Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual modeling and simulation of multiscale phenomena

Many large-scale systems seen in real life, such as human crowds, fluids, and granular materials, exhibit complicated motion at many different scales, from a characteristic global behavior to important small-scale detail. Such multiscale systems are computationally expensive for traditional simulation techniques to capture over the full range of scales. In this dissertation, I present novel techniques for scalable and efficient simulation of these large, complex phenomena for visual computing applications. These techniques are based on a new approach of representing a complex system by coupling together separate models for its large-scale and fine-scale dynamics. In fluid simulation, it remains a challenge to efficiently simulate fine local detail such as foam, ripples, and turbulence without compromising the accuracy of the large-scale flow. I present two techniques for this problem that combine physically-based numerical simulation for the global flow with efficient local models for detail. For surface features, I propose the use of texture synthesis, guided by the physical characteristics of the macroscopic flow. For turbulence in the fluid motion itself, I present a technique that tracks the transfer of energy from the mean flow to the turbulent fluctuations and synthesizes these fluctuations procedurally, allowing extremely efficient visual simulation of turbulent fluids. Another large class of problems which are not easily handled by traditional approaches is the simulation of very large aggregates of discrete entities, such as dense pedestrian crowds and granular materials. I present a technique for crowd simulation that couples a discrete per-agent model of individual navigation with a novel continuum formulation for the collective motion of pedestrians. This approach allows simulation of dense crowds of a hundred thousand agents at near-real-time rates on desktop computers. I also present a technique for simulating granular materials, which generalizes this model and introduces a novel computational scheme for friction. This method efficiently reproduces a wide range of granular behavior and allows two-way interaction with simulated solid bodies. In all of these cases, the proposed techniques are typically an order of magnitude faster than comparable existing methods. Through these applications to a diverse set of challenging simulation problems, I demonstrate the benefits of the proposed approach, showing that it is a powerful and versatile technique for the simulation of a broad range of large and complex systems.
Design of power converters on 3D-MIDs for driving three-dimensional LED-lamps

The technology of 3D-Molded Interconnect Devices (3D-MID) is investigated as an alternative to circuit board technologies for the realization of novel 3D LED-lighting systems with integrated power electronics. Design constraints for the realization of power electronics on 3D-MID are derived for systems up to 20W power. Limitations are caused by the single layer 3D-MID layout and its low copper thickness, because they directly influence the thermal management, the ampacity and hence the circuit routing of the LED-driver. A prototype system of an automotive day-time running light has been built and tested to prove the realization of LED-lighting systems on 3D-MIDs. The prototype uses an optimized power-sharing technique with reduced wiring effort and contains an adapted thermal management required for its realization on a single, 10µm thin copper layer.
Noise Field Measurements for Safety Use of Environmental Electronic and Electrical Equipment

This paper aims to determine the measurements for the EMF of some appliances for a healthy human subject including a variety of ELF and RF ranges and to detect the Hot Spot distance and time dependent. Two alternative methods are used for measuring the electromagnetic field and are compared with each other. The first method is by using a cell sensor device to obtain the relation between power densities or electromagnetic field strength at various distances from the objects. The second method depends on a hardware design, by using the Hall Effect sensor SS46 and PIC 16F 877A microcontroller for electromagnetic field measuring and monitoring. The measured values are collected from the sensor, and transmitted to the computer through the RS232 serial port. The results of the electromagnetic field measurement are compared against the results of the cell sensor device which are illustrated in the paper. The results of measurements are compared to FCC and ICNIRP guidelines for limiting time exposure. The results of measurements concerning a threshold or Hot Spot using appliances in home and working environment presents the limit of safe exposures as a function of time.
Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Tamus communis L. ssp. cretica (L.) Kit Tan and Its Mineral Composition

The aim of the present work was to examine antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Tamus communis L. ssp. cretica (L.) Kit Tan (Dioscoreaceae). The applied methods for the antioxidant activity of aqueous extract from the aerial parts of the plant were 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, flow injection analysis-luminol chemiluminescence (FIA-CL) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assays. Total phenolic content of the aqueous extract was determined with spectrophotometric method. The antimicrobial activity of the n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts of the aerial parts of the plant was assessed towards selected bacteria. In addition, mineral composition of the raw plant was examined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Aqueous extract of T. communis ssp. cretica was found to possess DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC50= 2.85±1.30 mg/mL), inhibitory effect on H2O2- and HOCl-luminol chemiluminescence (-log IC50=3.8±0.09 and IC50=1.3x10 -3 ±4.9x10 -4 mg/mL), and inhibitory activity toward lipid peroxidation (IC50=3.82±1.67 µg/mL) compared to the references. Total phenolic content of the aqueous extract was found to be 56.66±0.21 mg gallic acid/g extract. The n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extracts showed moderate activity having MIC values of 250-500 µg/mL against selected microorganisms. According to our results of mineral composition, the raw plant has low amount of toxic elements (Pb, Cd and Al), macro (Ca and Mg), and microelements (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn).
On the mechanism of translocation of pyruvate and other monocarboxylic acids in rat-liver mitochondria.

1Pyruvate equilibrates, like other carboxylic acids, across the membrane of rat-liver mitochondria according to the transmembrane pH difference. 2Comparison of the rate of pyruvate, acetoacetate and acetate efflux from mitochondria as well as a study of the effect of mersalyl and N-ethylmaleimide on this process, show that the diffusion of pyruvic and acetoacetic acid across the mitochondrial membrane is carrier-mediated. The process might consist of pyruvate (acetoacetate) hydroxyl ion exchange-diffusion or of pyruvic acid (acetoacetic acid) uniport. On the contrary acetic acid appears to diffuse freely across the membrane. 3The initial rate of the net pyruvate uptake by rat liver mitochondria follows saturation kinetics. The increase of the external pH of the medium as well as the addition of acetoacetate inhibit competitively pyruvate uptake. Pyruvate uptake is inhibited by mersalyl and N-ethylmaleimide. 4Mitochondria1 [14C]pyruvate exchanges with unlabelled pyruvate and acetoacetate but not with other monocarboxylates, Pi and citric-acid cycle intermediates. 5The pyruvate-pyruvate and pyruvate-acetoacetate exchanges follow saturation kinetics and exhibit the same V but different Km values. Both the exchanges are inhibited by mersalyl, but not by N-ethylmaleimide. 6It is concluded that pyruvate translocation across the mitochondrial membrane is mediated by a specific transport system.
Cyclooxygenase-2 Promoter Activation by the Aromatic Hydrocarbon Receptor in Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells: Repressive Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Abstract The role of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in transcriptional regulation of the human cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene remains elusive. We report that the AhR-ligands benzo[a]pyrene and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) induced transcription activity of COX-2 in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The TCDD-dependent activation of the COX-2 promoter was abrogated by mutation of 2 xenobiotic response elements (XREs) = CGTG). We found that TCDD stimulated the binding of the AhR to COX-2 and cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) oligonucleotides containing consensus XREs. Conversely, the cotreatment with TCDD plus a mixture of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or selected CLA isomers prevented (CLAmix = t10,c12-CLA > c9,t11-CLA) the induction of transcription from the COX-2 promoter. The TCDD-induced binding of the AhR to COX-2 and CYP1A1 oligonucleotides was repressed by cotreatment with CLA (t10,c12-CLA > c9,t11-CLA), and the AhR antagonists, 3-methoxy-4-naphthoflavone, and resveratrol. We conclude that the AhR may be a suitable target for prophylactic strategies that target COX-2 expression.
The Rationale and Development of an Adult Cardiac Anesthesia Module to Supplement the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database: Using Data to Drive Quality

BACKGROUND The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) was established in 1978 with a core mission to promote excellence in clinical care, education, and research in cardiovascular anesthesiology. On January 28, 2013, the SCA launched a groundbreaking collaboration with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) to incorporate an Adult Cardiac Anesthesia Module into the STS national database. This collaboration will allow anesthesiologists, surgeons, and others to better understand the influence of cardiothoracic anesthesia practices, including intraoperative echocardiography, on clinical outcomes among patients undergoing cardiothoracic operations. Despite important advances in anesthesia management and perioperative care for high-risk and critically ill patients, the shortand long-term impact is not yet fully understood. Therefore, the systematic accumulation and integration of perioperative anesthesia and surgical data will be extremely valuable. Anesthesiologists in general, and the SCA specifically, have long been at the forefront of patient safety initiatives in the operating room and the perioperative setting. Their efforts have led to an unprecedented level of safety for even high-risk patients requiring anesthesia for surgical procedures.1–5 Advances in anesthesiology and perioperative care have also allowed surgeons to reliably and safely perform more technically complex operations such as minimally invasive cardiac operations, thoracic endovascular aortic repairs, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement.6–9 The collaboration between the SCA and the STS to create an SCA/STS national database is an important step in the continuing effort to improve patient care and safety, generate knowledge, and foster the clinical application of advances in cardiothoracic anesthesiology.
Auction-based spectrum sharing for multiple primary and secondary users in cognitive radio networks

In a cognitive radio network (CRN), a primary (licensed) user (PU) can share its frequency spectrum by renting this spectrum to a secondary (unlicensed) user (SU). In this paper, we propose an auction-based CRN model whose novelty is considering multiple PUs along with multiple SUs. These PUs compete with each other so that they can earn more profit while the SUs pay less and earn higher payoffs. This situation is formulated as an oligopoly market. For the SUs, we adopt Hackner utility function to obtain the demands for the frequency spectrum and according to their payoff functions the best scenario in each stage of the dynamic spectrum sharing game is selected in the case in which there is a limit on PUs to supply SUs' demands. Simulation results show that our proposed model satisfies both groups of PUs and SUs.
Circularly polarized wideband EQSP antenna backed by a cavity with arc-shaped strip absorbers

An equiangular spiral antenna backed by a cavity is investigated using the electric and magnetic fields obtained using Yeepsilas FDTD method. Strip absorbers are placed inside the cavity. Antenna configuration parameters other than the cavity height Hcav are fixed throughout this paper, where the cavity diameter Dcav is chosen to be 120 mm (slightly larger than the antenna diameter of 113 mm). The investigation is performed for frequencies from 2 GHz to 10 GHz. The cavity height Hcav is chosen to be small and varied from 3.5 mm = 0.035lambda3 to 10.5 mm = 0.105lambda3, where lambda3 is the wavelength at 3 GHz. It is found that, as the cavity height Hcav is increased, (1) variation in the input impedance becomes smaller over a wide frequency range, i.e., the input impedance characteristic becomes relatively constant, (2) the axial ratio at low frequencies improves, and (3) the gain at low frequencies increases.
Consolidation and Value Creation in the Insurance Industry: The Role of Governance

We examine the long run performance of M&A transactions in the property-liability insurance industry. We specifically investigate whether such transactions create value for the bidders' shareholders and assess how corporate governance mechanisms affect such performance. Our results show that M&A create value in the long run as buy and hold abnormal returns are positive and significant after three years. While tender offers appear to be more profitable than mergers, our evidence does not support the conjecture that domestic transactions create more value than cross border transactions. Furthermore, positive returns are significantly higher for frequent acquirers and in countries where investor protection is better. Internal corporate governance mechanisms are also significant determinants of the performance of bidders.
Cholesterol and Sphingolipid Enhance the Triton X-100 Insolubility of Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored Proteins by Promoting the Formation of Detergent-insoluble Ordered Membrane Domains*

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins can be isolated from both cells and sphingolipid and cholesterol-rich liposomes (SCRLs) in association with detergent-insoluble membranes. We found previously that detergent insolubility of lipids was characteristic of phases in which lipid acyl chains are ordered. We presented evidence that GPI-anchored proteins are insoluble because they associate with cholesterol and sphingolipid-rich lipid domains with properties similar to the liquid-ordered phase. Here, this model was tested by a variety of approaches. First, we demonstrated that saponin, which removes cholesterol from cell membranes and allows solubilization of GPI-anchored proteins by Triton X-100, had the same effect on the GPI-anchored protein alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) in SCRLs of appropriate lipid composition. The similarity of saponin action in cells and simple liposomes suggests that the compound disrupts protein-lipid interactions. However, direct interactions between PLAP and cholesterol were not needed for insolubility, because the protein was also insoluble in cholesterol-free liposomes containing lipid in an ordered phase. Instead, cholesterol acted by greatly enhancing the formation of a detergent-insoluble phase by sphingolipids, which have a tendency to form ordered phases. We propose that saponin solubilizes GPI-anchored proteins because the lipid composition of cell membranes (and the SCRLs used above) supports ordered phase formation in the presence but not the absence of cholesterol. Supporting this model, saponin did not promote Triton X-100 solubilization of PLAP in SCRLs with sphingolipid levels high enough to allow ordered phase formation in the absence of cholesterol. We also showed that two additional GPI-anchored proteins are detergent-insoluble in SCRLs and that detergent does not artifactually create ordered domains or cause components of solubilized membranes to associate with detergent-resistant membranes present in separate bilayers in the same lysate. We conclude that the ordered domain model explains the behavior of detergent-resistant membranes in liposomes and cells.
Retrieval of cloud base heights from passive microwave and cloud top temperature data

Water vapor profiling algorithms that treat liquid clouds explicitly yield a cloud base height as a byproduct. A single case of a water vapor profile retrieval using a combination of the SSM/T-2 on the DMSP satellite and cloud parameters from the AVHRR on the NOAA satellite retrieved a reasonable cloud base. While hardly definitive, this case is suggestive. The authors examine the cloud base signal in a combination of the SSM/1 and SSM/T-2 on the DMSP satellite from a theoretical point of view. It is shown that the signal is strong enough for a useful retrieval only over the ocean. For low altitudes, a cloud top temperature (CTT) constraint, as could be provided from an infrared radiometer, is required. While difficult with the DMSP-NOAA satellite combination, this has become much easier with the recent launch of NOAA-K with the AMSU-B and AVHRR. It is shown that the signal is acceptable over the relevant range of cloud liquid water content values. To achieve useful results, some local tuning of the algorithm will be necessary. This tuning could take the form of water vapor profile covariance matrices, climatological estimates of the cloud liquid water density, or purely empirical methods. Broken and multilayer clouds provide additional complications to the problem.
Bone marrow stromal cells protect oligodendrocytes from oxygen‐glucose deprivation injury

Oligodendrocyte (OLG) damage leads to demyelination, which is frequently observed in ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on OLGs subjected to oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD). N20.1 cells (mouse OLG cell line) were transferred into an anaerobic chamber for 3 hr in glucose‐free and serum‐free medium. After OGD incubation, OLG cultures were divided into the following groups: 1) OGD alone, 2) OLG cocultured with BMSCs, 3) treatment with the phosphoinostide 3‐kinase (PI3k) inhibitor LY294002, 4) LY294002‐treated OLGs with BMSC cocultured, and 5) anti‐p75 antibody‐treated OLGs. After an additional 3 hr of reoxygenation incubation, OLG viability and apoptosis were measured. The mRNA expression in the BMSCs and OLGs was analyzed using quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR). Serine/threonine‐specific protein kinase (Akt), phosphorylated Akt (p‐Akt), p75, and caspase 3 protein expressions in OLGs were measured by Western blot. Our results suggest that BMSCs produce growth factors, activate the Akt pathway, and increase the survival of OLGs. BMSCs also reduce p75 and caspase 3 expressions in the OGD‐OLGs, which leads to decreased OLG apoptosis. BMSCs participate in OLG protection that may occur with promoting growth factors/PI3K/Akt and inhibiting the p75/caspase pathways. Our study provides insight into white matter damage and the therapeutic benefits of BMSC‐based remyelinating therapy after stroke and demyelinating diseases. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 2-element reconfigurable MIMO antenna consisting of miniaturized patch elements

In this paper, a frequency reconfigurable multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna is presented. The proposed antenna consists of miniaturized patch antenna elements, loaded with varactor diodes to achieve frequency reconfigurability. The antenna has a bandwidth of 50 MHz with frequency reconfigurability range from 2.1 GHz to 2.4 GHz. The antenna is designed on an FR4 substrate and occupying a space of 50×100×0.8 mm3. The antenna is analyzed from far-field characteristics as well as for MIMO performance parameters.
Fine Structure of Nerve Endings and Junctions in the Superior Cervical Ganglion of the Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The superior cervical ganglion of the one humped camel was studied using an electron microscope. The ganglion contained presumptive cholinergic endings, presumptive aminergic endings, and presumptive sensory endings. Presumptive cholinergic endings contained numerous small clear vesicles, a few large dense‐cored vesicles, and mitochondria. They frequently made synaptic junctions with dendritic processes and, occasionally, with axons in transit. There were few presumptive aminergic endings and they were characterized by a mixed population of dense‐cored vesicles and clear vesicles. They only made synaptic junctions with axons in transit. Presumptive sensory endings were characterized by numerus slender mitochondria and had no synaptic junctions of any kind. Symmetrical membrane thickenings (puncta adherens) were frequently encountered in this study, usually between dendritic processes and other neuronal elements of the superior cervical ganglion.
Conceptual-Linguistic Superintelligence

We argue that artificial intelligence capable of sustaining an uncontrolled intelligence explosion must have a conceptual-linguistic faculty with substantial functional similarity to the human faculty. We then argue for three subsidiary claims: first, that detecting the presence of such a faculty will be an important indicator of imminent superintelligence; second, that such a superintelligence will, in creating further increases in intelligence, both face and consider the same sorts of existential risks that humans face today; third, that such a superintelligence is likely to assess and question its own values, purposes, and drives.
Zika virus: new emergencies, potential for severe complications, and prevention of transfusion-transmitted Zika fever in the context of co-circulation of arboviruses.

We read with great interest the review article entitled "Zika virus and the never-ending story of emerging pathogens and transfusion medicine" by Marano et al. 1 This paper reviews data about Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus) with a special focus on its potential impact on blood transfusion. We would like to add complementary data to this manuscript about the spread of ZIKV, complications of Zika fever, and prevention of transfusion-transmitted Zika fever by nucleic acid testing (NAT) and pathogen inactivation (PI) in the setting of co-circulation of arboviruses.
Utilizing the components of vector irradiance to estimate the scalar irradiance in natural waters.

A Monte Carlo computer simulation has been used to determine the ratio of the scalar irradiance E(0) to the downwelling irradiance E(d). These E(0)/E(d) ratios were calculated at depths corresponding to the 100, 10, and 1% downwelling irradiance levels. A range of volume reflectance 0 </= R </= 0.14 was considered, as were six conditions of incident radiation (collimated beams with incident angles 0 </= theta' </= 89 degrees plus a diffuse cardioidal distribution). Mathematical expressions were curve fitted to the Monte Carlo outputs to yield relationships between E(0)/E(d) and R for the depths and incident conditions considered. It was found that in many cases a single relationship would not accommodate the entire range of volume reflectances and that R = 0.055 provided an appropriate demarcation for mathematical curve fitting. Curves, tables, and equations are presented which indicate (a) for all R>~0.02, the E(0)/E(d) ratio at the 1% downwelling irradiance depth is the same for theta' = 0 degrees as for diffuse cardioidal incidence, and (b) for R>~0.08, the E(0)/E(d) ratio at the 10% downwelling irradiance depth for theta'= 0 degrees is nearly the same as the E(0)/E(d) ratio at the 1% downwelling irradiance depth for diffuse cardioidal incidence.