with a higher market share react less to foreign banks entering the market.
Cross-lingual Flames Detection in News Discussions

We introduce Flames Detector, an online system for measuring flames, i.e. strong negative feelings or emotions, insults or other verbal offences, in news commentaries across five languages. It is designed to assist journalists, public institutions or discussion moderators to detect news topics which evoke wrangles. We propose a machine learning approach to flames detection and calculate an aggregated score for a set of comment threads. The demo application shows the most flaming topics of the current period in several language variants. The search functionality gives a possibility to measure flames in any topic specified by a query. The evaluation shows that the flame detection in discussions is a difficult task, however, the application can already reveal interesting information about the actual news discussions.
A novel modularized folded highly compact LTCC Butler matrix

This paper describes the realization of a 8x8 Butler matrix taking full advantage of the 3D packaging capability of LTCC. The novelty of the design lies in the folding and stacking of phase shifters and couplers on 40 layers of LTCC tape to reduce the lateral dimensions of a 5GHz Butler matrix. The achieved size reduction is better than 1/5 of the original planar design showing excellent electrical performance. Furthermore, the new LTCC realization allows modular extension of Butler matrices to multiples of 8x8.
The cascading influence of multisensory processing on speech perception in autism

It has been recently theorized that atypical sensory processing in autism relates to difficulties in social communication. Through a series of tasks concurrently assessing multisensory temporal processes, multisensory integration and speech perception in 76 children with and without autism, we provide the first behavioral evidence of such a link. Temporal processing abilities in children with autism contributed to impairments in speech perception. This relationship was significantly mediated by their abilities to integrate social information across auditory and visual modalities. These data describe the cascading impact of sensory abilities in autism, whereby temporal processing impacts multisensory information of social information, which, in turn, contributes to deficits in speech perception. These relationships were found to be specific to autism, specific to multisensory but not unisensory integration, and specific to the processing of social information.
Mission-profile based multi-objective optimization of power electronics converter for wind turbines

To help mitigate some of the challenges associated with the wide spread adoption of the stochastic wind power, wind turbine with full-scale power converter (Type D) is preferred. Since full power is processed by the power converter in a type D wind turbine, it is important to improve its efficiency and reduce the cost per kW to achieve lower cost of energy. The power produced by the wind turbine varies in a wide range and the conventional design approach of optimizing converter at a specific loading condition may be sub-optimal. To overcome this challenge, a mission-profile based multi-objective optimization approach for designing power converter is presented. The objective is to minimize the energy loss for a given load profile as against the conventional approach of minimizing power loss at specific loading conditions. The proposed approach is illustrated by designing a grid-side power converter for 2 MW, 690 V wind turbine. The loss and volume models of the semiconductor and passive components have been discussed and design procedure has been demonstrated.
Evolutionary mechanism design using agent-based models

This research complements and combines market microstructure theory and mechanism design to optimize the market structure of financial markets systematically. We develop an agent-based model featuring near-zero-intelligence traders operating in a call market with a wide range of trading rules governing the determination of prices, which orders are executed as well as a range of parameters regarding market intervention by market makers and the presence of informed traders. The market structure which generates the best market performance is determined by applying the search technique Population-based Incremental Learning, guided by a number of performance measures, including maximizing trading volume or price, minimizing bid-ask spread or return volatility. We investigate the credibility of our model by observing the trading behavior of near-zero-intelligence traders with stylized facts in real markets. Based on computer simulations, we conform that the model is capable to reproduce some of the most important stylized facts found in financial markets. Thereafter, we investigate the best found market structure using both single-objective optimization and multi-objective optimization techniques. Our results suggest that the best-found combination of trading rules used to enhance trading volume may not be applied to achieve other objectives, such as reducing bid-ask spread. The results of single-objective optimization experiments show that significantly large tick sizes appear in the best market structures in most cases, except for the case of maximizing trading volume. The tick size is always correlated with the selection of multi-price rules. Though there is no particular combination of priority rule and multiprice rule achieving the best market performance, the time priority rule and the closest multi-price rule are the most frequently obtained rules. The level of market transparency and the extend of market maker intervention show ambiguous results as their representative parameter values change in a wide range. We also nd that the results of multi-objective optimization experiments are much similar to those obtained in the single-objective optimization experiments, except for the market transparency represented by the fraction of informed trader, which shows a clear trend in the multi-objective optimization. Using the results obtained from this research we can derive recommendations for exchanges and regulators on establishing the optimal market structure; for securities issuers on choosing the best exchange for their listing; and for investors on choosing the most suitable exchange for trading.
Comparison of 2 Implantable Bone Conduction Devices in Patients With Single-Sided Deafness Using a Daily Alternating Method

Objective Comparison of the auditory and subjective capabilities of 2 implantable bone conduction devices BAHA Divino Sound Processor (Divino) and the BAHA BP100 Sound Processor (BP100) using a daily alternating method. Study Design Open prospective comparative trial. Setting Tertiary referral otology and neurotology center. Patients Ten patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) using a Divino for more than 1 year. Interventions The patients with SSD changed to the BP100 for 1 week, and then underwent an evaluation period of 18 days switching between BP100 and Divino on a daily alternating basis. On a scale from 0 to 10, patients rated their quality of hearing daily with both devices concerning overall satisfaction, clearness of sound, and effort of listening in background noise. For the total duration of the trial, the Spatial Hearing Questionnaire (SHQ) and the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) were administered. In the unaided condition and with Divino at baseline and aided with BP100 after the evaluation period, adaptive speech in quiet and in noise testing was performed with speech and noise coming from different azimuth angles. Main Outcome Measures Subjective rating in a diary, APHAB, SHQ, and aided speech in quiet and speech in noise. Results The diary shows significant improvement on all subscales with BP100 in comparison with Divino. These differences did not change significantly during 18 days. On the APHAB, listening in background noise and in reverberant conditions was rated significantly better with the BP100. The SHQ shows a significant difference between both devices on all subscales except for source localization and speech understanding in quiet. Speech audiometry showed a significant head shadow benefit with both implantable bone conduction devices (median [Q1, Q3]: Divino = 2.67 dB [0.33, 1.51], BP100 = 2.83 dB [4.08, 3.83]). There was no significant difference found between both devices. Conclusion Both the Divino and the BP100 reduce the handicap experienced by patients with SSD. Subjective assessment using a daily alternating method shows higher overall hearing capabilities with BP100. Results of the questionnaires are similar. Speech audiometry in noise does not reveal a statistically significant difference between both devices. A daily alternating method can provide useful information for both the patient and the audiologist because objective measurements do not show any statistically significant differences between patients. In our opinion, daily alternation of devices is a useful method to compare different devices.
The impact of banks' financial statements publication on their market capitalization (The B.S.E. Case)

Conceived as an empirical study, the paper investigates investors’ behavior as a reaction to the publication of financial statements by the three commercial banks listed on Bucharest Stock Exchange (B.S.E.): BRD, BCC and TLV. Starting from the general framework of an event study analysis (ESA), the empirical research is doubled by two personal contributions to the ESA methodology represented by a parameters’ generalization module and one for optimizing internal variables. This modified methodology was run using personally-developed software (EvStud1.1), the main conclusion, inferred from a sample of 54 events, being the significant impact of financial statements’ publication on banks’ stock prices.