Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of a flipped classroom for model-based learning in electronics

This paper investigates the effectiveness of the flipped classroom methodology to build conceptual knowledge mentalmodels. In particular, it examines the learning process and outcomes of 40 students of a course on Physical Electronics inthe last year of a bachelor’s degree program in Physics, for which specific educational resources have been developed toimplement the flipped classroom. Among them, non-interactive resources are better to present topics and ideas, whereasinteractive resources are more useful to establish links between them to build and check the models. The examined dataentail grades, laboratory reports and rubrics, outcomes of learning activities, and direct observation, showing that theflipped classroom improves the construction of mental models, providing teaching resources where the topics and mainideas are presented, developed and exercised, and allowing students to establish links to build and check the models.Furthermore, this strategy increases the personal commitment of the students, fostering autonomy and cooperation withpeers, all of which makes it an effective pedagogical tool to build knowledge mental models.
The merging burden of HIV infection and stroke in the developing world

According to the WHO, at the end of 2014, the majority of the approximately 36.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS resided in low- to middle-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa.1 The same report indicated that cases in sub-Saharan Africa account for almost 70% of the global total of new HIV infections.1 The burden of stroke in developing countries parallels that of HIV/AIDS. Approximately 80% of people who have had a stroke live in low- to middle-income nations.2 Over the past 4 decades, stroke incidence in these countries has increased by more than 100%. 3 In developing nations, HIV/AIDS and stroke are not mutually exclusive. Growing evidence suggests that HIV infection independently increases the risk for stroke.4,5 Given the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, HIV infection may be the cause for a measureable subset of strokes in this region. However, incomplete disease surveillance and record-keeping make studying the relationship between HIV/AIDS and stroke difficult, especially in low-income nations.
On the use of the Cramér–Rao lower bound for diffuse optical imaging system design

Abstract. We evaluated the potential of the Cramér–Rao lower bound (CRLB) to serve as a design metric for diffuse optical imaging systems. The CRLB defines the best achievable precision of any estimator for a given data model; it is often used in the statistical signal processing community for feasibility studies and system design. Computing the CRLB requires inverting the Fisher information matrix (FIM), however, which is usually ill-conditioned (and often underdetermined) in the case of diffuse optical tomography (DOT). We regularized the FIM by assuming that the inhomogeneity to be imaged was a point target and assessed the ability of point-target CRLBs to predict system performance in a typical DOT setting in silico. Our reconstructions, obtained with a common iterative algebraic technique, revealed that these bounds are not good predictors of imaging performance across different system configurations, even in a relative sense. This study demonstrates that agreement between the trends predicted by the CRLBs and imaging performance obtained with reconstruction algorithms that rely on a different regularization approach cannot be assumed a priori. Moreover, it underscores the importance of taking into account the intended regularization method when attempting to optimize source–detector configurations.
The role of tramadol in current treatment strategies for musculoskeletal pain

Non-selective and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been the mainstay of treatment for musculoskeletal pain of moderate intensity. However, in addition to gastrointestinal and renal toxicity, an increased cardiovascular risk may be a class effect for all NSAIDs. Despite these safety risks and the acknowledged ceiling effect of NSAIDs, many doctors still use them to treat moderate, mostly musculoskeletal pain. Recent guidelines for treating osteoarthritis and low back pain, issued by numerous professional medical societies, recommend NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors only in strictly defined circumstances, at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest possible period of time. These recent guidelines bring more focus to the usage of paracetamol and opioids. But opioids still remain under-utilized, although they are effective with minimal organ toxicity. In this setting, the atypical, centrally acting analgesic tramadol offers important benefits. Its multi-modal effect results from a dual mode of action, ie, opioid and monoaminergic mechanisms, with efficacy in both nociceptive and neuropathic pain. Moreover, fewer instances of side effects such as constipation, respiratory depression, and sedation occur than with traditional opioids, and tramadol has been prescribed for 30 years for a broad range of indications. Tramadol is now regarded as the first-line analgesic for many musculoskeletal indications. In conclusion, it is recommended to better implement the more recent guidelines focusing on pain management and consider the role of tramadol in musculoskeletal pain treatment strategies.
Microwave-Assisted Kinetic Resolution of Homochiral (Z)-Cyclooct-5-ene-1,2-diol and (Z)-2-Acetoxycyclooct-4-enyl Acetate Using Lipases

Over the last decade, the use of biocatalysts has become an attractive alternative to conventional chemical methods, especially for organic synthesis, due to their unusual properties. Among these enzymes, lipases are the most widely used, because they are cheap, easily available, cofactor-free, and have broad substrate specificity. Combined to microwave heating in non-aqueous medium, recent results suggest that irradiation may influence the enzyme activity. This Communication reports the benefits of lipases and the microwave irradiation on the kinetic resolution of racemic homochiral (Z)-cyclooct-5-ene-1,2-diol and (Z)-2-acetoxycyclooct-4-enyl acetate. In order to best achieve the kinetic resolution, different parameters were studied including the type of lipase, the temperature, the impact of microwave power compared to conventional heating. Optimization of the reaction parameters lead to the obtainment of highly enriched or enantiopure diols and diesters in a clean, efficient and safe way.
The Relationship Between rs3212986C>A Polymorphism and Tumor Stage in Lung Cancer Patients

Background The nucleotide excision repair (NER) system is one of the most important deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair mechanisms and is critical for chemotherapy resistance. We conducted the present study to investigate the association between two polymorphisms of excision of repair cross-complementing group 1 (ERCC1), the key component of the NER pathway, and the clinicopathological features of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A total of 38 patients with confirmed NSCLC were included in our study. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. ERCC1 rs3212986 (8092) and rs11615 (118) were genotyped using molecular assays including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with restriction fragment length polymorphism (by MboII and HpyCH4 enzymes) and sequencing. Results The PCR results indicated the correct performance of the genomics extraction and molecular protocols. The distribution of C/C, C/A and A/A genotypes at position 8092 was 42.10%, 47.36%, and 10.52% respectively (P=0.03). Multivariate regression analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between C8092A (rs3212986) polymorphism and metastasis, grade of the tumor, and response to treatment. Individuals carrying the rs3212986 CA genotype and A allele had a significantly worse response to the treatment. Also, the correlation between alteration at this genomics location and patients with NSCLC who used to smoke cigarettes was positive. However, no significant association was detected between rs11615 C118>T polymorphism and demographic characteristics of patients with NSCLC. Conclusion We concluded that in lung cancer patients there is a relationship between tumor stage and rs3212986C>A polymorphism.
Distributed Optimistic Concurrency Control Methods for High-Performance Transaction Processing

There is an ever-increasing demand for more complex transactions and higher throughputs in transaction processing systems leading to higher degrees of transaction concurrency and, hence, higher data contention. The conventional two-phase locking (2PL) Concurrency Control (CC) method may, therefore, restrict system throughput to levels inconsistent with the available processing capacity. This is especially a concern in shared-nothing or data-partitioned systems due to the extra latencies for internode communication and a reliable commit protocol. The optimistic CC (OCC) is a possible solution, but currently proposed methods have the disadvantage of repeated transaction restarts. We present a distributed OCC method followed by locking, such that locking is an integral part of distributed validation and two-phase commit. This method ensures at most one re-execution, if the validation for the optimistic phase fails. Deadlocks, which are possible with 2PL, are prevented by preclaiming locks for the second execution phase. This is done in the same order at all nodes. We outline implementation details and compare the performance of the new OCC method with distributed 2PL through a detailed simulation that incorporates queueing effects at the devices of the computer systems, buffer management, concurrency control, and commit processing. It is shown that for higher data contention levels, the hybrid OCC method allows a much higher maximum transaction throughput than distributed 2PL in systems with high processing capacities. In addition to the comparison of CC methods, the simulation study is used to study the effect of varying the number of computer systems with a fixed total processing capacity and the effect of locality of access in each case. We also describe several interesting variants of the proposed OCC method, including methods for handling access variance, i.e., when rerunning a transaction results in accesses to a different set of objects.
Collection of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in cats, using an endotracheal tube.

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected from 12 anesthetized cats by use of an endotracheal tube and syringe adapter. The safety of the technique was evaluated by monitoring mucous membrane color, capillary refill time, pulse rate, respiratory rate, ECG, and arterial blood gas tensions and by necropsy findings. Group A consisted of 3 cats that were administered (by lavage) 4 aliquots of 20 ml of saline solution during anesthesia for placement of femoral artery catheters. Group B consisted of 4 cats that were administered a smaller total volume of saline solution (3 aliquots of 5 ml/kg of body weight) during a separate anesthetic period, other than the one for placement of catheters. Group C consisted of 5 cats administered 3 aliquots (5 ml/kg) of saline solution during a separate anesthetic period and administered supplemental oxygen for 5 to 10 minutes before and for 20 minutes after the lavage procedure. Group-A cats had a prolonged recovery period that was attributed to the lengthy anesthetic period required for placement of femoral catheters. The effect was eliminated in the cats of the other groups in which the lavage procedure itself accounted for only 5 to 10 minutes of anesthetic time. Evaluation of mucous membrane color, capillary refill time, ECG, pulse, and respiratory rate revealed no persistent abnormalities. Transient increase in pulse and respiratory rate was seen in some cats. Blood gas analysis revealed noticeable decrease in arterial oxygen pressures (Pao2) after the lavage procedure. In group-C cats, oxygen supplementation allowed the maintenance of normal or above normal Pao2. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A Synthetic Ecology Perspective: How Well Does Behavior of Model Organisms in the Laboratory Predict Microbial Activities in Natural Habitats?

In this perspective article, we question how well model organisms, the ones that are easy to cultivate in the laboratory and that show robust growth and biomass accumulation, reflect the dynamics and interactions of microbial communities observed in nature. Today’s -omics toolbox allows assessing the genomic potential of microbes in natural environments in a high-throughput fashion and at a strain-level resolution. However, understanding of the details of microbial activities and of the mechanistic bases of community function still requires experimental validation in simplified and fully controlled systems such as synthetic communities. We have studied methane utilization in Lake Washington sediment for a few decades and have identified a number of species genetically equipped for this activity. We have also identified co-occurring satellite species that appear to form functional communities together with the methanotrophs. Here, we compare experimental findings from manipulation of natural communities involved in metabolism of methane in this niche with findings from manipulation of synthetic communities assembled in the laboratory of species originating from the same study site, from very simple (two-species) to rather complex (50-species) synthetic communities. We observe some common trends in community dynamics between the two types of communities, toward representation of specific functional guilds. However, we also identify strong discrepancies between the dominant methane oxidizers in synthetic communities compared to natural communities, under similar incubation conditions. These findings highlight the challenges that exist in using the synthetic community approach to modeling dynamics and species interactions in natural communities.
Beneficial Effects of Green Tea—A Review

Tea is the most consumed drink in the world after water. Green tea is a ‘non-fermented’ tea, and contains more catechins, than black tea or oolong tea. Catechins are in vitro and in vivo strong antioxidants. In addition, its content of certain minerals and vitamins increases the antioxidant potential of this type of tea. Since ancient times, green tea has been considered by the traditional Chinese medicine as a healthful beverage. Recent human studies suggest that green tea may contribute to a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer, as well as to the promotion of oral health and other physiological functions such as anti-hypertensive effect, body weight control, antibacterial and antivirasic activity, solar ultraviolet protection, bone mineral density increase, anti-fibrotic properties, and neuroprotective power. Increasing interest in its health benefits has led to the inclusion of green tea in the group of beverages with functional properties. However, although all the evidence from research on green tea is very promising, future studies are necessary to fully understand its contributions to human health, and advise its regular consumption in Western diets, in which green tea consumption is nowadays limited and sporadic.
Unsupervised User Clustering in Non-orthogonal Multiple Access

Non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is one of the most promising technologies in fifth-generation mobile communication system for its advantages in serving multiuser simultaneously and enhancing spectrum efficiency. In this paper, we investigate the optimization problem of sum-rate maximization for NOMA-based system, and mainly focus on user clustering. Inspired by the correlation features of users, we introduce machine learning in user clustering. We first develop an expectation maximization (EM) based algorithm for fixed user scenario. Then, the dynamic user scenario is considered and an online EM (OLEM) based clustering algorithm is proposed. Simulation results show that the proposed EM-based and OLEM-based algorithms outperform the state-of-the-art algorithms in fixed and dynamic user scenario, respectively.
ICD-10 mild cognitive disorder: epidemiological evidence on its validity

Synopsis Criteria for the diagnosis of ICD-10 Mild Cognitive Disorder (MCD) were applied to a sample of 897 community dwelling elderly participants. Criterion A (the presence of a physical disorder) was met by 44%, Criterion B (report of a cognitive disorder) by 17%, Criterion C (an abnormality in quantified cognitive assessments) by 60%, and Criterion D (exclusion on basis of dementia and other conditions) by 74%. A total of 36 cases (4%) met all four criteria. Correlations between Criteria A and B, and B and C were weak (r = 0·18), and the correlation between Criteria A and C was almost zero (r = 0·02). This suggests that no syndrome exists. Membership of MCD was predicted by a report that memory or intelligence interfered with daily life but not by performance on cognitive tests or by a report of physical illness. Cases of MCD had higher anxiety, depression and neuroticism scores than normal elderly, but did not differ substantially on tests of cognitive functioning. These findings call into question the validity of the ICD-10 diagnosis of MCD.
Oral extended-release oxymorphone: a new choice for chronic pain relief

Opana® ER (oxymorphone extended release [ER]) is a new oral long-acting formulation indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain. Because the ER matrix slowly releases oxymorphone over 12 h, consistent plasma levels are produced with low peak-to-trough fluctuations. Oxymorphone ER is the only long-acting opioid that contains oxymorphone, which exhibits some distinct pharmacologic properties compared with most other opioids, including a longer half-life, higher affinity for the µ-opioid receptor, and lack of interaction with the CYPP450 drug-metabolizing system. With a safety and tolerability profile similar to other opioids and documented efficacy in several models of chronic pain (low back, cancer, and osteoarthritis), oxymorphone ER provides a new option for clinicians and patients in the treatment of chronic pain.
The Topology of Weak Lensing Fields

The topology of weak lensing fields is studied using the two-dimensional genus statistic. Simulated fields of the weak lensing convergence are used to study the effect of nonlinear gravitational evolution and to model the statistical errors expected in observational surveys. For large smoothing angles, the topology is in agreement with the predictions from linear theory. On smoothing angles smaller than 10', the genus curve shows the non-Gaussian signatures of gravitational clustering and differs for open and flat cold dark matter models. Forthcoming surveys with areas larger than 10 deg2 should have adequate signal-to-noise ratio to measure the non-Gaussian shape and the Ω-dependence of the genus statistic.
Wafer-scale reduced graphene oxide films for nanomechanical devices.

We report a process to form large-area, few-monolayer graphene oxide films and then recover the outstanding mechanical properties found in graphene to fabricate high Young's modulus ( =185 GPa), low-density nanomechanical resonators. Wafer-scale films as thin as 4 nm are sufficiently robust that they can be delaminated intact and resuspended on a bed of pillars or field of holes. From these films, we demonstrate radio frequency resonators with quality factors (up to 4000) and figures of merit ( f x Q>10(11)) well exceeding those of pure graphene resonators reported to date. These films' ability to withstand high in-plane tension (up to 5 N/m) as well as their high Q-values reveals that film integrity is enhanced by platelet-platelet bonding unavailable in pure graphite.
Space deformations and their application to shape modeling

We present an overview of a set of techniques called space deformations, also known as free-form deformations, warps, skinning or deformers. This family of techniques has various applications in modeling, animation, rendering or simulation, and we focus especially on their application to modeling. Space deformation techniques are mappings of space onto another space, and can therefore be applied conveniently to any embedded geometry. This independence from the underlying geometric representation of deformed shape makes even the simplest and earliest deformation techniques still applicable and popular in current industrial practice.
Secret communication system

The invention provides a secret communication system. The secret communication system comprises a transmitting end sub-system and a receiving end sub-system. The transmitting end sub-system comprises a data processing module and a data recognition module corresponding to the data processing module, the data recognition module can be called remotely, original data needing to be transmitted are processed through the data processing module and then transmitted, and after receiving processed data, the receiving end sub-system remotely calls the data recognition module to recognize the data, so that the original data are obtained, or the recognizable synonymy form of the original data is obtained, or displaying is performed through the displaying function of the remotely called data recognition module to obtain information. One or two of the data processing module and the data recognition module can be used for forming a service end sub-system, and can be remotely called from the service end sub-system in case of need. The invention further provides a secret communication terminal of the secret communication system. Compared with existing channel encryption and end-to-end encryption modes, the secret communication system and the secret communication terminal are low in cost, the secret technology and intensity can be flexibly selected and configured according to needs, and the secret communication system and the secret communication terminal can be used for various occasions such as the private occasion and the commercial occasion.
Metabolic pathways analysis and identification of heat response genes of pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.] fruit affected by elevated postharvest temperature

Pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. ] is an important tropical fruit. The pineapple fruits that are ripened in the hightemperature season have better quality, whereas those ripened in low-temperature season are acidic in taste. Elevated postharvest temperature (EPT) could enhance the quality of winter-harvested pineapple fruit. Based on transcriptome and differentially expressed genes analysis, we explored the GO (Gene Ontology) terms and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) metabolic pathways associated with the EPT treatment and the differentially expressed heat response genes of pineapple fruit after EPT treatment. GO classifications suggested that DEGs (differentially expressed genes) were predominantly annotated to “response to stimulus”, “response to external stimulus” and “aromatic compound biosynthetic process” in the biological process ontology, “hydrolase activity” and “glucosidase activity” in the molecular function ontology, as well as “intrinsic to membrane” and “cell wall” in the cellular component ontology. KEGG metabolic pathways analysis revealed that the DEGs were dominantly enriched to “starch and sucrose metabolism”, “biosynthesis of secondary metabolites”, “pentose and glucuronate interconversions”, “carotenoid biosynthesis”, “metabolic pathways” “galactose metabolism” and “plant hormone signal transduction”. Nineteen HSP (heat shock protein) and sHSP (small HSP) DEGs were screened, and most of them were up-regulated by EPT. Most of the transcription factor genes, including HSF, bHLH, WRKY, MYB, AP2/ERF, bZIP and NAC, were down-regulated by EPT. The SOD (Superoxide dismutase) genes were induced by EPT, while most of the POD (Peroxidase) and CAT (Catalase) genes were repressed. This work would help to understand the molecular mechanisms for EPT process to improve the quality of pineapple fruits.