Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human umbilical perivascular cells (HUCPVCs): a novel source of mesenchymal stromal-like (MSC) cells to support the regeneration of the testicular niche

The expansion of functional testicular biopsy-derived human spermatogonial stem cells (hSSC) ex vivo may enable the restoration of fertility in pre-pubertal males having undergone gonadotoxic therapies or men with severe male factor infertility. Various somatic cells are known to regulate SSC homeostasis and spermatogenesis in the developing and adult testis. Prior attempts to recapitulate this niche demonstrated the requirement of feeder cells, such as endogenous testicular somatic cells, for germ cell expansion ex vivo . However, this strategy has limitations in the expansion of hSSCs from tissue biopsies for which spermatogenesis is absent or defective. Our aim was to evaluate the first trimester human umbilical cord perivascular cells (FTM HUCPVCs), a novel source of mesenchymal stromal-like cells (MSCs), as potential human feeder cells for standardized hSSC expansion ex vivo. Targeted RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that CD90+ve FTM HUCPVCs expanded in vitro under germ cell culture conditions express a profile of targeted testicular-associated transcripts that is similar to cultured human CD90+ve testicular adherent cells (hTACs) and secrete LIF, FGF2 and BMP4, key growth factors known to regulate spermatogenesis. We also demonstrated that mitotically inactivated FTM HUCPVCs support the expansion of mouse germ cells and putative SSCs ex vivo and that FTM HUCPVC transplantation promotes in vivo germ cell regeneration after mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP)-induced seminiferous tubule damage in a murine model, including a partial reconstitution of tubular cellular architecture and reestablishment of DAZL and acrosin+ve germ cell layers. Together, these data suggest that FTM HUCPVCs have phenotypical and functional properties that may support repair of the human testicular niche. Targeted RNAseq quantifying aligned reads to transcriptome using the Partek/ EM Homo sapiens (human) – hg19 canonical transcripts as the genome and the custom testicular amplicon panel as the annotation model. Quantification was performed with strict paired-end compatibility and minimal read overlap, with the feature option set at 80% of read Differential gene and statistical analysis was performed using by comparing hTAC vs reads normalized to the total of each A PCA map using Partek (Partek), and GraphPad Prism (GraphPad was used to plot mean ± s . d . normalized reads for each amplicon on the panel. or Prism Software Software) statistical Statistical significance using Student’s t test or, when more than 2 conditions were tested, using ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test, and differences were considered significant when P < 0.05.
Part B of the proposal Short web-based version Proposal full title : New technologies for targeted metabolomics

The small molecule profiles of cells are compared to identify small molecules which are modulated in altered states. Cellular small molecule libraries, methods of identifying tissue sources, methods for treating genetic and non-genetic diseases, and methods for predicting the efficacy of drugs are also discussed. Claims: A method for metabolomically facilitating the diagnosis of a disease state of a subject, comprising: obtaining a small molecule profile from a subject suspected of having and/or having a disease state; and comparing the small molecule profile from the subject to a standard small molecule profile, thereby diagnosing the disease state, thereby predicting whether a subject is predisposed to having a disease state. comparing the small molecule profile from the subject to a known standard established for the therapeutic agent as an indication of whether the subject would benefit from treatment with the therapeutic agent, thereby predicting a subject’s response to said therapeutic agent. monitoring changes in the small molecule profile of the subject as an indication of the effectiveness of the therapeutic agent in the subject, thereby monitoring the effectiveness of said therapeutic agent. A method for generating a small molecule profile of a cellular compartment (cell, nucleus, mitochondria). The method for analysing the sample is selected from the group consisting of HPLC, TLC, electrochemical analysis, mass spectroscopy, refractive index spectroscopy, Ultra-Violet spectroscopy, fluorescent analysis, radiochemical analysis, Near-InfraRed spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, and Light Scattering analysis. US 7,005,255 Titel: Methods for drug discovery, disease treatment, and diagnosis using metabolomics Applicant: Metabolon, Inc.
Determinants of Micro-insurance Demand in Cameroon

This study aims to identify the determinants of demand for micro-insurance in Cameroon. The methodology implemented has been inspired by the analytical framework proposed by Heckman (1979). It consist of counting models with double selection effect. In the first step, a biprobit model called double selection model is estimated in order to characterize, on one hand, membership in an association and on the other hand, the adoption of microinsurance. Then, the so-called counting models of interest are estimated in order to identify and analyze the factors that impact on the number of micro-insurance policies. The data used in the study comes from the fourth Cameroonian Household Survey (ECAM4); a national survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) in 2014. The results show that economic, socio-cultural, structural, personal and demographic factors affect both the demand for membership of an association and the demand to adopt micro-insurance. In addition, the results show that economic, personal and demographic factors significantly explain the number of microinsurance policies held by household heads. The inverse of the Mills’ ratio shows that the number of microinsurance policies is negatively correlated with unobserved characteristics. Summarily, it is noticed that the insurance premium, education level, gender, age, household size, marital status, religion, risk exposure and structural factors are the determinants of demand for micro-insurance in Cameroon. In a context of poverty, these results call for a number of actions by the public authorities to promote microinsurance, which could be seen as a way of achieving universal social coverage.
Managerial education , productivity and technology choice : evidence from US mining colleges

I examine whether the introduction of college-level mining engineering degrees did affect productivity in the US anthracite industry between 1898 and 1914. I use production and cost data about 582 Pennsylvania mines with rich information on both managerial characteristics and technology choices. I find that total factor productivity of mines managed by college-educated mining engineers increased by 10%. When controlling for detailed technology choices, however, this effect disappears. The benefits of mining college graduates were hence conditional on technology usage. I find that mining college educated managers adopted better technologies compared to their peers, and investigate the underlying drivers of this difference in technology choices.
Upstream with Residential HVAC Programming in the Northeast

This paper explores the process of regionally coordinated engagement of upstream market actors (manufacturers and distributors) in the residential HVAC marketplace launched in 2007 in the northeast. The paper enables attendees to understand the drivers behind a decision to jointly move upstream to enhance program outreach to end-use customers and HVAC contractors through stronger relations with distributors and manufacturers, and the subsequent process undertaken to pursue joint, cooperative activities between efficiency programs and industry. The authors share the experience of Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) and its efficiency program sponsors in identifying the reasons to move upstream; provide an overview of the actions undertaken to execute; describe initial outcomes and extensions; discuss the future course of action; and share lessons learned. Research and initial relationship-building efforts begun as early as 2004 culminated in early 2007 with a series of face-to-face meetings between efficiency program staff and upstream partners to begin developing an open-ended solicitation process in the residential sector. The process of inviting market actors to participate in the open-ended solicitation was undertaken during the summer of 2007, with negotiation and execution of promotional agreements in the fall, and initial activity ramping up in early 2008. However, the current efforts are just the beginning, so even as the activity continues today, lessons learned and initial outcomes are significant and will be discussed.
Growth and electrical characterization of thin ﬁlm silicon on MG-Si for solar cell applications

Thin films of silicon for solar cell applications were grown by liquid phase epitaxy (LPE). The films were grown on semi-insulating single-crystalline silicon, p-type single-crystalline silicon and metallurgical grade silicon (MG-Si). MG-Si substrates have higher impurity concentrations than traditional electronic grade silicon and are used as low-cost alternatives to single crystalline substrates. p-n junctions were prepared by growing n-type silicon on p-type MG-Si substrates. The as-grown samples were hydrogenated to improve their electrical quality. Electrical characterization along with a morphology study was made on the grown samples. It was demonstrated that it is possible to produce a low-cost solar cell using metallurgical grade silicon substrates. However, hydrogenation is essential to achieve the desired electrical properties.
Study on Word-Level Emphasis Across English and Japanese ∗ ☆

Speech-to-speech (S2S) translation systems [1] allow us to communicate with other people in different languages. However, conventional S2S systems ignore emphasis, which is an important factor of paralinguistic information. In order to construct a S2S system considering emphasis, it is important to study on how emphasis is expressed in each language and also across languages. In this paper, we analyzed emphasis is word-level. We first estimate a real-numbered value of word-level emphasis using many speech features such as F0, duration and power. Based on this estimation we perform an analysis of how emphasis is expressed in individual languages and also across languages.
Automatic Post-Editing across Domains

English. Recent advances in automatic post-editing (APE) have shown that it is possible to automatically correct systematic errors made by machine translation systems. However, most of the current APE techniques have only been tested in controlled batch environments, where training and test data are sampled from the same distribution and the training set is fully available. In this paper, we propose an online APE system based on an instance selection mechanism that is able to efficiently work with a stream of data points belonging to different domains. Our results on a mix of two datasets show that our system is able to: i) outperform stateof-the-art online APE solutions and ii) significantly improve the quality of rough MT output. Italiano. Recenti miglioramenti dei sistemi automatici di post-editing hanno dimostrato la loro capacità di correggere errori ricorrenti commessi dalla traduzione automatica. Spesso, tuttavia, tali sistemi sono stati valutati in condizioni controllate dove i dati di training/test sono selezionati dalla stessa distribuzione e l’insieme di training è interamente disponibile. Questo articolo propone un sistema di post-editing online, basato su tecniche di selezione dei dati, capace di trattare sequenze di dati appartenenti a diversi dominii. I risultati su un insieme di dati misti mostrano che il sistema è in grado di ottenere risultati migliori rispetto i) allo stato dell’arte e ii) al sistema di traduzione.
Stochastic Extreme Value Optimization

In this thesis, we study several stochastic optimization problems in which we want to optimize the expectation of the extreme values, including maximum-element, minimization version of maximum-element and minimum-element. Formally, we obtain the following results: 1. We first study maximum-element. It takes a set of random variables {Xi}i=1 (with known distributions) and a collection of feasible sets (constraint) F ⊂ 2 as inputs, and outputs a feasible set S ∈ F which maximizes the value of E[maxi∈S Xi]. In the minimization version of maximum-element, we try to minimize the value of E[maxi∈S Xi]. We obtain a constant approximation for maximum-element if there is a constant approximation for the deterministic problem max-sum(find a feasible set S ∈ F which maximizes the value of ∑ i∈S vi). Compared with previous results, our approximation works for many combinatorial constraints. Furthermore, we obtain the first PTAS for maximum-element if there is a psuedopolynomial time algorithm for the exact-sum problem. The best previous approximation ratio is 1 − 1/e [6], based on submodular maximization. 2. We can obtain the same constant approximation and PTAS for the minimization version of maximum-element, by a slight modification of the above algorithm. 3. We also study the minimum-element problem, which takes a set of random variables {Xi}i=1 with costs {ci}i=1 and a budget C as inputs, and outputs a set S with total cost at most C which minimizes the value of E[mini∈S Xi]. If all variables are supported on {0, 1, . ,m−1}, we obtain a bi-criteria algorithm which outputs a (1+ε)approximation with cost at most O(log log logm)C, improving the best previous result which incurs a cost at most O(log logm)C [10].
Group Cognitive-Behavioral Social Skills n at-Training for Older Outpatients With

The number of older patients with schizophrenia is increasing rapidly. There is significant need for empirically validated psychotherapy interventions for these patients. Cognitive­ behavioral and social skills training interventions have been shown to improve outcomes for younger patients with schizophrenia, but have not been studied in older patients. This article describes a group intervention for older patients with schizophrenia, cognitive­ behavioral social skills training (CBSST), which we are currently studying in a random­ ized controlled clinical trial. CBSST teaches cognitive-behavioral coping techniques, social functioning skills, problem solving, and compensatory aids for neurocognitive impair­ ments. We highlight special issues and specific techniques relevant to working with older patients, and discuss the costs and benefits of using a group rather than individual approach with this population. To illustrate the approach, two case ex.amples with out­ come data are presented.
Towards an Underwater 3 D Laser Scanning System for Mobile Mapping

Digitizing archaeological or industrial sites on land using standard methods of photogrammetry like 3D modeling from photos or laser scanning is well understood. In contrast, precise underwater surveying with high resolution is still a complex and difficult task. In this paper, we present the development and construction of a structured light underwater laser scanning system and show first results on applying the system for mobile scanning in the water. The laser scanner employs two line lasers to project a cross on the scene. This enables mobile scanning in multiple directions and provides an overlapping scan pattern, which is exploited for trajectory optimization. We describe the image processing, calibration and 3D reconstruction methods used for creating point clouds using the system. In experiments conducted in a towing tank we demonstrate 3D scans captured by rotating the scanner on a robotic joint and first results of mobile scans acquired by moving the scanner through the water along a linear trajectory.
Comparative in vitro evaluation of some commercial brands of valsartan tablets marketed in Bangladesh

The availability of numerous brands of valsartan tablets in pharmacies of Bangladesh today places health practitioners in a problem of generic substitution. The aim of the present study was the evaluation and comparison between different brands of valsartan manufactured by various pharmaceutical companies of Bangladesh with different trade names in order to minimize health risk factors and maximize safety of local people. General quality assessments of these tablets like diameter, thickness, hardness, weight variation, friability, disintegration test were also performed according to the established protocols. Dissolution study of the collected commercial samples were performed using a validated UV spectrophotometric method. Active ingredients were also assayed. Dissolution study showed that brand B was the fastest (83.24%) and brand A was the slowest (77.24%) in terms of drug release and assay value of the brands were recorded within 89.1% to 96.3%. This type of study is a good pointer for the evaluation of the idealness of commercial products.
IMU Camera SMA springs Functional Skin Ground 1 Ground 2 Ground 3 High 1 High 2 High 3

Traditional colonoscopy requires highly trained personnel to be performed. Additionally, current devices may cause discomfort and carry the risk of perforating the bowel wall. In this paper, a soft three modular section robot is designed, modeled, controlled and tested. Each of the robotic sections has three degrees of freedom, one translation and two rotations. The robot uses a peristaltic motion to translate, inspired by the motion generated by the bowel. The robot uses nine independently controlled Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) springs as its actuators and a novel silicone rubber skin provides the passive recovery force to expand the springs to their original state. It also incorporates three air tubes, one for each section, to provide forced convection reducing the cooling time of the SMA springs. A parametric study on the skin curvature and thickness using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is performed to maximize traction while providing enough recovery force. A multi-input multi-output (MIMO) controller based on fuzzy control is designed and implemented for each of the sections allowing the robot to achieve any orientation between −90◦ and +90◦ in both pitch and roll in less than 4 seconds with near zero steady state error. Both the peristaltic motion and the orientability of the robot are tested. The robot is able to perform a peristaltic motion with maximum speed of 4mm/s (24 cm/min) and an average speed of 2.2 cm/min. Each section is also able to follow, with less than 2% overshoot and near zero steady-state error, periodic multi-input squared signals of 25◦ of amplitude.
MAGNEX : an innovative magnetic spectrometer for nuclear physics studies

An innovative magnetic spectrometer has been recently installed at the INFN-LNS laboratory of Catania (Italy). Thanks to a powerful technique of trajectory reconstruction based on differential algebraic algorithms and on the use of a sophisticated focal plane tracker detector, it allows to guarantee good energy, mass and angular resolution in a large solid angle and a broad range of explored momenta. An array of 36 Ne213 liquid scintillators (EDEN) from IN2P3-IPN Orsay (France) laboratory has been installed around the scattering chamber of the spectrometer. In this way it is possible to detect, in coincidence with MAGNEX, the neutrons emerging from the reactions in a broad range of energies and with rather high efficiency. The facility, designed for an open nuclear physics community, makes it possible to face old and new challenges of experimental nuclear physics, often producing data of unprecedented quality. Example of new data are shown as connected to the exploration of multi-neutron transfer reactions induced by O projectiles, charge exchange reactions and nuclear rainbow in heavy ion collision.
Forecasting Models for the Three Highest Daily Precipitation Monthly Values at Sulaimania Governorate in Iraq

Four forecasting models were developed for the monthly series of the first three highest maximum values of daily precipitations in Sulaimania governorate, Iraq. Three of them are a first order single variable autoregressive models one for each series. The fourth one is a multi-variable Matalas(1967) model that incorporate the three series simultaneously in order to investigate the effect of the dependence of the first three daily maximums on the forecasting capability compared to the single variable models. The models were developed using the series of the three highest daily precipitations in Sulaimania governorate using the data on monthly basis for the years (1992-2006). Verification of the models was conducted by comparing the statistical properties of three generated series for each model for the period (2007-2013), with the observed properties for the same period. Results indicate the capability of the two types of the model to preserve these statistical properties very well. However, the AKIKE test indicates that the single variable model can perform better than the multi-variables one, the ranges of these test for three generated series are (22.63-29.68) and (27.81-34.91), for the single and multi-variable models ,respectively. The maximum absolute differences in the statistical properties are all higher for the multi-variables model than those for the single variable one. The t-test and F-test for the monthly means and standard deviations support this conclusion. These results may be attributed to the high randomness in the successive extreme daily precipitations values.
– 1 June 2018 Design of Narrowband Frequency-Tunable Antenna

In this paper, a narrowband frequency-tunable antenna is proposed. The tuning operation is achieved by integrating a variable capacitor in a narrowband antenna. Both simulated and measured results of the designed antenna are presented and discussed. The experimental results show that very narrowband resonant frequency can be accurately tuned in a large frequency range. Hence, the proposed design can be a good candidate for modern wireless communication systems.
A REVIEW OF SELF-COMPASSION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG COUNSELORS IN MALAYSIA

Counseling has been recognized as both challenging and rewarding. Malaysia, as a developing country has placed more emphasis on the mental health of the population. Thus, one could foresee the growing demand for counselors in Malaysia and their professionalism in the future seeing that counselors appear to be one of the professionals needed in helping people with many different mental health conditions. Counselor psychological well-being is important to the therapeutic relationship, process and treatment effectiveness. Thus, having a sense of psychological well-being is crucial for professional competency. Self-compassion has emerged as a healthy and positive attitude in enhancing counselors’ psychological well-being. However, these essential concepts have not been given much attention in Malaysia. Therefore, this paper reviews the concepts of psychological well-being and self-compassion, especially their relevance to counselors. Also, this paper highlights the significance of future research on selfcompassion and psychological well-being among counselors in Malaysia.
A new species of extinct Pterodroma petrel ( Procellariiformes : Procellariidae ) from the Chatham Islands , New Zealand by Alan

—A new species of extinct gadfly petrel (Procellariidae, Pterodroma) is described from the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. Its remains have been recovered in Holocene fossil deposits on Chatham, Pitt and Mangere Islands. Its extinction, possibly as late as the 19th century, was a result of human colonisation of the island group. The new species was identified by a combination of morphological and molecular evidence. A complete humerus was selected as the holotype by soaking DNA from the fossil bone, leaving its morphology intact.