Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Facade Noise Control with Glass and Laminates

‘Design by analysis’ is premised to bridge the gap between current reliance on laboratory measurements versus actual field performance, and is illustrated by applying current technology for sound insulation to glazing elements. A paradigm shift is proposed toward reliance on calculated glazing transmission loss and use of this full noise reduction spectra to describe performance, at octave band – and preferably more intermediate – frequencies. Performance modeling is demonstrated. The entire transmission loss spectra for glass products can be simulated by calculation and preserved to combine with either exterior or interior spectra, thereby controlling upper limit interior noise quality from glazing as facade elements. Certain issues such as low frequency response and angle of incidence can be calculated better than measured. Glass has peculiar noise control problems. Glasses deserve unique standards or guides. Different glass types may have same indicated laboratory parameters, but does that relate to real world? Laminated glass appears to be the necessary and appropriate basic multiattribute choice for facade noise control. Introduction (Figures 1 and 2) Current limitations of facade glazing design for noise control include especially a reliance on laboratory measured ‘performance parameters’. Recently, paradigms for noise control have been evolving toward standards and guides producing such single figure (single-valued) acoustic parameters which discount important field performance effects, if not the specific problems peculiar to glass. Limitations include representing size (finite versus infinite plates), variation in edge constraints (boundary condition), assumptions of diffuse noise source (non-specific plane wave angle of incidence), experimental limitations for laboratory measurements at low frequencies, and averaging TL across the frequency bands. Figure 1. ISO 140 Glass Tests, FGMAJ.
A scalable wideband low-noise amplifier consisting of CMOS inverter circuits for multi-standard RF receivers

This paper presents a wideband low-noise amplifier (LNA) architecture that is scalable in terms of the chip area and supply voltage and therefore is expected to offer superior performance with technology scaling. In order to secure low-voltage scalability and allow for potential rail-to-rail operation under an ultralow supply voltage, the CMOS inverter is chosen as the basic amplifier stage. The core of the LNA gain stage comprises two CMOS inverters. To realize wideband operation with area scalability, two band broadening techniques that require neither inductors nor capacitors are adopted. First, to reduce the Miller capacitance, the classic Cherry-Hooper band broadening technique is applied to the CMOS inverter-based amplifier. Second, an active frequency peaking technique is introduced with the use of feedback through another CMOS inverter. The scalability and wideband characteristics of the proposed LNA are confirmed by comparing chips fabricated using 180nm and 90nm CMOS process technologies. The LNA in 90nm CMOS achieved 18.0 dB gain, 0.1–6.8GHz bandwidth, 3.0–5.5 dB noise figure, and 14.5mW power dissipation with occupying only 0.0032mm2, which is 48% of the 180nm CMOS LNA area.
The "exhibit mall" at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists annual clinical meeting: reflections on consumerism and medicine.

N Orleans is a city known for revelry and excess. Especially in the wake of Katrina, many residents pride themselves on maintaining this jubilant spirit, one which is often coupled with conspicuous consumption. This tone seemed appropriate as I meandered through the Exhibit Hall at this year’s Annual Clinical Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The air conditioning in the Convention Center was a welcome relief from the Louisiana humidity, as I disembarked from the CooperSurgical-sponsored shuttle bus. While the cool temperature lured me in, I had the opportunity to check my e-mail on computers with a high-speed internet connection. Thank you, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly, for the computer terminals. Upon registering for the conference, I was given a Merck lanyard for my name tag, and an Ortho Women’s Health and Urology tote bag with a stack of flyers, maps, and a 92-page “Exhibit Guide. ” The logical next step seemed to enter the grand Exhibit Hall. Although I was immediately greeted warmly by a sales representative from Wyeth Pharmac-
The Gap Study (GapS) interview--developing a process to determine the meaning and determinants of quality of life in children with arthritis and rheumatic disease.

OBJECTIVE Quality of Life (QOL) is a ubiquitous yet rarely precisely defined term. QOL may be determined by the differences (gaps) between our current situation and our expectations. Contemporary methods of measuring QOL often do not take these gaps into consideration. We performed this study to develop items and methods for measuring and valuing these gaps in order to better determine individual QOL for children with rheumatic diseases. METHODS We generated items from literature review, other QOL measures and interviews with pediatric rheumatology patients and their families. Gap-scales to measure the discrepancy between a child's current state and the expected or desired state were designed and tested iteratively in pilot interviews. RESULTS Thirty-one children (mean age=13.5 years, age range=6-17 years) and 22 parents were recruited through pediatric rheumatology clinics. The process of item generation, reduction and preliminary formatting yielded a list of 72 items. We developed a 3-point categorical scale of importance and a vertical visual analog scale (VAS) to determine individual valuation of items. 5 gap-scales were developed to reflect different aspects of the discrepancy between the child's current and expected or desired states for different QOL items. CONCLUSIONS We have developed a QOL interview based on theory that we can now test to see if it will enrich our understanding of the determinants of QOL in pediatric rheumatology patients and other chronically ill children.
Comparison of All-Inside Meniscal Repair Devices With Matched Inside-Out Suture Repair

Background: All-inside meniscal repairs are performed with increasing frequency because of the availability of newly developed devices. A comparison of their biomechanical characteristics may aid physicians in selecting a method of meniscal repair. Hypothesis: All-inside meniscal repairs will be superior to their inside-out controls in response to cyclic loading and load-to-failure testing. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Sixty-six bucket-handle tears in matched porcine menisci were repaired using the Ultra FasT-Fix, Meniscal Cinch, Ultrabraid No. 0, and FiberWire 2-0 sutures. Initial displacement, cyclic loading (100, 300, and 500 cycles), and load-to-failure testing were performed. The displacement, response to cyclic loading, and mode of failure were recorded. The stiffness was calculated. Results: The Meniscal Cinch demonstrated a significantly higher initial displacement than the other methods tested (P = .04). No significant difference was found among the methods in response to cyclic loading. The inside-out FiberWire repair demonstrated the highest load to failure (120.8 ± 23.5 N) and was significantly higher than both the Meniscal Cinch (64.8 ± 24.1 N, P < .001) and the Ultra FasT-Fix (88.3 ± 14.3 N, P = .002). It was not significantly higher than the inside-out Ultrabraid suture repair (98.8 ± 29.2 N). The inside-out FiberWire repair had the highest stiffness (28.7 ± 7.8 N/mm). It was significantly higher than the Meniscal Cinch (18.0 ± 8.8 N/mm, P = .01). The most common mode of failure in all methods was suture failure. Conclusion: An inside-out suture repair affords surgeons the best overall biomechanical characteristics of the devices tested (initial displacement, response to cyclic loading, and load to failure). For an all-inside repair, the Ultra FasT-Fix reproduces the characteristics of its matched inside-out suture repair more closely than the Meniscal Cinch. Clinical Relevance: Inside-out sutures and all-inside devices have similar responses to cyclic loading.
The Distribution of Particle-Phase Organic Compounds in the Atmosphere and Their Use for Source Apportionment during the Southern California Children’s Health Study

Abstract Atmospheric particulate matter (PM) samples from 12 sites in southern California, collected as part of the Southern California Children’s Health Study (SCCHS), were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) techniques. Ninety-four organic compounds were quantified in these samples, including n-alkanes, fatty acids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), ho-panes, steranes, aromatic diacids, aliphatic diacids, resin acids, methoxyphenols, and levoglucosan. Annual average concentrations of all detected compounds, as well as average concentrations for three seasonal periods, were determined at all 12 sites for the calendar year of 1995. These measurements provide important information about the seasonal and spatial distribution of particle-phase organic compounds in southern California. Also, co-located samples from one site were analyzed to assess precision of measurement. Excellent agreement was observed between annual average concentrations for the broad range of organic compounds measured in this study. Measured concentrations from the 12 sampling sites were used in a previously developed molecular-marker source apportionment model to quantify the primary source contributions to the PM10 organic carbon and mass concentrations at these 12 sites. Source contributions to atmospheric PM from six important air pollution sources were quantified: gasoline-powered motor vehicle exhaust, diesel vehicle exhaust, wood smoke, vegetative detritus, tire wear, and natural gas combustion. Important trends in the seasonal and spatial patterns of the impact of these six sources were observed. In addition, contributions from meat smoke were detected in selected samples.
Incomes, Incentives and the Growth of Means-Testing in Hungary

The purpose of this paper is to examine the reform of family benefits and the growth of means-testing in Hungary. From 1996, many family benefits were means-tested for the first time. A new microsimulation model for Hungary, running on recent survey microdata, is used to simulate the impact of the 1996 reforms on government expenditures, the distribution of incomes, the targeting of benefits and effective marginal tax rates. These reforms are found to be largely benign and even progressive, but they also appear to be paving the way for the further extension of means-testing. The model is used to investigate such an extension by simulating the impact of a UK-style system of means-tested family benefits in Hungary. This system achieves some expenditure savings and better targeting of benefits, but also greatly increases effective marginal tax rates on low-income households with children. The paper argues that resulting poverty traps may increase child poverty in Hungary in the longer term and cautions against the overextension of means-testing.
Propranolol and amitriptyline in prophylaxis of migraine. Pharmacokinetic and therapeutic effects.

OBJECTIVES To determine if the effectiveness of propranolol hydrochloride and amitriptyline hydrochloride are correlated with blood levels and/or with standardized test of pharmacologic effect and to determine which clinical variables are predictors of response to one or the other medication. DESIGN Three-month modules of treatment with each drug and placebo in a randomized crossover design. Headache scores from daily diaries were calculated at monthly intervals, as were simultaneous blood levels of drug, supine and standing blood pressure, pulse rise with exercise, and salivary flow. SETTING Outpatient headache clinic at the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City. PATIENTS Thirty consecutive patients with a history of frequent migraine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS From headache scores, patients were classified as either propranolol responders, amitriptyline responders, or nonspecific responders. Clinical variables as predictors of response to medications were studied, as were effects on frequency, duration, and/or severity of headache. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS No significant correlations were found between changes in headache score and blood level of drug or change in any of the physiologic measurements. Amitriptyline significantly reduced the severity, frequency, and duration of headache attacks; propranolol reduced the severity of attacks only. Amitriptyline response was correlated with female gender and baseline headaches of shortest duration and of highest frequency. Propranolol response was associated with attacks of greatest duration at baseline and with low pulse rise with exercise at baseline. Nonspecific response was associated with male gender and most frequent headaches by history.
UNLOCK: Uncovering and Noting Long-term Outcomes in COPD to enhance knowledge.

a Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands b Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Uppsala University,Sweden c Spanish Primary Care Respiratory Group (GRAP), Spain. d Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway e School of Population Health & Clinical Practice, University of Adelaide, Australia f University of Alberta, Canada g International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG), United Kingdom h Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom i Department of General Practice, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands j Centre of Academic Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
A novel transcriptional regulation mechanism in the flagellar regulon of Salmonella typhimurium: an anti‐sigma factor inhibits the activity of the flagellum‐specific Sigma factor, σF

We have studied the molecular mechanism of the negative regulation by flgM of the late operons of the flagellar regulon of Salmonella typhimurium. A 7.8 kDa protein that was identified as the flgM gene product was purified to homogeneity; its amino‐terminal sequence was identical to the deduced sequence except for the lack of the initiating methionine. The purified FlgM repressed transcription from the fliC promoter, one that is activated by the sigma factor, FliA (σF). No DNA‐binding activity was detected in FlgM. Chemical cross‐linking experiments showed that the purified FlgM bound to σF and disturbed Its ability to form a complex with RNA polymerase core enzyme. These results indicate that FlgM is a novel type of negative regulator that probably inactivates the flagellum‐specific sigma factor through direct interaction, i.e. it is an anti‐sigma factor.
Tree-structured piecewise linear adaptive equalization

The authors propose using a tree-structured piecewise linear filter as an adaptive equalizer. The tree-structured approach offers several advantages. First, it makes use of standard linear adaptive filtering techniques at each node to find the corresponding conditional linear filter. Second, it allows for efficient selection of the subtree and the corresponding piecewise linear filter of appropriate complexity. Overall, the approach is computationally efficient and conceptually simple. <<ETX>>
Differential Psychological Performances in Major Motor, Psychomotor, and Mixed Seizure Classifications of Known and Unknown Etiology

Comparisons on an extensive battery of psychological tests were made in the following eight groups of patients. Three groups with seizures of known etiology (major motor, psychomotor, and mixed major motor and psychomotor) were matched on age, education, and diagnostic classification and were compared with three similar groups of seizure patients in whom etiology was unknown, and with a control group and a group of brain damaged patients without epilepsy. Using intergroup differences on the Halstead Impairment Index as a summary measure of performance level, the results indicated that all groups except the group with psychomotor epilepsy of unknown etiology demonstrated significant impairment in comparison to control subjects. No differences were found between the test performances of controls and subjects with psychomotor epilepsy of unknown etiology. Patients with psychomotor epilepsy of unknown etiology performed at significantly better levels than did patients with major motor seizures of unknown etiology. The groups with psychomotor seizures of known etiology achieved higher mean scores on each test variable than did the group with major seizures of known etiology, although the differences were not nearly as clear as in the comparisons involving psychomotor and major motor seizures of unknown etiology.
A Savings Based Ant System For The Vehicle Routing Problem

In this paper we study the merit of using the well known Savings algorithm within the framework of an Ant System to tackle the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP). First, we show the influence of the pheromone information on the solution quality, by comparing the Ant System with a randomized implementation of the Savings algorithm. Second, we evaluate our approach on benchmark data sets. Finally, we provide numerical results about the average and worst case behavior of our algorithm.
Blockade of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Does Not Prevent Acute Renal Allograft Rejection

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro‐inflammatory molecule involved in cell‐mediated immunity and delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH). We inhibited systemic and local MIF production to determine its contribution to acute rejection (AR). Skin DTH response and acute rejection of skin and kidney allografts were examined using MIF gene knockout (MIF –/–) and wild‐type mice (MIF +/+) with anti‐MIF or control antibody. MIF‐Ab reduced skin DTH by 60% (p < 0.01), but absence of the MIF gene (MIF –/–) had no effect. Local absence of MIF had no effect on the survival of skin grafted onto BALB/c recipients. Similarly MIF +/+ and MIF –/– kidneys transplanted into BALB/c recipients showed a similar degree of histological rejection, graft dysfunction and cellular infiltrate suggesting that AR is not dependent on local MIF production. To investigate the influence of systemic MIF, BALB/c donor skin was grafted onto MIF +/+ and MIF –/– mice. The tempo of AR was not altered by systemic absence of MIF (MIF‐Ab or MIF –/–). BALB/c kidneys transplanted into MIF +/+ (with or without MIF‐Ab) and MIF –/– mice showed similar parameters of rejection. MIF blockade reduces the DTH response; however, neither local nor systemic MIF are required for the rejection of fully mismatched skin and renal allografts.
Right Ventricular Function During Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with pulmonary embolization of cement-bone marrow debris leading to cardiopulmonary complications including cardiac arrest. These complications are more prevalent during revision THA. This report assessed right ventricular function using a right ventricular ejection fraction pulmonary artery catheter (RVEF) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in 18 patients undergoing revision THA. During femoral prosthesis insertion, all patients exhibited hemodynamic changes, but most of these were small and clinically insignificant. Four patients demonstrated a decrease in RVEF >or=to 10% and an increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure >or=to 10 mm Hg, requiring physician intervention. Two of these patients exhibited signs of pulmonary embolization postoperatively. All patients studied by TEE had detectable intracardiac emboli during femoral arthroplasty. The acute decreases in RVEF and increases in mean pulmonary artery pressures during hip arthroplasty, suggest a role for the embolization of bone marrow debris in the development of the "bone cement implantation syndrome. " (Anesth Analg 1996;82:1225-9)
In-feed antibiotic effects on the swine intestinal microbiome

Antibiotics have been administered to agricultural animals for disease treatment, disease prevention, and growth promotion for over 50 y. The impact of such antibiotic use on the treatment of human diseases is hotly debated. We raised pigs in a highly controlled environment, with one portion of the littermates receiving a diet containing performance-enhancing antibiotics [chlortetracycline, sulfamethazine, and penicillin (known as ASP250)] and the other portion receiving the same diet but without the antibiotics. We used phylogenetic, metagenomic, and quantitative PCR-based approaches to address the impact of antibiotics on the swine gut microbiota. Bacterial phylotypes shifted after 14 d of antibiotic treatment, with the medicated pigs showing an increase in Proteobacteria (1–11%) compared with nonmedicated pigs at the same time point. This shift was driven by an increase in Escherichia coli populations. Analysis of the metagenomes showed that microbial functional genes relating to energy production and conversion were increased in the antibiotic-fed pigs. The results also indicate that antibiotic resistance genes increased in abundance and diversity in the medicated swine microbiome despite a high background of resistance genes in nonmedicated swine. Some enriched genes, such as aminoglycoside O-phosphotransferases, confer resistance to antibiotics that were not administered in this study, demonstrating the potential for indirect selection of resistance to classes of antibiotics not fed. The collateral effects of feeding subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics to agricultural animals are apparent and must be considered in cost-benefit analyses.
Musical Instrument Classification Using Embedded Hidden Markov Models

In this paper, a novel method for recognition of musical instruments in a polyphonic music is presented by using an embedded hidden Markov model (EHMM). EHMM is a doubly embedded HMM structure where each state of the external HMM is an independent HMM. The classification is accomplished for two different internal HMM structures where GMMs are used as likelihood estimators for the internal HMMs. The results are compared to those achieved by an artificial neural network with two hidden layers. Appropriate classification accuracies were achieved both for solo instrument performance and instrument combinations which demonstrates that the new approach outperforms the similar classification methods by means of the dynamic of the signal. Keywords—hidden Markov model (HMM), embedded hidden Markov models (EHMM), MFCC, musical instrument.