Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dual-Layer EBG-Based Miniaturized Multi-Element Antenna for MIMO Systems

A dual-layer electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) mushroom structure is proposed in this paper. Based on the concept of slow-wave propagation, this structure can reduce the size of multi-element microstrip patch antennas (MPAs) by 61%. While the mushroom inner layer aids in the antenna miniaturization, the more compact upper layer acts as a band-stop filter further reducing the mutual coupling between the miniaturized patch antenna elements, which is otherwise not possible for a single-layer EBG structure. Various 2- and 4-element miniaturized MPAs are proposed for 2.5-GHz band applications, with antenna elements closely spaced at 0. 5λ and low mutual coupling levels in the range of -28 dB to -50 dB. Furthermore, the achievable multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) channel capacities of these miniaturized multi-antennas are analyzed using the Kronecker channel model and tested in various propagation scenarios like the anechoic chamber, reverberation chamber and indoor. It is observed that the miniaturized MPAs can provide significant gains in MIMO capacity in all the signal scattering environments and are close to the theoretical limit of i.i. d. Rayleigh fading.
Random telegraph noise in flash memories - model and technology scaling

This paper presents the first statistical model of Vt fluctuation (ΔVt<sub>cell</sub>) in a floating-gate flash memory due to random telegraph noise. It considers current-path percolation, which generates a large-amplitude-noise tail, caused by dopant induced surface potential non-uniformity It concludes that the impact of scaling is weaker than the widely-accepted 1/L<sub>eff</sub>W<sub>eff</sub> trend. 3-σ ΔVt<sub>cell</sub> is estimated to increase by 1.8x rather than ≫10x from 90 nm to 20 nm technology nodes.
The cholesterol derivative 27-hydroxycholesterol reduces steatohepatitis in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is characterized by hepatic steatosis with inflammation. Although steatosis is benign and reversible, inflammation can increase liver damage. Hepatic inflammation has been associated with accumulation of cholesterol in lysosomes of Kupffer cells. 27-Hydroxycholesterol (27HC), a derivative of cholesterol formed by CYP27A1, can mobilize cholesterol from the lysosomes to the cytoplasm. We investigated whether 27HC can change the intracellular distribution cholesterol and reduce hepatic inflammation in mice. METHODS We transplanted bone marrow from irradiated wild-type or Cyp27a1(-/-) mice to mice that do not express the low density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr(-/-)), which are hyperlipidemic; 9 weeks later, mice were fed either regular chow or a high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFC) diet for 3 months. In a separate experiment, Ldlr(-/-) mice were given subcutaneous injections of 27HC and placed on regular chow or HFC diets for 3 weeks. Blood and liver tissues samples were collected and analyzed for intracellular cholesterol distribution and inflammation. RESULTS In Ldlr(-/-) mice that received bone marrow transplants from Cyp27a1(-/-) mice, lysosomes of Kupfer cells had a greater accumulation of cholesterol than those of mice that received bone marrow from wild-type mice, after the HFC diet. Liver histology and gene expression analyses showed increased inflammation and liver damage in mice given bone marrow transplants from Cyp27a1(-/-) mice and placed on the HFC diet. Administration of 27HC to Ldlr(-/-) mice, following the HFC diet, reduced the accumulation of lysosomal cholesterol and hepatic inflammation, compared with mice that were not given 27HC. CONCLUSIONS Accumulation of cholesterol in lysosomes of Kupfer cells promotes hepatic inflammation in mice. The cholesterol derivative 27HC reduces accumulation of cholesterol in lysosomes and might be used to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Denoising 3D Microscopy Images of Cell Nuclei using Shape Priors on an Anisotropic Grid

This paper presents a new multiscale method to denoise three-dimensional images of cell nuclei. The specificity of this method is its awareness of the noise distribution and object shapes. It combines a multiscale representation called Isotropic Undecimated Wavelet Transform (IUWT) with a nonlinear transform, a statistical test and a variational method, to retrieve spherical shapes in the image. Beyond extending an existing 2D approach to a 3D problem, our algorithm takes the sampling grid dimensions into account. We compare our method to the two algorithms from which it is derived on a representative image analysis task, and show that it is superior to both of them. It brings a slight improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio and a significant improvement in cell detection.
Inhaled Technosphere Insulin Versus Inhaled Technosphere Placebo in Insulin-Naïve Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes Inadequately Controlled on Oral Antidiabetes Agents

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of prandial Technosphere inhaled insulin (TI), an inhaled insulin with a distinct time action profile, in insulin-naïve type 2 diabetes (T2D) inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetes agents (OADs). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Subjects with T2D with HbA1c levels ≥7.5% (58.5 mmol/mol) and ≤10.0% (86.0 mmol/mol) on metformin alone or two or more OADs were randomized to add-on prandial TI (n = 177) or prandial Technosphere inhaled placebo (TP) (n = 176) to their OAD regimen in this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Primary end point was change in HbA1c at 24 weeks. RESULTS TI significantly reduced HbA1c by −0.8% (−9.0 mmol/mol) from a baseline of 8.3% (66.8 mmol/mol) compared with TP −0.4% (−4.6 mmol/mol) (treatment difference −0.4% [95% CI −0.57, −0.23]; P < 0.0001). More TI-treated subjects achieved an HbA1c ≤7.0% (53.0 mmol/mol) (38% vs. 19%; P = 0.0005). Mean fasting plasma glucose was similarly reduced in both groups. Postprandial hyperglycemia, based on 7-point glucose profiles, was effectively controlled by TI. Mean weight change was 0.5 kg for TI and −1.1 kg for the TP group (P < 0.0001). Mild, transient dry cough was the most common adverse event, occurring similarly in both groups (TI, 23.7%; TP, 19.9%) and led to discontinuation in only 1.1% of TI-treated and 3.4% of TP-treated subjects. There was a small decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s in both groups, with a slightly larger decline in the group receiving TI (TI, −0.13 L; TP, −0.04 L). The difference resolved after treatment discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS Prandial TI added to one or more OADs in inadequately controlled T2D is an effective treatment option. Mild, transient dry cough was the most common adverse event.
Ecological context shapes hybridization dynamics

Gene exchange among oak species (Quercus) in Europe is known to be pervasive and to complicate population genetic studies of this species complex. A study in this issue of Molecular Ecology adds geographical and stand‐level resolution to the patterns of genetic variation among four species and documents the relatively high frequency of hybrids (10.7–30.5% of trees in a population, including hybrids between all pairs of species; Lepais et al. 2009 ). In addition, the authors show that the relative abundance of parental species affects the genetic composition of hybrids and shifts the average direction of introgression. Variation in the relative abundance of parental species is one example of how the ecological context of hybridization can influence the dynamics and outcome of contact between species and represents an opportunity to investigate the components of reproductive isolation between species. This research raises several questions about the dynamics of hybridization in this well‐studied species complex, and highlights methodological and conceptual issues associated with contemporary research on hybridization.
Application of Graphitic Bio-Carbon using Two-Level Factorial Design for Microwave-assisted Carbonization

A novel intermittent microwave-assisted carbonization method was developed to prepare bio-char (BWSC) from Durian wood sawdust (BWS). The BWS was further activated using a base-catalytic approach to produce a graphitic form of bio-carbon (BWSAC). A three factor, two-level central composite (CCD) experimental design was used to maximize Pb(II) ion removal from aqueous solution using BWSAC. Three independent variables (initial pH of solution (pH0) ranging from 2 to 8, initial metal ion concentration of Pb(II) cations (C0) ranging from 50 to 100 mg/L, and contact time (Ct) ranging from 10 to 300 min) were consecutively coded as x1, x2, and x3 at three levels (−1, 0 and 1) of the design matrix. The experimental conditions in terms of actual factors were determined to be x1 (pH0) = 5.86, x2 (C0) = 57.77 mg/L, and x3 (temperature) = 53.85 °C, and the resultant Pb(II) ion removal efficiency (y1) obtained was 92.73%, with a model desirability of 0.974. The change in physiochemical properties after carbonization as well as activation was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller surface area analysis (BET), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Ultimate analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
The SeaView Secure Database System: A Progress Report

A cement composition comprising cement, a pozzolan material, fine aggregate, air, water, at least one alkali metal constituent selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, and lithium ions, and at least one anionic constituent which is capable of forming complexes with ferric ions, is soluble in water, and forms a calcium salt which is also water soluble, wherein the alkali metal constituent is present in an amount up to approximately 4.0 percent by weight, in terms of the equivalent weight of sodium ions, of the pozzolan material; the anionic constituent is present in an amount up to approximately 6.0 percent by weight, in terms of the equivalent weight of chloride ions, of the pozzolan material; and the cement composition is further characterized by: (a) having a solid volume ratio of cement to the pozzolan material within the range of approximately 0.05 to 2.0; (b) having a ratio of the volume of paste (fly ash, cement, air, and water) to the solid volume of sand within the range of approximately 0.75 to 2.5; and (c) having a ratio of the solid volume of cement to the volume of mortar less than about 0.19. The cement composition of the present invention is substantially less expensive than cement compositions presently employed in the industry having equivalent compressive strengths.
Multiple Signalling Pathways Lead to the Activation of the Nuclear Factor κB by the Rho Family of GTPases*

Members of the Rho family of small GTPases activate the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) (Perona, R., Montaner, S., Saniger, L., Sánchez-Pérez, I., Bravo, R., and Lacal, J. C. (1997), Genes & Dev. 11, 463–475). We have investigated whether different members of the family of exchange factors specific for Rho proteins (Dbl family) could activate the transcription factor NF-κB and have explored both their specificity under in vivo conditions and the mechanisms involved. Activated forms of Dbl, Ost, and Vav proteins induce NF-κB activation. While the activation induced by the Vav oncogen was efficiently inhibited by a dominant negative mutant of Rac1, the corresponding mutant of Cdc42Hs was able to block selectively NF-κB activation mediated by Dbl. Finally, mutants of RhoA and Cdc42Hs, but not that of Rac1, inhibited the activation of NF-κB by Ost. Thus, under in vivo conditions, different members of the Dbl family are related to specific Rho GTPases for the regulation of NF-κB. Activation of NF-κB by Rho or Ras proteins is mutually independent. However, there is a link between the NF-κB and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK/SAPK) cascades since a dominant negative mutant of MEKK1 is able to inhibit NF-κB activation induced by Rac1 and Cdc42Hs proteins, but not by RhoA. These results indicate that, in mammalian cells, multiple pathways coexist for the activation of NF-κB, some of which are mediated by specific members of the Ras and Rho families of small GTPases.
Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Lokomat in Subacute Stroke

Objective. To compare the efficacy of robotic-assisted gait training with the Lokomat to conventional gait training in individuals with subacute stroke. Methods. A total of 63 participants <6 months poststroke with an initial walking speed between 0.1 to 0.6 m/s completed the multicenter, randomized clinical trial. All participants received twenty-four 1-hour sessions of either Lokomat or conventional gait training. Outcome measures were evaluated prior to training, after 12 and 24 sessions, and at a 3-month follow-up exam. Self-selected overground walking speed and distance walked in 6 minutes were the primary outcome measures, whereas secondary outcome measures included balance, mobility and function, cadence and symmetry, level of disability, and quality of life measures. Results. Participants who received conventional gait training experienced significantly greater gains in walking speed (P = .002) and distance (P = .03) than those trained on the Lokomat. These differences were maintained at the 3-month follow-up evaluation. Secondary measures were not different between the 2 groups, although a 2-fold greater improvement in cadence was observed in the conventional versus Lokomat group. Conclusions. For subacute stroke participants with moderate to severe gait impairments, the diversity of conventional gait training interventions appears to be more effective than robotic-assisted gait training for facilitating returns in walking ability.
Vascular Access Type and Patient and Technique Survival in Home Hemodialysis Patients: The Canadian Organ Replacement Register.

BACKGROUND While central venous catheter (CVC) use has expanded home hemodialysis (HHD) eligibility to many patients who may be unable to self-cannulate an arteriovenous (AV) access, the association between CVC use and mortality has not been directly examined among HHD patients. STUDY DESIGN Registry-based retrospective observational cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Incident HHD patients in The Canadian Organ Replacement Register who had information for vascular access type (CVC vs AV access) within the first year of HHD therapy initiation. PREDICTOR Use of a CVC versus an AV access (AV fistula or graft) within the first year of HHD therapy initiation. OUTCOME The composite of all-cause mortality and technique failure (long-term transfer to an alternate dialysis modality). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the adjusted composite outcome and each outcome separately. RESULTS 1,869 patients initiated HHD therapy in Canada in 1996 to 2012, of whom 1,217 had an access type recorded within the first year of HHD therapy initiation. Compared to CVC use (n=523) and during a median follow-up of 513 and 427 days for AV access and CVC patients, respectively, AV access use (n=694) was associated with lower risk for the composite event of death and technique failure (490 events; adjusted HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64-0.94) and lower adjusted all-cause mortality (129 deaths; adjusted HR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.43-0.91); the risk for technique failure was nominally lower, but this result was not statistically significant (361 events; adjusted HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.67-1.05). Results were robust to sensitivity analyses and after missing data imputation. LIMITATIONS Missing information for vascular access type (n=659[35% of patients]) and lack of information for longitudinal changes in vascular access type. CONCLUSIONS Compared to CVC use, AV access use was associated with superior survival. Minimizing CVC use and maximizing AV access use while addressing barriers to their placement and self-cannulation may improve HHD outcomes.
Nurse staffing and the work environment linked to readmissions among older adults following elective total hip and knee replacement.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of nurse staffing and the work environment on 10- and 30-day unplanned readmissions for US Medicare patients following elective total hip and knee replacement. DESIGN A cross-sectional analysis of secondary data. SETTING Acute care hospitals in California, Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, during 2006. PARTICIPANTS Medicare patients (n = 112 017) admitted to an acute care hospital for an elective total hip or knee replacement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of experiencing an unplanned readmission within 10 and 30 days of discharge following an elective total hip or knee replacement. RESULTS Our sample included 112 017 Medicare patients in 495 hospitals. Nearly 6% of the patients were readmitted within 30 days; more than half of whom were rehospitalized within 10 days. Adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics, patients had 8% higher odds of 30-day readmission and 12% higher odds of 10-day readmission, for each additional patient per nurse. Patients cared for in the best work environments had 12% lower odds of 30-day readmission. CONCLUSIONS Readmission outcomes following major joint replacement are associated with hospital nursing care. Attention to nurse work conditions may be central to improving readmissions in this postoperative Medicare population.
A personalized multimodal tourist tour planner

Tourists become increasingly dependent on mobile city guides to locate tourist services and retrieve information about nearby points of interest (POIs) when visiting unknown destinations. Although several city guides support the provision of personalized tour recommendations to assist tourists visiting the most interesting attractions, existing tour planners only consider walking tours. Herein, we introduce eCOMPASS, a context-aware mobile application which also considers the option of using public transit for moving around. Far beyond than just providing navigational aid, eCOMPASS incorporates multimodality (i.e. time dependency) within its routing logic aiming at deriving near-optimal sequencing of POIs along recommended tours so as to best utilize time available for sightseeing and minimize waiting time at transit stops. Further advancing the state of the art, eCOMPASS allows users to define arbitrary start/end locations (e.g. the current location of a mobile user) rather than choosing among a fixed set of locations. This paper describes the routing algorithm which comprises the core functionality of eCOMPASS and discusses the implementation details of the mobile application using the metropolitan area of Berlin (Germany) as case study.
DNA assembly with de bruijn graphs on FPGA

This project aims to see if accelerators based on FPGAs are worthwhile for DNA assembly. It involves reprogramming an already existing algorithm - called Ray - to be run either on such an accelerator or on a CPU to be able to compare both. It has been achieved using the OpenCL language. The focus is put on modifying and optimizing the original algorithm to better suit the new parallelization tool. Upon running the new program on some datasets, it becomes clear that FPGAs are a very capable platform that can fare better than the traditional approach, both on raw performance and energy consumption.
A Review of the Impact of Dietary Intakes in Human Pregnancy on Infant Birthweight

Studies assessing maternal dietary intakes and the relationship with birthweight are inconsistent, thus attempting to draw inferences on the role of maternal nutrition in determining the fetal growth trajectory is difficult. The aim of this review is to provide updated evidence from epidemiological and randomized controlled trials on the impact of dietary and supplemental intakes of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, zinc, folate, iron, calcium, and vitamin D, as well as dietary patterns, on infant birthweight. A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken via the electronic databases Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Medline. Included articles were those published in English, in scholarly journals, and which provided information about diet and nutrition during pregnancy and infant birthweight. There is insufficient evidence for omega-3 fatty acid supplements’ ability to reduce risk of low birthweight (LBW), and more robust evidence from studies supplementing with zinc, calcium, and/or vitamin D needs to be established. Iron supplementation appears to increase birthweight, particularly when there are increases in maternal hemoglobin concentrations in the third trimester. There is limited evidence supporting the use of folic acid supplements to reduce the risk for LBW; however, supplementation may increase birthweight by ~130 g. Consumption of whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean meats throughout pregnancy appears beneficial for appropriate birthweight. Intervention studies with an understanding of optimal dietary patterns may provide promising results for both maternal and perinatal health. Outcomes from these studies will help determine what sort of dietary advice could be promoted to women during pregnancy in order to promote the best health for themselves and their baby.
Indigènes et politique en Bolivie : les stratégies chiquitanas dans le nouveau contexte de décentralisation participative

La modernisation de l'Etat et l'emergence de nouveaux acteurs socioculturels a partir des annees 1980 sont a l'origine du processus actuel de decentralisation participative en Bolivie. La Constitution reformee (1994) attribue un caractere pluriethnique et multiculturel a la nation bolivienne. Pres de deux cents lois sont promulguees pour reorganiser le pays en profondeur. Deux d'entre elles vont particulierement favoriser l'elaboration de nouvelles strategies de la part des groupes indigenes ou en voie d'indigenisation. La loi de Participation Populaire (1994) engendre un vaste mouvement de municipalisation basee sur des principes de planification participative et ouvre par la meme occasion des espaces politiques et citoyens a tous les acteurs locaux. La Loi de l'Institut de Reforme Agraire (1996) reconnait explicitement la diversite culturelle en autorisant la dotation de terres collectives aux populations indigenes. A partir de trois etudes de cas realisees en Chiquitanie, une region situee dans les Basses Terres de Bolivie, cette recherche evalue la capacite strategique des organisations indigenes locales dans le cadre de la decentralisation participative, et tente de mesurer l'amplitude des reformes politiques de type neo-indigeniste. Elle met en evidence la democratisation progressive des societes locales, la territorialisation indigene ainsi que l'ethnicisation des acteurs et des rapports sociaux.
Subject-specific biomechanical modelling of the oropharynx with application to speech production

In this work, we develop a 3D subject-specific biomechanical model of the oropharynx in order to investigate and simulate speech production. Our muscle-activated model is generated based on the subject-specific anatomy captured from dynamic volumetric cine-MRI data. Our model includes an air-tight deformable airway that enables speech synthesis. We simulate our model based on actual tissue motion tracked from the tongue during speech production, which we extract from the tagged-MRI data. We quantitatively validate our model on MRI data achieving an average target point tracking error of 1.15mm ± 0.632, and an acoustic formant frequency estimation error of 6.01% ± 4.92%.