Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Multi-layer Films Containing Natural Antimicrobial Agents

In this research, multi-layer packaging films comprising an inner coating layer containing natural antimicrobial (AM) agents were developed. Volatile essential oils obtained from plant extracts including carvacrol, linalool and methylchavicol were used as the active AM agents in the coating layer. The amount of natural AM agents and the composition of the coating system required to provide the optimum AM effect in food media and on Cheddar cheese was explored. The stability of the AM coatings in various food simulants was also explored. In the film preparation, the AM coatings were embedded between low-density polyethylene (LDPE) layers to construct multilayer AM films. Investigation of the retention and subsequent release of the AM agent from multi-layer films suggested that a coating layer consisting of ethylacrylatemethylmethacrylate performs satisfactorily as the carrier for the AM agent. Furthermore, LDPE is able to successfully control the release of the AM agent into food simulants. The controlling layer thickness, AM layer thickness and the solubility of AM agent are critical factors affecting the overall effectiveness of the multi-layer AM film. At subambient temperatures, the multi-layer AM films successfully inhibited the growth of E. coli in liquid food media and on Cheddar cheese.
Is DDD Superior to VVI Pacing in Mixed Carotid Sinus Syndrome? An Acute and Medium‐Term Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate fhe importance of atrial synchronism for pacing therapy of patients with mixed carotid sinus syndrome. In 23 patients (21 m, two f: mean age 69 ± 8 years) affected by symptomatic mixed carotid sinus syndrome we performed: (1) Research of ventriculo‐atrial conduction, orthostatic hypotension and pacemaker effect; and [2] Carotid sinus massage in the standing position during VVI and DVI temporary pacing.
Energy Aware Campus Dwelling : Eco-Visualization and the IU Energy Challenge

1. ABSTRACT This report is focused on new design directions for the Energy Challenge 09, a student competition to conserve water and electricity in dormitories at the Indiana University Bloomington campus. These new design directions emphasize the use of eco-visualizations (EVs). EVs are "any kind of interactive device targeted at revealing energy use in order to promote more sustainable behaviors or foster positive attitudes towards sustainable practices" [Pierce et. al, (2008, forthcoming)].
Neuroanatomy Predicts Individual Risk Attitudes

Over the course of the last decade a multitude of studies have investigated the relationship between neural activations and individual human decision-making. Here we asked whether the anatomical features of individual human brains could be used to predict the fundamental preferences of human choosers. To that end, we quantified the risk attitudes of human decision-makers using standard economic tools and quantified the gray matter cortical volume in all brain areas using standard neurobiological tools. Our whole-brain analysis revealed that the gray matter volume of a region in the right posterior parietal cortex was significantly predictive of individual risk attitudes. Participants with higher gray matter volume in this region exhibited less risk aversion. To test the robustness of this finding we examined a second group of participants and used econometric tools to test the ex ante hypothesis that gray matter volume in this area predicts individual risk attitudes. Our finding was confirmed in this second group. Our results, while being silent about causal relationships, identify what might be considered the first stable biomarker for financial risk-attitude. If these results, gathered in a population of midlife northeast American adults, hold in the general population, they will provide constraints on the possible neural mechanisms underlying risk attitudes. The results will also provide a simple measurement of risk attitudes that could be easily extracted from abundance of existing medical brain scans, and could potentially provide a characteristic distribution of these attitudes for policy makers.
Web Traffic Acceleration over Cellular Networks by Using a Compressing Proxy Server

Many Web clients today are connected to the Internet via low speed computer links such as cellular connections. In order to efficiently use the cellular connection for Web access, the connection must be accelerated using a Performance Enhancing Proxy (PEP) as a gateway to the Web. In this paper we investigate the challenges created by the use of PEP. In order to mitigate the performance bottlenecks, we enhanced the PEP by adding to it a “pre-getting” ability. We tested the enhanced PEP over GSM and HSCSD cellular networks, as well as using a cellular network software simulator. Our experiments with enhanced PEP achieved the following results: 1) Average improvement of about 60% over the HSCSD network throughput can be achieved, 2) The Web page structure has a significant impact on the resulting performance. In conclusion, using an enhanced PEP can make the experience of browsing the Web over cellular networks much faster and less frustrating.
Orexinergic projections to the cat midbrain mediate alternation of emotional behavioural states from locomotion to cataplexy

Orexinergic neurones in the perifornical lateral hypothalamus project to structures of the midbrain, including the substantia nigra and the mesopontine tegmentum. These areas contain the mesencephalic locomotor region (MLR), and the pedunculopontine and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei (PPN/LDT), which regulate atonia during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Deficiencies of the orexinergic system result in narcolepsy, suggesting that these projections are concerned with switching between locomotor movements and muscular atonia. The present study characterizes the role of these orexinergic projections to the midbrain. In decerebrate cats, injecting orexin‐A (60 μm to 1.0 mm, 0.20–0.25 μl) into the MLR reduced the intensity of the electrical stimulation required to induce locomotion on a treadmill (4 cats) or even elicit locomotor movements without electrical stimulation (2 cats). On the other hand, when orexin was injected into either the PPN (8 cats) or the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr, 4 cats), an increased stimulus intensity at the PPN was required to induce muscle atonia. The effects of orexin on the PPN and the SNr were reversed by subsequently injecting bicuculline (5 mm, 0.20–0.25 μl), a GABAA receptor antagonist, into the PPN. These findings indicate that excitatory orexinergic drive could maintain a higher level of locomotor activity by increasing the excitability of neurones in the MLR, while enhancing GABAergic effects on presumably cholinergic PPN neurones, to suppress muscle atonia. We conclude that orexinergic projections from the hypothalamus to the midbrain play an important role in regulating motor behaviour and controlling postural muscle tone and locomotor movements when awake and during sleep. Furthermore, as the excitability is attenuated in the absence of orexin, signals to the midbrain may induce locomotor behaviour when the orexinergic system functions normally but elicit atonia or narcolepsy when the orexinergic function is disturbed.
Positive Psychological Well-Being and Mortality: A Quantitative Review of Prospective Observational Studies

Objective: To review systematically prospective, observational, cohort studies of the association between positive well-being and mortality using meta-analytic methods. Recent years have witnessed increased interest in the relationship between positive psychological well-being and physical health. Methods: We searched general bibliographic databases: Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and PubMed up to January 2008. Two reviewers independently extracted data on study characteristics, quality, and estimates of associations. Results: There were 35 studies (26 articles) investigating mortality in initially healthy populations and 35 studies (28 articles) of disease populations. The meta-analyses showed that positive psychological well-being was associated with reduced mortality in both the healthy population (combined hazard ratio (HR) = 0.82; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.76–0.89; p < . 001) and the disease population (combined HR = 0.98; CI = 0.95–1.00; p = .030) studies. There were indications of publication bias in this literature, although the fail-safe numbers were 2444 and 1397 for healthy and disease population studies, respectively. Intriguingly, meta-analysis of studies that controlled for negative affect showed that the protective effects of positive psychological well-being were independent of negative affect. Both positive affect (e.g., emotional well-being, positive mood, joy, happiness, vigor, energy) and positive trait-like dispositions (e.g., life satisfaction, hopefulness, optimism, sense of humor) were associated with reduced mortality in healthy population studies. Positive psychological well-being was significantly associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality in healthy population studies, and with reduced death rates in patients with renal failure and with human immunodeficiency virus-infection. Conclusions: The current review suggests that positive psychological well-being has a favorable effect on survival in both healthy and diseased populations. CHD = coronary heart disease; CI = Confidence Interval; HIV = human immunodeficiency virus-infection; HR = hazard ratio; ln = natural logarithm; RR = relative risk.
Numerical simulation of squeeze cast magnesium alloy AZ91D

A two-dimensional model has been developed to simulate heat transfer and solidification phenomena of squeeze cast magnesium alloy (AZ91D). The model was based on the control-volume finite-difference approach and on the enthalpy method. The computation was carried out to understand the effect of varying processing parameters, such as applied pressure and die temperatures, on the solidification and cooling behaviours of AZ91D. The model computed the temperature distributions, the cooling curves, the shape and position of the phase front and total solidification time of a cylindrical squeeze casting. The predicted results show that high applied pressures and low die temperatures result in a high heat transfer across the casting? die interface, and consequently solidification and cooling rates increase. The comparison indicates that the predicted results are in close agreement with the existing experimental data.
Effect of calcium supplements on risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular events: meta-analysis

Objective To investigate whether calcium supplements increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Design Patient level and trial level meta-analyses. Data sources Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1966-March 2010), reference lists of meta-analyses of calcium supplements, and two clinical trial registries. Initial searches were carried out in November 2007, with electronic database searches repeated in March 2010. Study selection Eligible studies were randomised, placebo controlled trials of calcium supplements (≥500 mg/day), with 100 or more participants of mean age more than 40 years and study duration more than one year. The lead authors of eligible trials supplied data. Cardiovascular outcomes were obtained from self reports, hospital admissions, and death certificates. Results 15 trials were eligible for inclusion, five with patient level data (8151 participants, median follow-up 3.6 years, interquartile range 2.7-4.3 years) and 11 with trial level data (11 921 participants, mean duration 4.0 years). In the five studies contributing patient level data, 143 people allocated to calcium had a myocardial infarction compared with 111 allocated to placebo (hazard ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.67, P=0.035). Non-significant increases occurred in the incidence of stroke (1.20, 0.96 to 1.50, P=0.11), the composite end point of myocardial infarction, stroke, or sudden death (1.18, 1.00 to 1.39, P=0.057), and death (1.09, 0.96 to 1.23, P=0.18). The meta-analysis of trial level data showed similar results: 296 people had a myocardial infarction (166 allocated to calcium, 130 to placebo), with an increased incidence of myocardial infarction in those allocated to calcium (pooled relative risk 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.59, P=0.038). Conclusions Calcium supplements (without coadministered vitamin D) are associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction. As calcium supplements are widely used these modest increases in risk of cardiovascular disease might translate into a large burden of disease in the population. A reassessment of the role of calcium supplements in the management of osteoporosis is warranted.
ZnO Nanorod Logic Circuits

Logic devices, including OR, AND, NOT, and NOR gates, based on single-crystalline ZnO nanorods are demonstrated. In these devices, ZnO nanorods are employed as semiconducting channels. They control metal/oxide semiconductor junction characteristics, to yield either good ohmic or Schottky contacts, ensuring fabrication of high-performance Schottky diodes and metal-semiconductor field-effect transistors.
The Dynamics of Lateral Gene Transfer in Genus Leishmania - A Route for Adaptation and Species Diversification

Background The genome of Leishmania major harbours a comparably high proportion of genes of prokaryote origin, acquired by lateral gene transfer (LGT). Some of these are present in closely related trypanosomatids, while some are detected in Leishmania only. We have evaluated the impact and destiny of LGT in genus Leishmania. Methodology/Principal Findings To study the dynamics and fate of LGTs we have performed phylogenetic, as well as nucleotide and amino acid composition analyses within orthologous groups of LGTs detected in Leishmania. A set of universal trypanosomatid LGTs was added as a reference group. Both groups of LGTs have, to some extent, ameliorated to resemble the recipient genomes. However, while virtually all of the universal trypanosomatid LGTs are distributed and conserved in the entire genus Leishmania, the LGTs uniquely present in genus Leishmania are more prone to gene loss and display faster rates of evolution. Furthermore, a PCR based approach has been employed to ascertain the presence of a set of twenty LGTs uniquely present in genus Leishmania, and three universal trypanosomatid LGTs, in ten additional strains of Leishmania. Evolutionary rates and predicted expression levels of these LGTs have also been estimated. Ten of the twenty LGTs are distributed and conserved in all species investigated, while the remainder have been subjected to modifications, or undergone pseudogenization, degradation or loss in one or more species. Conclusions/Significance LGTs unique to the genus Leishmania have been acquired after the divergence of Leishmania from the other trypanosomatids, and are evolving faster than their recipient genomes. This implies that LGT in genus Leishmania is a continuous and dynamic process contributing to species differentiation and speciation. This study also highlights the importance of carefully evaluating these dynamic genes, e.g. as LGTs have been suggested as potential drug targets.
Wide-band low-profile circular array of H-plane horn antennas

This paper presents a novel design of low-profile circular array of H-plane horn antenna whose radiating aperture is on the side surface of a short solenoid. The designed antenna operates from 835MHz to 2436MHz and exhibits good radiation patterns and gain over the entire operating frequency band. Simulated results are provided to verify the design concept. This proposed antenna is potentially very useful for spectrum monitoring systems mounted a moving platform.
Security and Privacy Issues with Health Care Information Technology

The face of health care is changing as new technologies are being incorporated into the existing infrastructure. Electronic patient records and sensor networks for in-home patient monitoring are at the current forefront of new technologies. Paper-based patient records are being put in electronic format enabling patients to access their records via the Internet. Remote patient monitoring is becoming more feasible as specialized sensors can be placed inside homes. The combination of these technologies will improve the quality of health care by making it more personalized and reducing costs and medical errors. While there are benefits to technologies, associated privacy and security issues need to be analyzed to make these systems socially acceptable. In this paper we explore the privacy and security implications of these next-generation health care technologies. We describe existing methods for handling issues as well as discussing which issues need further consideration
An Evaluation of Two Candidate Functional Biomarkers for AMD

Purpose To evaluate the intersession repeatability of the Colour Assessment and Diagnosis (CAD) test and a novel 14-Hz flicker test in a population of healthy participants to provide benchmark data for their use as functional biomarkers for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Visual function was assessed using both techniques in 30 healthy adults (mean [standard deviation] age 36.3 [14.1] years) on two separate days. Intersession repeatability of RG and YB CAD thresholds and 14-Hz flicker thresholds was assessed by determining their coefficient of repeatability (CoR). Results The CoR was calculated to be 0.39 CAD units (17.0%) for RG thresholds, 0.43 CAD units (31.1%) for YB thresholds, and 0.015 (53.4%) for 14-Hz flicker contrast thresholds. On average, thresholds improved by 4.72% (RG), 6.33% (YB), and 13.3% (14-Hz flicker) between visits 1 and 2, suggesting a small but consistent learning effect. The CoR for all parameters was relatively small compared to the mean thresholds obtained (RG: mean 2.27 [4.58], CoR 0.39; YB: mean 1.37 [0.55], CoR 0.43; 14-Hz flicker: mean 0.028 [0.01], CoR 0.015). Conclusions This study has described the repeatability of the CAD and 14-Hz flicker tests. These data can help clinicians decide if the results from repeated measures are of clinical significance. Despite pretest training, there was some evidence of a learning effect. Therefore, clinical trials using these techniques should ensure training is sufficient to minimize these effects.
Harmony: static noise analysis of deep submicron digital integrated circuits

As technology scales into the deep submicron regime, noise immunity is becoming a metric of comparable importance to area, timing, and power for the analysis and design of very large scale integrated (VLSI) systems. A metric for noise immunity is defined, and a static noise analysis methodology based on this noise-stability metric is introduced to demonstrate how noise can be analyzed systematically on a full-chip basis using simulation-based transistor-level analysis. We then describe Harmony, a two-level (macro and global) hierarchical implementation of static noise analysis. At the macro level, simplified interconnect models and timing assumptions guide efficient analysis. The global level involves a careful combination of static noise analysis, static timing analysis, and detailed interconnect macromodels based on reduced-order modeling techniques. We describe how the interconnect macromodels are practically employed to perform coupling analysis and how timing constraints can be used to limit pessimism in the analysis.
Pricing kth-to-Default Swaps Under Default Contagion: The Matrix-Analytic Approach

We study a model for default contagion in intensity-based credit risk and its consequences for pricing portfolio credit derivatives. The model is specified through default intensities which are assumed to be constant between defaults, but which can jump at the times of defaults. The model is translated into a Markov jump process which represents the default status in the credit portfolio. This makes it possible to use matrix-analytic methods to derive computationally tractable closed-form expressions for single-name credit default swap spreads and kth-to-default swap spreads. We ”semicalibrate” the model for portfolios (of up to 15 obligors) against market CDS spreads and compute the corresponding kth-to-default spreads. In a numerical study based on a synthetic portfolio of 15 telecom bonds we study a number of questions: how spreads depend on the amount of default interaction; how the values of the underlying market CDS-prices used for calibration influence kth-th-to default spreads; how a portfolio with inhomogeneous recovery rates compares with a portfolio which satisfies the standard assumption of identical recovery rates; and, finally, how well kth-th-to default spreads in a nonsymmetric portfolio can be approximated by spreads in a symmetric portfolio.
MEDITO: A Logic-Based Meta-diagnosis Tool

In every Model-Based Diagnosis (MBD) approach, a model of a real-world system and some observations of such a system are used by a diagnostic algorithm to compute diagnoses. Contrary to MBD classical hypotheses, real-world applications provide us with empirical data suggesting that diagnostic systems, i.e. a model, observations and a diagnostic algorithm, are sometimes abnormal with respect to some required properties. This is where Meta-Diagnosis comes into play with a theory to determine abnormalities in diagnostic systems. Unfortunately, Artificial Intelligence lacks of a tool putting meta-diagnosis theory to practice. Our first contribution in this paper is such a tool, called MEDITO. Moreover, we provide a real-world example of MEDITO's application at meta-diagnosing an Airbus landing gear extraction and retraction system with successful results.
SEQUEL: A structured English query language

In this paper we present the data manipulation facility for a structured English query language (SEQUEL) which can be used for accessing data in an integrated relational data base. Without resorting to the concepts of bound variables and quantifiers SEQUEL identifies a set of simple operations on tabular structures, which can be shown to be of equivalent power to the first order predicate calculus. A SEQUEL user is presented with a consistent set of keyword English templates which reflect how people use tables to obtain information. Moreover, the SEQUEL user is able to compose these basic templates in a structured manner in order to form more complex queries. SEQUEL is intended as a data base sublanguage for both the professional programmer and the more infrequent data base user.