Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Virtual R&D teams and SMEs growth: A comparative study between Iranian and Malaysian SMEs

This paper explores potential advantages of using virtual teams for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a comprehensive review on various aspects of virtual teams. Based on the standing of the pertinent literatures, attempt has been made to study the aspects by online survey method in Iran and Malaysia. In both countries, SMEs play an important role in their economies, employments, and capacity building. Virtual R&D team can be one of the means to increase SMEs efficiency and competitiveness in their local as well as global markets. In this context, surveys have been conducted to evaluate the effects of virtuality to the growth of SMEs. The study addresses some differences between two countries in engaging virtual research and development (R&D) teams in their SMEs. It is observed that there is a significant difference between the SMEs turnover that employed virtual team and that did not employ the virtual team. The way for further studies and recommend improvements are proposed.
Exploring surround haptics displays

In this paper we present the design and evaluation of a two dimensional haptics display intended to be used for enhancing experience for movies and rides. The display, haptics surface, utilizes an array of vibrators contacting the skin at discrete locations and creates static and dynamic haptic sensations derived from scenes and situations. For this regard, a set of haptic morphs are introduced that can be used as building blocks to create new sensations on the skin. A novel haptic sensation, haptic blur, is also introduced that gives an illusion of continuous motion across the skin using discrete vibrating points. A pilot study investigating the reliability of haptic blur along a two dimensional skin surface is presented along with conceptual discussion on future haptic feelings rendered through the haptics surface.
Full-Wave Modal Dispersion Analysis and Broadside Optimization for a Class of Microstrip CRLH Leaky-Wave Antennas

In this paper, a planar microstrip composite right/left-handed leaky-wave antenna is analyzed and designed as an infinite 1-D periodic microstrip leaky-wave antenna. A parametric study, based on a full-wave numerical modal approach that analyzes a unit cell using a periodic layered-medium Green's function, is shown to be an efficient approach to accurately design the structure, completely eliminating open-stopband effects and achieving an almost constant radiation efficiency when the beam is scanned through broadside. Results obtained by the proposed approach are compared with those obtained by means of both an artificial transmission-line analysis and a Bloch-wave analysis, which use the full-wave simulation of a finite-length structure. The balanced condition is interpreted in terms of the behavior of the phase and attenuation constants relevant to the radiating harmonic. Furthermore, it is shown how radiation at broadside is guaranteed by the presence of two radiating elements (one series and one shunt) within the equivalent circuit of the unit cell. The effectiveness of the analysis is demonstrated through the design of a finite-length antenna excited by a source at one end.
Resurrecting Bomba Kryptologiczna: Archaeology of Algorithmic Artefacts, I

Abstract The procedure executed on the Polish Bomba Kryptologiczna is reconstructed on the basis of Marian Rejewski's accounts and simulative experiment. An original Wehrmacht message from the period in question is broken to illustrate the effectiveness of the hardware and the routines employed. The authenticity of the indicators given in Rejewski's first and later reports is investigated and the circuitry of a simplified version of the bomba presented.
Three-dimensional Green's functions for two-dimensional quasi-crystal bimaterials

Owing to their specific structure, which can neither be classified as crystalline nor amorphous, quasi-crystals (QCs) exhibit properties that are interesting to both material science and mathematical physics or continuum mechanics. Within the framework of a mathematical theory of elasticity, one major focus is on features evolving from the coupling of phonon and phason fields, which is not observed in classical crystalline or amorphous materials. This paper deals with the problems of combinations of point phonon forces and point phason forces, which are applied to the interior of infinite solids and bimaterial solids of two-dimensional hexagonal QCs. By using the general solution of QCs, a series of displacement functions is adopted to obtain the analytical results when the two half-spaces are supposed to be ideally bonded or to be in smooth contact. In the final expressions, we provide three-dimensional Green’s functions for infinite bimaterial QC solids in the closed form, which are very convenient to be used in the study of dislocations, cracks and inhomogeneities of the new solid phase. Furthermore, the paper is concluded by a discussion of some special cases, in which Green’s functions for infinite transversely isotropic solids and Green’s functions for a half-space with free or fixed boundary are given.
Tissue hardness measurement using the radiation force of focused ultrasound

A technique for measuring hardness in which the impulsive radiation force is focused ultrasound is used to generate localized deformation of the tissue and the applied force and/or the deformation are measured as a function of time by a conventional pulse-echo technique is proposed. An attempt is made to derive some characteristic values from the curve as figures of tissue hardness. The decay of applied force measured while keeping the deformation constant proved to give a good figure. This preliminary experiment indicates that the proposed technique is feasible. <<ETX>>
Effect of Simultaneous Use of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Survival of HIV Patients With Tuberculosis

Introduction:The optimal timing for initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in patients with AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) is an unresolved question. To assess the effect of HAART on the survival of patients with TB, we designed this study. Methods:We selected all HIV patients included in the COMESEM cohort with TB diagnosis after 1996. Clinical and epidemiological data were registered. We compared patients who started HAART at the diagnosis of TB [simultaneous therapy (ST)] or not. Survival was assessed by Cox analysis. Results:Among the 6934 HIV patients included in the cohort, 1217 patients had TB, 322 of them (26.5%) after 1996. At the time of TB diagnosis, 45% of them started HAART (ST). There were no differences between groups regarding basal characteristics, except for a lower viral load in ST patients. ST therapy was associated with improved survival (hazard ratio 0.38; 95% confidence interval 0.20 to 0.72, P = 0.003). By univariate analysis, survival was also associated with no endovenous drug use and a later year of TB diagnosis. After adjusting for other prognostic variables, by Cox multivariate analysis, ST remained robustly associated with improved survival (hazard ratio 0.37; 95% confidence interval 0.17 to 0.66, P = 0.001). Conclusions:Simultaneous HAART and TB treatment in HIV patients with TB is associated with improved survival.
Quantification of type I error probabilities for heterogeneity LOD scores

Locus heterogeneity is a major confounding factor in linkage analysis. When no prior knowledge of linkage exists, and one aims to detect linkage and heterogeneity simultaneously, classical distribution theory of log‐likelihood ratios does not hold. Despite some theoretical work on this problem, no generally accepted practical guidelines exist. Nor has anyone rigorously examined the combined effect of testing for linkage and heterogeneity and simultaneously maximizing over two genetic models (dominant, recessive). The effect of linkage phase represents another uninvestigated issue. Using computer simulation, we investigated type I error (P value) of the “admixture” heterogeneity LOD (HLOD) score, i.e., the LOD score maximized over both recombination fraction θ and admixture parameter α and we compared this with the P values when one maximizes only with respect to θ (i.e., the standard LOD score). We generated datasets of phase‐known and ‐unknown nuclear families, sizes k = 2, 4, and 6 children, under fully penetrant autosomal dominant inheritance. We analyzed these datasets (1) assuming a single genetic model, and maximizing the HLOD over θ and α; and (2) maximizing the HLOD additionally over two dominance models (dominant vs. recessive), then subtracting a 0.3 correction. For both (1) and (2), P values increased with family size k; rose less for phase‐unknown families than for phase‐known ones, with the former approaching the latter as k increased; and did not exceed the one‐sided mixture distribution ξ = (½) χ 12 + (½) χ 22 . Thus, maximizing the HLOD over θ and α appears to add considerably less than an additional degree of freedom to the associated χ 12 distribution. We conclude with practical guidelines for linkage investigators. Genet. Epidemiol. 22:156–169, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adult human mesenchymal stromal cells and the treatment of graft versus host disease

Graft versus host disease is a difficult and potentially lethal complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. It occurs with minor human leucocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch and is normally treated with corticosteroid and other immunosuppressive therapy. When it is refractory to steroid therapy, mortality approaches 80%. Mesenchymal stromal cells are rare cells found in bone marrow and other tissues. They can be expanded in culture and possess complex and diverse immunomodulatory activity. Moreover, human mesenchymal stromal cells carry low levels of class 1 and no class 2 HLA antigens, making them immunoprivileged and able to be used without HLA matching. Their use in steroid-refractory graft versus host disease was first described in 2004. Subsequently, they have been used in a number of Phase I and II trials in acute and chronic graft versus host disease trials with success. We discuss their mode of action, the results, their production, and potential dangers with a view to future application.
The effect of recovery duration on running speed and stroke quality during intermittent training drills in elite tennis players

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the recovery duration in intermittent training drills on metabolism and coordination in sport games. Ten nationally ranked male tennis players (age 25.3±3.7 years, height 1.83±0.8 m, body mass 77.8±7.7 kg; mean ±s x ) participated in a passing-shot drill (baseline sprint with subsequent passing shot) that aimed to improve both starting speed and stroke quality (speed and precision). Time pressure for stroke preparation was individually adjusted by a ball-machine and corresponded to 80% of maximum running speed. In two trials (T10, T15) separated by 2 weeks, the players completed 30 strokes and sprints subdivided into 6 2 5 repetitions with a 1 min rest between series. The rest between each stroke-and-sprint lasted either 10 s (T10) or 15 s (T15). The sequence of both conditions was randomized between participants. Post-exercise blood lactate concentration was significantly elevated in T10 (9.04±3.06 vs 5.01±1.35 mmol·l-1, P ≪ 0.01). Running time for stroke preparation (1.405±0.044 vs 1.376±0.045 s, P ≪ 0.05) and stroke speed (106±12 vs 114±8 km·h-1, P ≪ 0.05) were significantly decreased in T10, while stroke precision - that is, more target hits ( P ≪ 0.1) and fewer errors (P ≪ 0.05) - tended to be higher. We conclude that running speed and stroke quality during intermittent tennis drills are highly dependent on the duration of recovery time. Optimization of training efficacy in sport games (e.g. combined improvement of conditional and technical skills) requires skilful fine-tuning of monitoring guidelines.
Ehd 1 , a B-type response regulator in rice , confers short-day promotion of flowering and controls FT-like gene expression independently of Hd 1

Plant Breeding Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan; National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan; Bio-oriented Technology Research Advancement Institution, Toranomon 3-18-19-10F, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan; Institute of Society for Techno-innovation of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0854, Japan
Statistical Point Geometry

We propose a scheme for modeling point sample geometry with statistical analysis. In our scheme we depart from the current schemes that deterministically represent the attributes of each point sample. We show how the statistical analysis of a densely sampled point model can be used to improve the geometry bandwidth bottleneck and to do randomized rendering without sacrificing visual realism. We first carry out a hierarchical principal component analysis (PCA) of the model. This stage partitions the model into compact local geometries by exploiting local coherence. Our scheme handles vertex coordinates, normals, and color. The input model is reconstructed and rendered using a probability distribution derived from the PCA analysis. We demonstrate the benefits of this approach in all stages of the graphics pipeline: (1) orders of magnitude improvement in the storage and transmission complexity of point geometry, (2) direct rendering from compressed data, and (3) view-dependent randomized rendering.
The effects of outdoor air pollution on the respiratory health of Canadian children: A systematic review of epidemiological studies.

BACKGROUND Outdoor air pollution is a global problem with serious effects on human health, and children are considered to be highly susceptible to the effects of air pollution. OBJECTIVE To conduct a comprehensive and updated systematic review of the literature reporting the effects of outdoor air pollution on the respiratory health of children in Canada. METHODS Searches of four electronic databases between January 2004 and November 2014 were conducted to identify epidemiological studies evaluating the effect of exposure to outdoor air pollutants on respiratory symptoms, lung function measurements and the use of health services due to respiratory conditions in Canadian children. The selection process and quality assessment, using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, were conducted independently by two reviewers. RESULTS Twenty-seven studies that were heterogeneous with regard to study design, population, respiratory outcome and air pollution exposure were identified. Overall, the included studies reported adverse effects of outdoor air pollution at concentrations that were below Canadian and United States standards. Heterogeneous effects of air pollutants were reported according to city, sex, socioeconomic status and seasonality. The present review also describes trends in research related to the effect of air pollution on Canadian children over the past 25 years. CONCLUSION The present study reconfirms the adverse effects of outdoor air pollution on the respiratory health of children in Canada. It will help researchers, clinicians and environmental health authorities identify the available evidence of the adverse effect of outdoor air pollution, research gaps and the limitations for further research.
Properties of horizontal axo‐axonic cells in stratum oriens of the hippocampal CA1 area of rats in vitro

Local‐circuit γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons constitute a diverse population of cells, which remain poorly defined into functionally distinct subclasses. Traditionally, dendritic and axonal arbors have been used to describe cell classes. In the present report, we characterize a set of hippocampal interneurons, horizontal axo‐axonic cells, located in stratum oriens. They displayed the pattern of axonal arborization characteristic of axo‐axonic cells with radially aligned rows of boutons making synapses exclusively on axon initial segments of pyramidal cells, as shown by electron microscopy. However, in contrast to previously described axo‐axonic cells, which have radial dendrites spanning all layers, the dendrites of the horizontal axo‐axonic cells were restricted to stratum oriens and ran parallel with the layers for several hundred micrometers. Single action potentials elicited by depolarizing current steps in these cells were often followed by a fast‐ and medium‐duration afterhyperpolarization, distinguishing them from fast‐spiking interneurons. In two out of four cells, trains of action potentials showed prominent early spike frequency adaptation and a characteristic “accommodative hump. ” Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) could be evoked by stimuli delivered to stratum oriens. Paired recordings unequivocally confirmed direct synaptic inputs from CA1 pyramidal cells. The kinetics of the EPSPs were fast (rise time 1.7 ± 0.6 ms, mean ±SD, n = 3; decay time constant 19.3 ± 2.4 ms). They showed paired‐pulse depression with inter‐stimulus intervals of 10–50 ms. One pair showed a reciprocal connection establishing a direct feedback loop. The axo‐axonic cell‐evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) were reliable (failure rate ∼10%). Our data show that the laminar distribution of the dendrites of axo‐axonic cells can vary, suggesting distinct synaptic inputs. However, this remains to be shown directly, and we cannot exclude the possibility that all axo‐axonic cells may gather similar synaptic input, leaving them as one distinct class of interneuron. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuronal Calcium Sensor-1 Promotes Immature Heart Function and Hypertrophy by Enhancing Ca2+ Signals

Rationale: Neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) regulates various neuronal functions. Although it is expressed in the heart, very little is known about its cardiac functions. Objective: This study aimed to identify the physiological and pathological roles of NCS-1 in the heart. Methods and Results: We characterized the cardiac functions of knockout mice (Ncs1−/−) and identified NCS-1 as a novel regulator of cardiac Ca2+ signaling, specifically in immature and hypertrophic hearts. NCS-1 was highly expressed in young hearts, and its deletion decreased survival and contractile function in young mice. Intracellular Ca2+ levels and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content were significantly lower in Ncs1−/− myocytes than in wild-type cells. This was due to reduced Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activity in Ncs1−/− myocytes, which led to reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake and release. NCS-1 physically and functionally interacted with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) in the heart. In addition, IP3R stimulation resulted in phosphorylation of CaMKII-&dgr;, which was enhanced by NCS-1 overexpression. These results suggest that a functional link exists between NCS-1, IP3R function, and CaMKII activation that may affect global Ca2+ signals in the immature heart. Furthermore, NCS-1 was upregulated in hypertrophic hearts, and hormone-induced hypertrophy was largely prevented in Ncs1−/− hearts. Inhibitors of IP3Rs, CaMKII, and calcineurin all prevented NCS-1–induced hypertrophy, which suggests the involvement of these pathways. Conclusions: NCS-1 is an important regulator of immature heart function and hypertrophy, and it functions in part by promoting IP3R function, followed by CaMKII-dependent signal activation.
OpenDesign Flow Database: The infrastructure for VLSI design and design automation research

Recently, there have been a slew of design automation contests and released benchmarks. ISPD place & route contests, DAC placement contests, timing analysis contests at TAU and CAD contests at ICCAD are good examples in the past and more of new contests are planned in the upcoming conferences. These are interesting and important events that stimulate the research of the target problems and advance the cutting edge technologies. Nevertheless, most contests focus only on the point tool problems instead of addressing the design flow or co-optimization among design tools. OpenDesign Flow Database platform is developed to direct attentions to the overall design flow from logic synthesis to physical design optimization [1]. The goals are to provide an academic reference design flow based on past CAD contest results, the database for design benchmarks and point tool libraries, and standard design input/output formats to build a customized design flow by composing point tool libraries.
Occupational trichloroethylene exposure and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: a meta-analysis and review

Methods: Meta-analysis and review of 14 occupational cohort and four case-control studies of workers exposed to trichloroethylene (TCE) to investigate the relation between TCE exposure and the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Studies were selected and categorised based on a priori criteria, and results from random effects meta-analyses are presented. Results: The summary relative risk estimates (SRRE) for the group of cohort studies that had more detailed information on TCE exposure was 1.29 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.66) for the total cohort and 1.59 (95% CI 1.21 to 2.08) for the seven studies that identified a specific TCE exposed sub-cohort. SRREs for three studies with cumulative exposure information were 1.8 (95% CI 0.62 to 5.26) for the lowest exposure category and 1.41 (95% CI 0.61 to 3.23) for the highest category. Comparison of SRREs by levels of TCE exposure did not indicate exposure-response trends. The remaining cohort studies that identified TCE exposure but lacked detailed exposure information had an SRRE of 0.843 (95% CI 0.72 to 0.98). Case-control studies had an SRRE of 1.39 (95% CI 0.62 to 3.10). Statistically significant findings for the Group 1 studies were driven by the results from the subgroup of multiple industry cohort studies (conducted in Europe) (SRRE = 1.86; 95% CI 1.27 to 2.71). The SRRE for single industry cohort studies was not significantly elevated (SRRE = 1.25; 95% CI 0.87 to 1.79). Conclusions: Interpretation of overall findings is hampered by variability in results across the Group 1 studies, limited exposure assessments, lack of evidence of exposure response trends, lack of supportive information from toxicological and mechanistic data, and absence of consistent findings in epidemiologic studies of exposure and NHL. Although a modest positive association was found in the TCE sub-cohort analysis, a finding attributable to studies that included workers from multiple industries, there is insufficient evidence to suggest a causal link between TCE exposure and NHL.