Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling and computation of optimal decision for farmers leasing lands

In this paper, we use the real option theory to examine the critical factors affecting the decision of farmers to quit agriculture production and lease the land, model the optimal leasing decision as a perpetual American put option, and derive a partial differential complementary problem for the option value, which is solved by a power penalty approach. In addition, a finite difference method is employed to discretize the resulting nonlinear partial differential equation, and it is studied that when to lease the land is optimal for farmers. We also empirically compute and analyse the optimal exercise boundary to provide the assistance for the decision making and highlight the key details of the numerical implementation.
Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Function is Determined by Burn Severity, Sex, and Sepsis, and is Associated With Glucose Metabolism and Functional Capacity in Burned Children

Background: Restoring normal mitochondrial function represents a new target for strategies aimed at mitigating the stress response to severe burn trauma and hastening recovery. Our objective was to investigate the determinants of skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiratory capacity and function and its association with glucose metabolism and functional capacity in burned children. Methods: Data from burned children enrolled in the placebo arm of an ongoing prospective clinical trial were analyzed. Mitochondrial respiratory capacity was determined in permeabilized myofibers by high-resolution respirometry on at least one occasion per participant. In subsets of patients, glucose kinetics and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) were also determined. Mixed multiple regression models were used to identify the determinants of mitochondrial respiratory function and to assess the relationship between mitochondrial respiration and both glucose control and functional capacity (VO2peak). Main results: Increasing full-thickness burn size was associated with greater adjusted coupled (ATP-producing) respiration, adjusted for age, sex, sepsis, and time of testing (P < 0.01; n = 55, obs = 97). Girls had on average 23.3% lower coupled respiration (adjusted mean and 95% confidence of interval [CI], −7.1; −12.6 to −1.7 pmol/s/mg; P < 0.025) and 29.8% lower respiratory control than boys (adjusted mean and 95% CI, −0.66; −1.07 to −0.25; P < 0.01; n = 55, obs = 97). The presence of sepsis was associated with lower respiration coupled to ATP production by an average of 25.5% compared with nonsepsis (adjusted mean and 95% CI, −6.9; −13.0 to −0.7 pmol/s/mg; P < 0.05; n = 55, obs = 97), after adjustment for age, sex, full-thickness burn size, and time of testing. During a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, hepatic glucose release was associated with greater coupled respiration and respiratory control (P < 0.05; n = 42, obs = 73), independent of age, sepsis, full-thickness burn size, and time postinjury testing. Coupled respiration was positively associated with VO2peak after adjustment for age, full-thickness burn size, and time of exercise testing (P < 0.025; n = 18, obs = 25). Conclusions: Burn severity, sex, and sepsis influence skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in burned children. Glucose control and functional capacity are associated with altered mitochondrial respiratory function in muscle of burn survivors, highlighting the relationship of altered muscle bioenergetics with the clinical sequelae accompanying severe burn trauma.
Curcumin and aging

Turmeric has been used commonly as a spice, food additive, and an herbal medicine worldwide. Known as a bioactive polyphenolic extract of Turmeric, curcumin has a broad range of health benefit properties for humans. Recently, active research on curcumin with respect to aging and related traits in model organisms has demonstrated that curcumin and its metabolite, tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), increase mean lifespan of at least three model organisms: nematode roundworm, fruit fly Drosophila, and mouse. Nematodes grown on media containing curcumin showed a significantly increased lifespan by reducing the production of reactive oxygen species. Genes osr‐1, sek‐1, mek‐1, skn‐1, unc‐43, sir‐2.1, and age‐1 are required for curcumin‐mediated lifespan extension. The lifespan extension of Drosophila by curcumin supplementation was associated with increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and decreased lipofuscin and malondialdehyde levels. Curcumin up‐regulated expression of SOD genes and down‐regulated expression of several age‐related genes, such as dInR, ATTD, Def, CecB, and DptB. In addition, THC extended lifespan in Drosophila and inhibited the oxidative stress response by regulating FOXO and Sir2. Mice fed diets containing THC starting at the age of 13 months had significantly increased mean lifespan. In summary, the positive effects of curcumin on lifespan extension likely arise from beneficial regulation of common oxidative stress responses and age‐related genes. Understanding the molecular mechanism(s) of curcumin action has provided base knowledge and rationale for future human clinical trials, and for nutritional intervention in aging and age‐associated disorders in humans. © 2013 BioFactors, 39(1):133–140, 2013
An expert system working upon an ensemble PSO-based approach for diagnosis of coronary artery disease

It is evident that usage of data mining methods in disease diagnosis has been increasing gradually. In this paper, diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease, which is one of the most well-known diseases that cause heart failure, was conducted with such a data mining system. Many researchers have attempted to develop a medical expert system to increase the ability of physicians in detecting this disease. This paper proposes a new ensemble PSO-based approach to extract a set of rules for diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The new presented boosting mechanism considers the cooperation between generated fuzzy if-then rules using the PSO meta-heuristic. We have evaluated our new classification approach using the well-known Cleveland data set. Results indicate that the proposed learning method can detect the coronary artery disease with an acceptable accuracy. In addition, the extracted fuzzy rules have significant interpretability either.
Bone Status in Nonambulant, Epileptic, Institutionalized Youth

This study was conducted to determine if the adverse effects of anticonvulsant drug therapy and nonambulancy on bone status could be overcome with vitamin D therapy in severely handicapped individuals. Six male and five female gastrostomy fed, nonambulant, epileptic, profoundly mentally retarded individuals ranging in age from 7 to 17 years were given vitamin D therapy at a dosage of 4,000 IU/m2 body surface area/day for 6 months. Photon absorptiometry and biochemical indices of bone status were measured to follow the effects of therapy. Bone mineral content expressed as a percentage of normal improved by 11 percent (p < 0.01), from 59.6 to 66.1 percent. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, total alkaline phosphatase, and the bone isoenzyme activities declined 11 percent, 18 percent, and 11 percent respectively. These reductions were not statistically significant but they were consistent with the improvements observed by photon absorptiometry. The results of our study suggest that a conservative supplement of vitamin D will improve the bone status of severely disabled youths.
Synchronization of active power filter current reference to the network

This paper presents an improved method of current reference determination for a parallel active power filter. To insure sinusoidal line currents, thus reducing reactive power, an integrative method of reference calculation is applied. As a result, satisfactory response of line current to the load change is achieved. One of the major problems, the synchronization to the net voltage, is also considered. Classical solution is based on zero-cross detection of line voltage. Since this approach is very sensitive to the voltage distortions, a new method is suggested, relying on voltage fundamental harmonic calculation. These ideas were tested on a three-phase active power filter, controlled by 32-bit microcontroller.
On the Fairness of Range Expansion With Interference Mitigation in Heterogeneous Networks

A fair range expansion (RE) with interference mitigation scheme is exploited for heterogeneous networks (HetNet) in which picocells is overlaid with macrocells. In this strategy, not only the bias value of range expansion but also the number of users attached to the picocell is considered to improve the fairness of user association. According to the ratio of the users in the area of range expansion, certain portion of the system spectrum resources are intelligently scheduled, on which the transmit power of macro base station (MBS) is optimized via pricing-based algorithm to alleviate the macrocell's interference to the picocell users in the range expansion zone. Fairness indexes of inter-tier and intra-tier are introduced to evaluate the association fairness of users between and within the two tiers respectively. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method can provide greater system fairness and capacity, especially when large bias value of RE is configured.
Nitrifyers in constructed wetlands treating landfill leachates

A high diversity of ammonium oxidising bacteria (AOB) has been observed in overland flow areas (OFA) treating ammonia-rich landfill leachate. The current section aimed to explore if treatment OFAs in general supports more diverse AOB communities than conventional treatment systems, or if it is a result of effluent composition. The potential ammonium oxidation and the AOB community composition were studied during three seasons in an OFA where one part received wastewater and the other landfill leachate. The AOB communities were investigated using group-specific PCR primers targeting the 16S rRNA gene, and analysed by DGGE and nucleotide sequencing. The potential ammonia oxidation, studied by short-time slurry incubation, was higher in the landfill OFA than in the wastewater area and highest in the litter layer. Higher activity correlated with the appearance of Nitrosomonas sp. belonging to cluster 7. Both overland flow areas supported a more diverse AOB community than in common wastewater treatment plants. Fifteen different AOB sequences were detected, but only three were observed in both OFAs, pointing to the impact of the effluent quality and/or the hydraulic load. The wastewater OFA, which received a higher load of effluents with 5-10 times lower ammonia concentrations, was dominated by AOB populations that are usually found in less favourable conditions.
Metastability effects in bootstrap percolation ?

Bootstrap percolation models, or equivalently certain types of cellular automata, exhibit interesting finite-volume effects. These are studied here at a rigorous level. We find that for an initial configuration obtained by placing particles independently with probability p < < 1, at sites of Z d ( d a 2 ) , the density of the ‘bootstrapped’ (final) configurations in the sequence of cubes ( L / 2 , L / 2 ) d typically undergoes an abrupt transition, as L is increased, from being close to 0 to the value 1. With L fixed at a large value, the mean final density as a function of p changes from 0 to 1 around a value which varies only slowly with &the pertinent parameter being A = J ? ’ ’ ( ~ ’ ) In L. The driving mechanism is the capture of a ‘critical droplet’. This behaviour is analogous to the decay of a metastable state near a first-order phase transition, for which the present analysis offers some suggestive ideas.
Protein Function From the Perspective of Molecular Interactions and Genetic Networks

Protein function is a complex notion, which is now receiving renewed attention from a bioinformatics and genomics perspective. After a general discussion of the principles of experimental methods employed to decipher gene/protein function, the contributions made by new, high-throughput methods in terms of function discovery are discussed. Recent work on functional ontologies and the necessity to describe function within the context of hierarchical levels of complexity are presented. The concepts of molecular interactions and genetic networks are then discussed, leading to a useful new framework with which to describe protein function using new tools such as 2D interaction maps. Finally, it is proposed that interaction data could be used to develop new methods for the functional classification of proteins. An example of functional comparisons on a real data set of yeast chromosomal proteins is presented.
A Current-Control Strategy for Voltage-Source Inverters in Microgrids Based on  $H^{\infty }$  and Repetitive Control

In this paper, a current-control strategy is proposed for voltage-source inverters in microgrids. The main objective of the proposed controller is to inject a clean sinusoidal current to the grid, even in the presence of nonlinear/unbalanced loads and/or grid-voltage distortions. The repetitive control technique is adopted because it can deal with a very large number of harmonics simultaneously. The proposed current controller consists of an internal model and a stabilizing compensator, which is designed by using the H∞ control theory. It turns out that the stabilizing compensator may be simply an inductor. This leads to a very low total harmonic distortion (THD) and improved tracking performance. In order to demonstrate the improvement of performance, the proposed controller is compared with the traditional proportional-resonant, proportional-integral, and predictive deadbeat controllers. The control strategies are evaluated in the grid-connected mode with experiments under different scenarios: steady-state and transient responses without local loads, and steady-state responses with unbalanced resistive and nonlinear local loads. The proposed controller significantly outperforms the other control schemes in terms of the THD level, with the price of slightly slower dynamic responses.
Influence of the k‐space trajectory on the dynamic T1‐weighted signal in quantitative first‐pass cardiac perfusion MRI at 3T

The dynamic T1‐weighted signal in first‐pass myocardial perfusion MRI can vary as a function of k‐space trajectory. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to compare the relative T1‐weighted signal produced by the linear, centric, and reverse centric k‐space trajectories at 3T. The centric k‐space trajectory yielded higher arterial input function (AIF) than the linear and reverse centric k‐space trajectories (6.21 ± 0.84 vs. 4.75 ± 0.75 vs. 4.39 ± 0.85 mM, respectively; N = 9; P < 0.01), and the reverse centric k‐space trajectory yielded higher myocardial signal contrast (as a fraction of equilibrium magnetization) than the linear and centric k‐space trajectories (0.17 ± 0.02 vs. 0.12 ± 0.02 vs. 0.05 ± 0.01, respectively; N = 9; P < 0.001). Compared to the linear k‐space trajectory, the centric k‐space trajectory is relatively optimal for the quantification of AIF, whereas the reverse centric k‐space trajectory is relatively optimal for high contrast of myocardial wall enhancement. Magn Reson Med, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute HIV infection detection and immediate treatment estimated to reduce transmission by 89% among men who have sex with men in Bangkok

Introduction: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) reduces HIV transmission. Despite increased ART coverage, incidence remains high among men who have sex with men (MSM) in many places. Acute HIV infection (AHI) is characterized by high viral replication and increased infectiousness. We estimated the feasible reduction in transmission by targeting MSM with AHI for early ART.
Performance of Spectral Angle Mapper and Parallelepiped Classifiers in Agriculture Hyperspectral Image

Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) is used to provide a wealth of information which can be used to address a variety of problems in different applications. The main requirement in all applications is the classification of HSI data. In this paper, supervised HSI classification algorithms are used to extract agriculture areas that specialize in wheat growing and get a classified image. In particular, Parallelepiped and Spectral Angel Mapper (SAM) algorithms are used. They are implemented by a software tool used to analyse and process geospatial images that is an Environment of Visualizing Images (ENVI). They are applied on Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia as the study area. The overall accuracy after applying the algorithms on the image of the study area for SAM classification was 66.67%, and 33.33% for Parallelepiped classification. Therefore, SAM algorithm has provided a better a study area image classification.
Determination of sertraline in rat plasma by HPLC and fluorescence detection and its application to in vivo pharmacokinetic studies.

A simple, rapid, and sensitive HPLC method based on 9H-fluoren-9-ylmethyl chloroformate derivatization for the quantification of sertraline in rat plasma has been developed, requiring a plasma sample of only 0.1 mL, which was deproteinized and derivatized for 5 min in two single steps. The obtained derivative was stable at room temperature and was determined by HPLC using a fluorescence detector. The analytical column was a C(18) column and the mobile phase was acetonitrile and water (80:20, v/v). Calibration curves were linear in the range of 10-500 ng/mL. The limit of detection was approximately 3 ng/mL, and the lower limit of quantification was established at 10 ng/mL. The bias of the method was lower than 10%, and the within day as well as between day, relative standard deviations were lower than 12%. This analytical method was successfully applied to characterize sertraline pharmacokinetics in rats following intravenous (t(1/2) = 213 ± 48 min, Cl = 43.1 ± 8.7 mL/min, V(d) = 11560 ± 1861 mL) and oral (C(max) = 156 ± 76 ng/mL, t(max) = 63.8 ± 16.3 min) administration of 2 and 5 mg, respectively.
Exploring and exploiting complex behavior in self-organizing multi-agent systems

Through experiments and analysis, we discover the phenomena of self-organized criticality (SOC) arising in self-organizing multi-agent systems (SOMAS) rather than in non-self-organizing MAS. Furthermore, we attempt to utilize the phenomena of SOC in local strategies of single agents and improve the performance of SOMAS. In addition, we examine how the global patterns evolve in SOMAS as local parameters of individual agents change, and attempt to explain the critical values of the parameters based on Shannon's entropy theory.
Towards a Coherent Framework for Automated RF Front-End Design Using Hardware Abstraction

Although RF front ends represent a very important part in communication equipments, relatively small efforts have been made in order to automate their design process and, consequently, their hardware abstraction. By contrast, baseband designers routinely make use of hardware abstraction tools and techniques and use synthesis approaches to generate complex functionalities on various hardware platforms saving time and money in the process. To bridge this gap between the baseband and RF, a framework for the RF design cycle that incorporates functional description and hardware abstraction with circuit synthesis in an automated process is needed. In this paper, we propose such a framework and outline its main building blocks. The key concept in the proposed framework is a new unified matrix representation of the electrical behavior of RF components, dubbed the Q-matrix. The foundations and details of this Q-matrix representation are presented.
Neosaxitoxin in Rat Sciatic Block: Improved Therapeutic Index Using Combinations with Bupivacaine, with and without Epinephrine

Background:Neosaxitoxin (NeoSTX) is a site-1 sodium channel blocker undergoing clinical trials as a prolonged-duration local anesthetic. Rat sciatic block and intravenous infusion models were used to assess efficacy and local and systemic toxicities for NeoSTX in saline (NeoSTX-Saline), bupivacaine (Bup), and their combination (NeoSTX-Bup). Exploratory studies evaluated the effects of addition of epinephrine to NeoSTX-Bup (NeoSTX-Bup-Epi). Methods:Rats received percutaneous sciatic blocks with escalating doses of NeoSTX-Saline or NeoSTX-Bup. Sensory-nocifensive block was assessed using modified hotplate and Von Frey filaments. Motor-proprioceptive function was assessed by extensor postural thrust. Nerves were examined histologically after 7 days and scored on the Estebe–Myers scale. Median lethal dose was estimated for NeoSTX-Saline and in combinations. Accidental intravenous overdose was simulated in isoflurane-anesthetized, spontaneously breathing rats receiving NeoSTX-Saline (n = 6), Bup (n = 7), or NeoSTX-Bup (n = 13), with respiratory, hemodynamic, and electrocardiographic endpoints. Additional groups received blocks with NeoSTX-Bup-Epi (n = 80). Investigators were blinded for behavioral and histologic studies. Results:NeoSTX-Bup produced more prolonged sensory and motor block compared with NeoSTX-Saline or Bup. NeoSTX-Bup-Epi further prolonged median time to near-complete recovery for 3 &mgr;g/kg NeoSTX-Bup (hotplate: 48 vs. 6 h, P < 0.001). With sciatic injections, addition of Bup did not worsen the systemic toxicity (median lethal dose) compared with NeoSTX-Saline. Intravenous NeoSTX-Saline infusion had significantly longer times to apnea, first arrhythmia, and asystole compared with Bup (P < 0.001 for each). Histologic injury scores overall were low for all groups, with median scores of 0 (interquartile range, 0 to 0) on a 5-point scale. Conclusion:NeoSTX-Bup and NeoSTX-Bup-Epi hold promise for prolonged-duration local anesthesia.
Compliance With Gluten-free Diet in Children With Coeliac Disease

Objectives: Coeliac disease (CD) is a lifelong disorder with gluten-induced manifestations in different organs. Gluten-free diet (GFD) is required to achieve remission and prevent complications; however, study reports on GFD growth effect are not consistent. Methods: Compliance with GFD was estimated according to current body mass and height; presence of anaemia and other signs and symptoms; and attitude toward GFD. Results: Seventy-one patients with CD (mean age = 12 years; mean age after CD diagnosis = 9 years) were examined and their blood sampled for determination of endomysial antibodies (EMA), haemoglobin, and red blood cell count. Questionnaire analysis revealed 42 (59.1%; 4 EMA positive) patients to be on strict GFD, 19 (26.8%; 5 EMA positive) were taking small amounts of gluten, and 10 (14.1%; all EMA positive) were not on a diet at all. The patients on strict GFD had greatest body height, yet the difference was not significant. These patients also had a higher mean body mass (P = 0.05) and significantly higher mean haemoglobin and mean cell haemoglobin levels (P = 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively). Apart from chronic fatigue in patients on partial diet (P = 0.05), patient groups did not differ significantly in the frequency of symptoms. Anaemia and delayed puberty were recorded only in noncompliers (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Noncompliers often found the specific diet to pose a major life burden (P < 0.01) and did not visit a gastroenterologist on a regular basis (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Almost half of the coeliac patients were likely to abandon GFD without experiencing major symptoms, thus increasing the risk for developing complications later in life. An active attitude is required in the follow-up of patients with CD.