Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hybrid RANS/LES of plane jets impinging on a flat plate at small nozzle-plate distances

A k-omega BASED HYBRID RANS/LES (Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes/large eddy simulation) model is tested for simulation of plane impinging jets at various nozzle-plate distances (H/B), where H is the distance and B is the slot's width) and various Reynolds numbers (based on the slot's width and the velocity in the symmetry plane). The studied combinations are H/B = 2 for Re = 10000, H/B = 4 for Re = 18 000 and H/B = 9.2 for Re = 20000. The focus is on small distance of the nozzle exit to the plate. In LES mode, the hybrid RANS/LES model uses two definitions of the local grid size, one based on the maximum distance between the cell faces in the destruction term of the turbulent kinetic energy equation and one based on the cube root of the cell volume in the eddy-viscosity formula. This allows accounting for flow inhomogeneity on anisotropic grids. In RANS mode, the hybrid model turns into the newest version of the k-omega model by Wilcox.
The Effects of Testosterone on Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion in Rats

ABSTRACT Ischemic injury to the gut is believed to occur in many serious clinical conditions. Our aim was to investigate the postischemia/reperfusion (I/R) effects of exogenously administered testosterone on the intestines of normal and orchiectomized rats.Forty-eight rats were divided into eight groups of six animals: (1) Sham-operated control group; (2) Sham-operated + testosterone-treated group; (3) I/R group: Rats were subjected to the surgical procedures and underwent intestinal ischemia for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 60 min; (4) I/R + testosterone-treated group: Rats were subjected to the surgical procedures and received testosterone 100 mg/kg (i.p.); (5) I/R + orchiectomy group: Rats were subjected to the surgical procedures as well as orchiectomy; (6) orchiectomy group: Rats were subjected to the surgical procedures as well as orchiectomy; (7) orchiectomy + testosterone-treated group: Rats were subjected to the surgical procedures as well as orchiectomy and received testosterone 100 mg/kg (i.p.); and (8) I/R + orchiectomy + testosterone-treated group. The histological findings of this study paralleled the observed degree of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein oxidation. Intestinal mucosal injury was extensive in the I/R, I/R + orchiectomy, and I/R + orchiectomy + testosterone groups, but was less in the I/R + testosterone group. Histopathological injury also paralleled the degree of oxidative stress. Apoptotic enterocytes were more numerous in the I/R, I/R + orchiectomy, and I/R + orchiectomy + testosterone groups. Administration of testosterone in the presence of testes significantly protected intestinal tissue against I/R mucosal injuries, while administration of testosterone in the absence of testes did not significantly protect intestinal tissue against I/R mucosal injuries.
pH‐dependent stability of the human α‐lactalbumin molten globule state: Contrasting roles of the 6—120 disulfide and the β‐subdomain at low and neutral pH

Many proteins are capable of populating partially folded states known as molten globule states. α‐Lactalbumin forms a molten globule under a range of conditions including low pH (the A‐state) and at neutral pH in the absence of Ca2+ with modest amounts of denaturant. The A‐state is the most thoroughly characterized and thought to mimic a kinetic intermediate populated during refolding at neutral pH. We demonstrate that the properties and interactions that stabilize the A‐state and the pH 7 molten globule of human α‐lactalbumin differ. The unfolding of the wild‐type protein is compared to the unfolding of a variant that lacks the 6120 disulfide bond and to an autonomously folded peptide construct that we have previously shown represents the minimum core structure of the A‐state of human α‐lactalbumin. Studies conducted at pH 2 and 7 show that the disulfide makes little contribution to the stability of the molten globule at pH 7 but is important at pH 2. In contrast, the β‐subdomain of the protein is less important at pH 2 than at pH 7. The role of helix propensity in stabilizing the different forms of the molten globule state is examined and it is shown that it cannot account for the differences. The strikingly different behavior observed at pH 2 and 7 indicates that the A‐state may not be a rigorous mimic of the folding intermediate populated at pH 7. Proteins 2003;52:193–202. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Service engineering framework: The adoption of simulation to design and configure Product-Service solutions

In the last years, a number of companies have undertaken a shift to a service paradigm. Apart from the benefits obtained by the so called “servitization”, many companies have also suffered the lack of methodological and systematic tools to deal with the enlargement of their Product-Service Systems (PSS) offering. The few tools nowadays available in the Service Engineering (SE) context have a reduced industrial applicability, and are mainly focused on the satisfaction of customer needs. Starting from this limitation, Pezzotta et al. (2014) defined the SErvice Engineering Methodology (SEEM) that aims at supporting companies during the engineering of a new PSS balancing the value perceived by the customer and the company sustainability. In particular, this paper aims at investigating and defining how it is possible to properly adopt Discrete Event Simulation (DES) in SEEM for the purpose of assessing the performance of a new or revised PSS offering. Two possibilities have been identified and compared through an industrial case study, and a comparison to select the best one has been conducted. The identified paradigm has been then used in a real context with the aim to better understand the main industrial implications.
Experimental demonstration of a Fano laser based on photonic crystals

Conventional semiconductor laser mirrors are based on Fresnel reflection [1], Bragg reflection [2, 3] or total internal reflection [4]. Here we demonstrate a new laser concept using photonic crystals (PhC), with a mirror based on Fano interference between a waveguide continuum and a discrete resonance of a nanocavity [5]. We show that the very narrowband feature of the Fano resonance [6] can lead to single mode lasing. In addition, when combined with optical nonlinearity, the highly dispersive feature of the Fano resonance can promote self-pulsations at gigahertz frequencies [7], which was previously observed only in macroscopic lasers [8].
The effect of a cardiopulmonary bypass system with biocompatible coating on fibrinogen levels determined by the TEG – functional fibrinogen method: preliminary results

When cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is used, the blood comes into contact with foreign surfaces. To diminish this impact, various types of biocompatibly coated surfaces have been developed. The study assessed the effects of heparin-coated CPB systems on the level and function of fibrinogen as measured by thromboelastography (TEG), as compared with non-coated systems. No statistically significant differences between both groups were revealed by comparing paired data. In our study, heparin-coated CPB circuits had no significant effect on either fibrinogen level or its function.
Real-Time Interactive Learning in the NERO Video Game

In the NeuroEvolving Robotic Operatives (NERO) video game, the player trains a team of virtual robots for combat against other players' teams. The virtual robots learn in real time through interacting with the player. Since NERO was originally released in June, 2005, it has been downloaded over 50,000 times, appeared on Slashdot, and won several honors. The real-time NeuroEvolution of Augmenting Topologies (rt-NEAT) method, which can evolve increasingly complex artificial neural networks in real time as a game is being played, drives the robots' learning, making possible this entirely new genre of video game. The live demo will show how agents in NERO adapt in real time as they interact with the player. In the future, rtNEAT may allow new kinds of educational and training applications through interactive and adapting games.
Tumor necrosis factor–alpha modulates CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins–DNA binding activities and promotes hepatocyte‐specific gene expression during liver regeneration

Injury‐related cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF), may preserve liver‐specific gene expression during the subsequent regenerative response by modulating the activity of transcription factors, including CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs), which regulate differentiated gene expression in hepato‐cytes. To test this theory, rats were treated with neutralizing antibody to TNF or nonimmune immunoglobulin before partial hepatectomy (PH) and regenerative changes in the messenger RNAs (mRNAs), proteins, and DNA‐binding activities of C/EBP isoforms and the expression of a C/EBP‐regulated gene, phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), were compared. Before PH, the expressions of C/EBP‐α, C/EBP‐β, and C/EBP‐γ were similar in the two treatment groups. Dimers containing C/EBP‐α and C/EBP‐β accounted for virtually all of the C/EBP DNA binding activity and mRNA for PEPCK, the rate limiting hepatocyte enzyme for gluconeogenesis, was barely detected. After PH, in control rats, mRNA and nuclear protein concentrations of C/EBP‐β and C/EBP‐γ increased approximately fivefold by 3 hours after PH. This was accompanied by increased DNA binding activity of these C/EBP isoforms and decreased DNA binding activity of C/EBP‐α. mRNA levels of PEPCK, a gene that is strongly transactivated by non‐α C/EBP isoforms, increased fivefold. Pretreatment with anti‐TNF antibodies prevented regenerative induction of C/EBP β and γ expression and DNA‐binding activity. The nature of dimers binding to C/EBP cis‐acting elements remained similar to that observed in liver before PH and increases in PEPCK mRNA were blunted. These results support the theory that TNF helps maintain liver‐specific gene expression during liver regeneration by altering transcription factor complexes that regulate differentiated gene expression in hepatocytes. (HEPATOLOGY 1995; 22:252–261.)
Towards ECDSA key derivation from deep embeddings for novel Blockchain applications

In this work, we propose a straightforward method to derive Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) key pairs from embeddings created using Deep Learning and Metric Learning approaches. We also show that these keys allows the derivation of cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin) addresses that can be used to transfer and receive funds, allowing novel Blockchain-based applications that can be used to transfer funds or data directly to domains such as image, text, sound or any other domain where Deep Learning can extract high-quality embeddings; providing thus a novel integration between the properties of the Blockchain-based technologies such as trust minimization and decentralization together with the high-quality learned representations from Deep Learning techniques.
A study of dual-mode bandpass filter integrated in BGA package for single-chip RF transceivers

This paper presents a study of a dual-mode bandpass filter integrated in a ball grid array (BGA) package for the single-chip solutions of radio frequency (RF) transceivers. The novel in-package filter, except for the economical advantage of mass production and automatic assembly, has potential benefit to the system-level board miniaturization and the system-level manufacturing facilitation. The simulated and measured performance of the in-package filter is presented. The effects of the different physical parts of the package on the filter performance are investigated. Experimental results show that the in-package filter of size 15/spl times/15/spl times/1.905 mm/sup 3/ achieved 3-dB percentage bandwidth of 14% and insertion loss of 2.07 dB at 5.25 GHz.
Synthesis of reversible logic functions using ternary Max-Min algebra

Ternary reversible circuits are normally realized as Toffoli cascades using ternary Galois field sum of products (TGFSOP) expressions. In this work we propose a new method for realization of ternary reversible circuits using ternary Max-Min expressions. The proposed method uses ternary multiple-controlled unary gates to map Max-Min expression into reversible circuit. We also present techniques for realizations of multiple-controlled unary gates using M-S gates at the quantum level. Preliminary results show that the proposed method produces better results than TGFSOP-based method in terms of both quantum cost and ancilla inputs.
Identification and characterization of ceftriaxone resistance and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in Malawian bacteraemic Enterobacteriaceae.

OBJECTIVES To enumerate and characterize extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) amongst ceftriaxone-resistant coliforms in Blantyre, Malawi, where third-generation cephalosporin use is currently highly restricted. METHODS Over the period April 2004-March 2005 all ceftriaxone-resistant isolates from blood cultures were examined for the presence of ESBLs. Isoelectric focusing was performed on enzyme extracts. PCR and DNA sequencing of amplicons were used to identify the underlying genetic determinants responsible for the ESBL phenotypes. Transferability of the ESBL phenotypes was tested by conjugation to a susceptible Escherichia coli J53. RESULTS Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from 1191 blood cultures, of which 19 (1.6%) were ceftriaxone resistant. Ten isolates (0.7% of all isolates) demonstrated an ESBL phenotype but only eight were characterized as three isolates were from the same patient. Genotypes SHV-11 (n = 1), SHV-12 (n = 3), SHV-27 (n = 1), TEM-63 (n = 2) and CTX-M-15 (n = 1) were detected. Plasmid transfer of the ESBL resistance phenotype was successful for all the isolates. CONCLUSIONS In a clinical setting of minimal cephalosporin usage there is already a diversity of ESBL genotypes. Increased use of cephalosporins in this setting is likely to result in a rapid expansion of ESBLs and their prevalence will need to be carefully monitored.
Offline Status, Online Status

This study tested the reproduction hypothesis that the Internet produces positive payoffs for those in privileged social positions, while disfavoring marginalized communities. Using a national sample of adult Internet users (n = 419), the first premise of this study investigated the impacts of (1) sociodemographic status, (2) Internet access indicators, and (3) their interactions on the variations of capabilities, as assessed through discrete measures of Internet-related personal information skill and knowledge. The second premise introduced the factor of individual motivation in interaction with sociodemographics and Internet access indicators. Hierarchical logistic regressions showed manifest age and gender disparities, with the significant interactions indicating that Internet access exacerbates existing offline status disparities. The reinforcement of digital divide was particularly salient in knowledge dimensions. The findings are discussed with regard to the conditions that incubate systematic differences in people’s ability to understand or resist data surveillance. Implications for policy initiatives are offered.
Doctors and computers

The twin concerns of the thesis are (a) to develop a labour process analysis that is able to account for professional work and (b) in so doing to explain the reasons for hospital doctors various responses to the introduction of computer systems into medical work. This thesis constitutes a study of hospital doctors (clinicians) use of information technology in their clinic work. The first part reviews the literature and general developments in medical computing in relation to a theoretical analysis of the organisation and control of the clinic/medical labour process. The second part consists of an ethnographic study of the introduction of computer-based medical information systems into three hospitals; two being case studies of renal units and associated clinics and the third a study of an outpatients' department at a small acute hospital. The computer systems involved either replaced or supplemented the traditional form of the medical records and for this reason it was possible to focus on the role of these organisational records in the maintenance and reproduction of dominance and subordination within the labour process of clinic/medical work.
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-induced arteriogenesis reduces energy failure in hemodynamic stroke.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a powerful arteriogenic factor in the hypoperfused rat brain. To test the pathophysiological relevance of this response, the influence of GM-CSF on brain energy state was investigated in a model of hemodynamic stroke. Sprague-Dawley rats were submitted to three-vessel (bilateral vertebral and unilateral common carotid artery) occlusion (3-VO) to induce unilaterally accentuated brain hypoperfusion. One week later, hemodynamic stroke was induced by additional lowering of arterial blood pressure. Experiments were terminated by in situ freezing of the brain. ATP was measured in cryostat sections by using a bioluminescence method. The use of 3-VO, in combination with 15 min of hypotension of 50, 40, or 30 mmHg, did not produce disturbances of energy metabolism, however, focal areas of ATP depletion were unilaterally detected after 3-VO, in combination with 15 min of hypotension of 20 mmHg. Treating such animals with GM-CSF (40 microg.kg(-1). d(-1)) during the 1-week interval between 3-VO and induced hypotension significantly reduced the hemispheric volume of energy depletion from 48.8 +/- 44.2% (untreated group, n = 10) to 15.8 +/- 17.4% (treated group, n = 8, P = 0.033). GM-CSF-induced arteriogenesis is another approach to protect the brain against ischemic injury.
Bone marrow necrosis in acute leukemia: Clinical characteristic and outcome

Bone marrow necrosis (BMN) is characterized by infarction of the medullary stroma, leading to marrow necrosis with preserved cortical bone. In reported small series, BMN in hematological malignancies is associated with poor prognosis. We sought to find the impact of BMN on clinical outcome in a relatively larger cohort of patients with acute leukemias. Overall we evaluated 1,691 patients; 1,051 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 640 with acute lymphocytic leukemia referred to our institution between 2002 and 2013. Patients with AML and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were evaluated separately to determine the incidence of BMN, associated clinical features and its prognostic significance. At initial diagnosis, BMN was observed in 25 (2.4%) patients with AML and 20 (3.2%) patients with ALL. In AML, BMN was significantly associated with French–American–British AML M5 morphology (32% vs. 10%, P = 0.002). The complete remission (CR) rate in AML with and without BMN was 32% and 59% respectively (P = 0.008). Likewise, CR rate in ALL with BMN was also inferior, 70% vs. 92% (P = 0.005). The median overall survival (OS) in AML with BMN was significantly poorer, 3.7 months compared to 14 months without BMN (P = 0.003). Similarly, the median OS in ALL with and without BMN was 61.7 and 72 months respectively (P = 0.33). BMN is not a rare entity in AML and ALL, but is infrequent. BMN in AML and in ALL is suggestive of inferior response and poor prognosis. Am. J. Hematol. 90:769–773, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using quantitative wastewater analysis to measure daily usage of conventional and emerging illicit drugs at an annual music festival.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Wastewater analysis provides a non-intrusive way of measuring drug use within a population. We used this approach to determine daily use of conventional illicit drugs [cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)] and emerging illicit psychostimulants (benzylpiperazine, mephedrone and methylone) in two consecutive years (2010 and 2011) at an annual music festival. DESIGN AND METHODS Daily composite wastewater samples, representative of the festival, were collected from the on-site wastewater treatment plant and analysed for drug metabolites. Data over 2 years were compared using Wilcoxon matched-pair test. Data from 2010 festival were compared with data collected at the same time from a nearby urban community using equivalent methods. RESULTS Conventional illicit drugs were detected in all samples whereas emerging illicit psychostimulants were found only on specific days. The estimated per capita consumption of MDMA, cocaine and cannabis was similar between the two festival years. Statistically significant (P < 0.05; Z = -2.0-2.2) decreases were observed in use of methamphetamine and one emerging illicit psychostimulant (benzyl piperazine). Only consumption of MDMA was elevated at the festival compared with the nearby urban community. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Rates of substance use at this festival remained relatively consistent over two monitoring years. Compared with the urban community, drug use among festival goers was only elevated for MDMA, confirming its popularity in music settings. Our study demonstrated that wastewater analysis can objectively capture changes in substance use at a music setting without raising major ethical issues. It would potentially allow effective assessments of drug prevention strategies in such settings in the future.
Sensitivity Level-Based Citizen Personal Information Model for Privacy Protection

Citizens' privacy concerns have become a major barrier to their acceptance of e-government services, and the question of how to address these privacy issues effectively is increasingly important as government pushes service delivery online. Good protection of citizens' privacy will contribute significantly to the success of e-government services. Therefore, it is highly desirable to take into account privacy issues in e-government service integration to ensure the success of e-government services. On the one hand, there are many challenges in addressing the privacy issues in e-government service integration because users' personal information is often required for consuming e-government services and can potentially be accessed by different types of users (citizens and employees) at various government agencies. In addition, many aspects should be addressed in designing a privacy model. Several solutions have been recently proposed in the literature to deal with privacy concerns. However, there are few practical approaches for helping citizens to create their preferences for privacy protection. Ontology is considered one of the most powerful conceptual approaches to capture knowledge relevant to privacy aspects. Though ontologies for privacy have been suggested, they do not support citizens in setting up their privacy preferences based on various aspects of privacy policy, such as purpose, retention and consent. This paper proposes a new Sensitivity Level-Based Citizen Personal Information Model (SLBCPIM) that can facilitate citizens' role in controlling privacy preferences. This model organises the personal data item of a citizen into a number of sensitivity levels and links these levels with different privacy protection levels to satisfy the citizen's needs. It allows a citizen to set up his or her privacy preferences and supports computerisation of these preferences so that these preferences can be guaranteed. This model has been implemented as an ontology that is machine-readable and can be shared among e-government service systems. A simple Web-based application of this model is developed to validate the usefulness of this new model in supporting citizens in expressing their privacy preferences.