Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extinct or still out there? Disentangling influences on extinction and rediscovery helps to clarify the fate of species on the edge

Each year, two or three species that had been considered to be extinct are rediscovered. Uncertainty about whether or not a species is extinct is common, because rare and highly threatened species are difficult to detect. Biological traits such as body size and range size are expected to be associated with extinction. However, these traits, together with the intensity of search effort, might influence the probability of detection and extinction differently. This makes statistical analysis of extinction and rediscovery challenging. Here, we use a variant of survival analysis known as cure rate modelling to differentiate factors that influence rediscovery from those that influence extinction. We analyse a global data set of 99 mammals that have been categorized as extinct or possibly extinct. We estimate the probability that each of these mammals is still extant and thus estimate the proportion of missing (presumed extinct) mammals that are incorrectly assigned extinction. We find that body mass and population density are predictors of extinction, and body mass and search effort predict rediscovery. In mammals, extinction rate increases with body mass and population density, and these traits act synergistically to greatly elevate extinction rate in large species that also occurred in formerly dense populations. However, when they remain extant, larger‐bodied missing species are rediscovered sooner than smaller species. Greater search effort increases the probability of rediscovery in larger species of missing mammals, but has a minimal effect on small species, which take longer to be rediscovered, if extant. By separating the effects of species characteristics on extinction and detection, and using models with the assumption that a proportion of missing species will never be rediscovered, our new approach provides estimates of extinction probability in species with few observation records and scant ecological information.
Sealing Bump With Bottom-Up Cu TSV Plating Fabrication in 3-D Integration Scheme

A sealing bump approach for the simplification of the conventional bottom-up copper through-silicon via (TSV) plating process flow is developed to reduce the process steps and increase the throughput without sacrificing the structure integrity and electrical performance. In this approach, TSV and bump formation can be achieved simultaneously through the bottom-up plating. Results from the analysis reveal excellent electrical characteristics and quality examination, which indicate that the proposed approach may be a good candidate for the TSV fabrication in 3-D integration.
Prognostic factors in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: the importance of age, sex and response to treatment in survival

Summary. We report the analysis of prognostic factors in a cohort of 660 patients entered in the first Medical Research Council trial in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) between 1978 and 1984. The majority (94%) of patients were aged 50 or over and the number of men (M) was almost twice that of women (F) with an M: F ratio of 1·8: 1. The M: F ratio was lower, 1·5:1, in patients aged 70 or over. Stage A CLL was the most common, and stage C the least common, among women of all ages, in contrast to men for whom stage A only predominated in the older age group. As the majority of CLL patients are elderly we have examined the causes of death in great detail. 29% of deaths were unrelated to CLL, mainly other cancers (12%) and cardiovascular complications (16%). The majority of deaths in patients presenting with stages B and C were from CLL‐related causes, whilst almost half of the deaths in patients presenting with stage A were not obviously related to CLL. Univariate analysis disclosed that the A, B, C staging system was the most important factor considered; stratified and multivariate analysis showed that age and response to treatment were the main prognostic factors after stage. Women always fared better than men and this was independent of stage and age. This and other features documented in the trial suggest a major biological difference between the sexes which has not been widely recognized. The significant influence of treatment response on patients’ survival suggests that the search for better treatments in CLL may be rewarding. The improved median survival of stage C patients recorded in this trial, 41 months, compares favourably with previous reports and may have resulted from better treatment.
Finite Sample Comparison of Parametric, Semiparametric, and Wavelet Estimators of Fractional Integration

ABSTRACT In this paper we compare through Monte Carlo simulations the finite sample properties of estimators of the fractional differencing parameter, d. This involves frequency domain, time domain, and wavelet based approaches, and we consider both parametric and semiparametric estimation methods. The estimators are briefly introduced and compared, and the criteria adopted for measuring finite sample performance are bias and root mean squared error. Most importantly, the simulations reveal that (1) the frequency domain maximum likelihood procedure is superior to the time domain parametric methods, (2) all the estimators are fairly robust to conditionally heteroscedastic errors, (3) the local polynomial Whittle and bias-reduced log-periodogram regression estimators are shown to be more robust to short-run dynamics than other semiparametric (frequency domain and wavelet) estimators and in some cases even outperform the time domain parametric methods, and (4) without sufficient trimming of scales the wavelet-based estimators are heavily biased.
Motivation of health care workers-review of theories and empirical evidence.

Comment faire pour motiver les gens afin qu 'ils acceptent un poste de travail, y rester et y deployer une performance convenable. Telle est la problematique de cette contribution. Apres l'introduction, la section II resume les differentes theories pour expliquer les motivations des travailleurs. La section III examine la liaison entre la motivation et la performance au travail. La section IV presente les donnees empiriques sur les motivations chez les travailleurs de la sante. La section V examine les strategies de gestion visant a creer des motivations pour ameliorer la performance. La contribution se termine par quelques recommandations pour la gestion du personnel dans le domaine de la sante ainsi que pour les recherches a venir.
A 180-nm CMOS RF transmitter for UHF RFID reader

This paper presents the design of the RF transmitter of RFID reader using 180-nm CMOS technology at 868 MHz. The design of RF transmitter of RFID reader in this paper includes up-conversion mixer, balun and class E of power amplifier. These results are maximum output power of 20.34 dBm, OP1dB of 19.3 dBm, PAE of 38.35% and power consumption of 168.57 mW.
Expression of Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 is Limited to the Nasal Glands in the Guinea Pig Nasal Cavity

Objectives – To clarify the localization of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 in the nasal cavity of guinea pigs and ascertain their physiological roles.Material and Methods – The distribution of the enzymes was investigated using immunohistochemistry.Results – Immunoreactivities for COX-1 and -2 were limited to the nasal glands, and no expression was noted in the surrounding vascular endothelial cells, olfactory glands, respiratory epithelium, olfactory epithelium, submucosal tissue or nerves. To confirm the specificity of the reaction, the kidneys of the same animals were prepared as positive controls. The results demonstrated localization of COX-1 and -2 in uriniferous tubules.Conclusion – Our findings suggest that COX is involved in the secretion of nasal discharge from the nasal glands and that prostaglandins in the nasal discharge are probably secreted directly from the nasal glands.
Rosie: a Worker for the Nuclear Age

Designed to decontaminate and dismantle aging nuclear facilities, Rosie is a construction-grade, remotely-operated worksystem capable of tearing a building down from the inside out. At the time of the Chernobyl accident, Soviet officials contacted researchers at Carnegie Mellon University about Rosie's grandmother, the Workhorse, a multipurpose, remote worksystem for the Three-Mile Island nuclear power plant. Although the system wasn't ready for release, the Chernobyl incident inspired a group of CMU researchers to form RedZone Robotics, a company that develops remote technology for hazardous environments. Now, almost a decade later, RedZone has released the Workhorse's progeny for its commercial debut.
A rational square-root B-spline model approximation and control of output probability density functions for dynamic stochastic systems

Based on the analysis of the relationship between the actual weight and the pseudo-weight of the rational square-root B-spline based PDF model, this paper presents a new method to the modeling of the rational square-root B-spline based PDF model and the controller design is discussed based on the model. Both the modeling and controller design algorithms are applied to the simulation study of the molecular weight distribution (MWD) process, the results verify the validity of the algorithms.
On-board real-time optimization control for turbofan engine thrust under flight emergency condition

A real-time optimization control method is proposed to enhance engine thrust response and enlarge its maximum thrust during emergent flight. This real-time optimization control is model based, and the on-board engine predictive model is devised by a multi-input multi-output recursive reduced least squares support vector regression method. Two emergency engine control modes during engine emergent acceleration process, the overthrust mode and the faster response mode, are redesigned by specifying relative objective function with engine operation constraints. Namely, the overthrust mode is for getting much bigger maximum thrust, and the faster response mode is for obtaining faster engine response. In the initial engine acceleration stage, the two modes have the same objective function for fastest thrust response within necessary operation constraints. After that, the objective function varies to maximum thrust in the overthrust mode, whereas the faster response mode keeps the objective for fastest response unchanged. For solving the online optimization problem, a feasible sequential quadratic programming algorithm is utilized here. The simulation results demonstrate that, first, engine response ability can be improved in faster response mode. Second, not only more thrust was provided over the maximum value but also fast response ability was achieved in the overthrust mode. Moreover, compared to conventional operation nowadays, argumentation of compressor guided vane angle control and broadening operation restrictions were deeply studied and verified in the new schemes.
Mad2 phosphorylation regulates its association with Mad1 and the APC/C

Improper attachment of the mitotic spindle to the kinetochores of paired sister chromatids in mitosis is monitored by a checkpoint that leads to an arrest in early metaphase. This arrest requires the inhibitory association of Mad2 with the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C). It is not known how the association of Mad2 with the kinetochore and the APC/C is regulated in mitosis. Here, we demonstrate that human Mad2 is modified through phosphorylation on multiple serine residues in vivo in a cell cycle dependent manner and that only unphosphorylated Mad2 interacts with Mad1 or the APC/C in vivo. A Mad2 mutant containing serine to aspartic acid mutations mimicking the C‐terminal phosphorylation events fails to interact with Mad1 or the APC/C and acts as a dominant‐negative antagonist of wild‐type Mad2. These data suggest that the phosphorylation state of Mad2 regulates its checkpoint activity by modulating its association with Mad1 and the APC/C.
Trial Watch: Therapeutic vaccines in metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Despite the renaissance of cancer immunotherapy, no novel immunotherapy has been approved for the treatment of renal cell cancer (RCC) since the availability of recombinant cytokines (interleukin-2, interferon-α). All vaccine trials have failed to meet their endpoints although they have highlighted potential predictive biomarkers (e.g., pre-existing immune response, hematological parameters, tumor burden). Recent advances in immunomodulatory therapies have prompted the study of combination treatments targeting the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment consisting of regulatory T-cells (Treg), myeloid suppressor cells, and cytokines. Approaches under investigation are use of inhibitors to curb the overexpression of immune checkpoint ligands by tumor cells (e.g., anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1/PD-L1) and exploiting the immunomodulatory effects of anti-angiogenic agents that are the current standard of metastatic RCC care. Phase III trials are focusing on the possible synergy between therapeutic vaccines (e.g., IMA-901 and AGS-003) and anti-angiogenic agents.
Nano-scale physical surface coating of temperature-responsive polymers for cell sheet fabrication

This study focused on the simple fabrication method of temperature-responsive cell culture surfaces by physical polymer coating. We synthesized diblock copolymers of poly(butyl methacrylate)-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PBMA-b-PIPAAm) with various thermoresponsive PIPAAm chain length. Polymers were dissolved in mixed solvent of acetonitrile/N, N-dimethylformamide (5/1 in v/v), and the solution was deposited on the surface of commercial cell culture substrates using a spin coater. Chemically connected hydrophobic PBMA significantly enhanced physical absorption to target material surfaces and resulted in introducing thermoresponsive property to solid surfaces. To investigate temperature-dependent cellular behavior, bovine carotid artery endothelial cells were seeded on polymer-coated surfaces and cultured at 37 °C. Cells adhered and proliferated on temperature-responsive surface at 37 °C, while the efficiency of adhesion and proliferation became lower with increasing PIPAAm chain length. On the other hand, longer PIPAAm chains significantly promoted cell detachment from the surfaces by reducing temperature to 20 °C. Consequently, confluently cultured cells were successfully harvested as a single cell monolayer with maintaining cell-cell junctions and extracellular matrix proteins with simple low temperature treatment by choosing the adequate PIPAAm chain length of block copolymer.
Evaluating three theory-based interventions to increase physicians' recommendations of smoking cessation services.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate three theory-based interventions aimed at increasing the rate at which primary care physicians recommend smoking cessation services to smokers. DESIGN Primary care physicians (n = 251) were randomized to one of four conditions: (a) information based on social cognitive theory (SCT) targeting outcome expectations, (b) information based on SCT + elaboration likelihood model, (c) feedback based on self-perception theory, or (d) control. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Intentions to recommend and self-reported recommendations of smoking cessation services 1 week postintervention. RESULTS Data were analyzed using covariance and mean structure analysis. Compared with the control group, only the SCT group reported more frequently recommending services (mean difference = 1.1 recommendations per week, Cohen's d = 0.46) and higher intentions. Mediation analysis was consistent with increased intentions resulting from changes in outcome expectations. There was no evidence that changes in intentions explained self-reported behavior change. CONCLUSION The study provides preliminary "proof of principle" for further studies incorporating more robust outcome measures.
Movement Disorder Society Task Force report on the Hoehn and Yahr staging scale: Status and recommendations The Movement Disorder Society Task Force on rating scales for Parkinson's disease

The Movement Disorder Society Task Force for Rating Scales for Parkinson's disease (PD) prepared a critique of the Hoehn and Yahr scale (HY). Strengths of the HY scale include its wide utilization and acceptance. Progressively higher stages correlate with neuroimaging studies of dopaminergic loss, and high correlations exist between the HY scale and some standardized scales of motor impairment, disability, and quality of life. Weaknesses include the scale's mixing of impairment and disability and its non‐linearity. Because the HY scale is weighted heavily toward postural instability as the primary index of disease severity, it does not capture completely impairments or disability from other motor features of PD and gives no information on nonmotor problems. Direct clinimetric testing of the HY scale has been very limited, but the scale fulfills at least some criteria for reliability and validity, especially for the midranges of the scale (Stages 2–4). Although a “modified HY scale” that includes 0.5 increments has been adopted widely, no clinimetric data are available on this adaptation. The Task Force recommends that: (1) the HY scale be used in its original form for demographic presentation of patient groups; (2) when the HY scale is used for group description, medians and ranges should be reported and analysis of changes should use nonparametric methods; (3) in research settings, the HY scale is useful primarily for defining inclusion/exclusion criteria; (4) to retain simplicity, clinicians should “rate what you see” and therefore incorporate comorbidities when assigning a HY stage; and (5) because of the wide usage of the modified HY scale with 0.5 increments, this adaptation warrants clinimetric testing. Without such testing, however, the original five‐point scales should be maintained. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
On Adaptive Processing of Discrete Flow

An algorithm of approximation for discrete initial numerical flow f by the first order splines, associated with the adaptive grid, is proposed. Quantitative evaluations for volumes of using data are obtained under different characteristics of regularity of initial flow. Limit characteristics of mentioned volumes are represented. Difference representations for deviation of data flow from approximate flow are done. There are discussions for pseudo-equidistant grid, grid of adaptive type and comparison of their effectiveness under condition of the same approximation. The conditions, in which the algorithm is more affective than the analogous algorithm with equidistant grid, are done. Key–Words: Splines, Interpolation, Approximation, Numerical flow, Adaptive grid, Limit characteristics, Data Volume
An overview and comparison of upper limb prosthetics

This paper looks at various existing upper limb prostheses both from the commercial and research area. It assesses what has been achieved in the commercial field as well as its shortcomings. State-of-the-art research on upper limb prosthetics is reviewed and the progress over the last decade is touched on briefly. The paper then considers haptic feedback and myoelectric control, two cutting-edge technological fields within the field of prosthetics. A comparison is made between current and past upper limb prostheses and improvements to these prostheses are discussed. Suggestions for future work are made to incorporate and develop haptic feedback and more advanced control algorithms to further improve the current prosthetics. Myoelectric control is identified as the most limiting factor to the progress of upper limb prosthetics.
Dexamethasone Regulates the Expression of Neuronal Properties of a Rat Insulinoma Cell Line

Insulin producing cells of the pancreas (beta cells) and neuronal cells share a large number of similarities. For example, different molecules, thought to be specific of neuronal cells, are expressed by beta cells. The factors regulating the expression of these molecules in beta cells are poorly understood. In the present work, we have studied the effect of dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, on the expression of three different neuronal traits expressed by INS‐1 cells, a highly differentiated beta cell line. We demonstrate that dexamethasone treatment decreases the steady state levels of mRNAs coding for both the low‐and the high‐affinity NGF receptors and of mRNA coding for NF‐H, an intermediate neurofilament specific of neurons. This effect was time‐dependent, the decrease being detectable after 4–8 h treatment. The decrease in NGF receptors mRNAs steady state levels was paralleled by a decrease in the number of NGF binding sites as demonstrated after Scatchard analysis. We further focused on the mechanisms by which dexamethasone affects the expression of the low affinity NGF receptor. The effect is countered by the glucocorticoid antagonist RU486, indicating that it is mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor. Finally, the decrease in the low‐affinity nerve growth factor receptor mRNA steady state level after dexamethasone treatment is not due to mRNA destabilization but can be rather explained through a change in gene transcription.
A Qualitative Study of Swedes' Opinions about Shared Electronic Health Records

European countries are world-leading in the development and implementation of e-Health. In Sweden, all primary healthcare centres and most hospitals use digital records. Some regions use the same software which allows for clinical information to be shared (regionally shared EHRs), but there is a movement towards making all EHRs inter-operable to allow for a National Patient Summary (NPS). The aim of this study was to explore the opinions of Swedish consumers and health professionals about shared EHRs and the NPS. Semi-structered phone interviews were conducted with consumers and health professionals. The majority of interviewed health professionals were currently using regionally shared EHRs. In their experience, having access to regionally shared EHRs facilitated a holistic patient approach, assisted in patient follow-up, and reduced inappropriate (over)prescribing. Consumers had a poor level of knowledge about shared EHRs and the NPS. Unlike health professionals, consumers perceived a NPS to be of great value. The findings indicate that there was a discrepancy between health professionals and consumers' knowledge of, and the perceived need for, a NPS.
Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in the human calf muscles

Human calf muscle injuries are relatively common among individuals from various backgrounds. Miniscule tears in the muscles of the calf such as the medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, and soleus, may be difficult to identify using traditional imaging modalities. Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI), is one type of diffusion imaging that has presented with some strengths over diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). Though DTI studies in the human calf have been published, no DKI studies in the human calf exist to our knowledge. The objective of this study is to determine whether or not DKI is applicable in identifying quantitative changes between states of dorsiflexion and relaxation in the human calf. One female participant underwent DKI. Data from the scanning was quantitatively analyzed via the use of FSLView and the NODDI MATLAB toolbox. A change in mean voxel intensity in the calf and mean orientation dispersion index was identified in each of the five slices analyzed, in each muscle group (medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, and soleus). Most of the changes, whether an increase or decrease in mean value—between the states of dorsiflexion and relaxation—were statistically significant. We conclude that DKI may have a future in identifying physical/quantitative changes in calf muscles between the tense/relaxed states. Further studies using DKI on the human calf should be conducted in the future and address the limitations of the current study. Further investigation could possibly benefit individuals with miniscule calf muscle injuries.