Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Geometry of Supersymmetric D = 2 Nonlinear Sigma Models

This paper will consider supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models in two space-time dimensions. First, the rich variety of possible supersymmetries in two dimensions will be discussed. Next, a slight detour into some complex geometry will be taken to gather some useful definitions and results. Finally, it will be shown that requiring the sigma model to have extended supersymmetry imposes various geometric constraints on the target manifold of the model. Nonlinear sigma models are the quantum field theories of harmonic maps from space-time into a Riemannian manifold M. In d = 2, a scalar field is dimensionless so a Lagrangian of the form L = ∫ dxgij(φ)∂μφ∂φ is renormalizable. As any function, gij(φ), leads to a renormalizable theory, this class of field theories contains an infinite number of marginal parameters. To restrict the possible parameters, symmetries are imposed. This is generally accomplished by restricting the fields to take values in a Riemannian manifold. Classic examples are S and CP. Supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models enlarge the set of symmetries of the theory to include supersymmetries. This can be done by writing the above Lagrangian in terms of chiral superfields, for instance. The Lagrangian for the scalar components of the superfields will then be the same as above. One reason to study these models is their application to string theory. One can view the d = 2 space-time as a string world-sheet. Extended world-sheet supersymmetries have had two different uses in string theory. The heterotic string has only a gauged (1, 1) or (1, 0) world-sheet supersymmetry, but the corresponding (1, 1) or (1, 0) sigma model on a suitable background can have extra rigid world-sheet supersymmetries. This fact has played a central role in the study of compactifications of the theory. Sigma models have also played a central role in the study of N = 2 strings, or more generally, strings with (2, 0), (2, 1), or (2, 2) world-sheet supersymmetry. For instance, the heterotic sigma models which describe the target spaces of (2, 1) strings require a particular geometry for the target space. It is Hermitean with torsion, and the field equations imply that the curvature with torsion is self-dual in four dimensions, or satisfies generalised self-duality equations in higher dimensions. For a more thorough discussion of the applications of sigma models to string theory, see [1] and references therein. The main point is that the extended supersymmetries impose restrictions on the geometry of the target manifold. This, in turn, allows one to make stronger statements about the quantum theory, with regards to vacuum structure and ultra-violet behavior in particular.
Principles and design feasibility of a Doppler ultrasound intravascular volumetric flowmeter

A new Doppler ultrasound intravascular method is described for the measurement of volumetric flow. Based on the principles described by C. F. Hottinger and J. D. Meindl (Ultrasonic Imaging, vol. 1, p. 1-15, 1979), it uses a novel semispherical transducer mounted at the tip of a catheter, which generates sample volumes in the form of a thin semispherical shell. Volumetric flow is calculated by using the average velocity determined from the received Doppler spectrum and the area of intersection of a sample volume that completely intersects flow across the vessel. Although a catheter-size transducer was not developed, a larger version was tested using an in vitro steady flow model. Maximum average flow error was limited to 9% for steady flows of 2 to 7 L/min. This error is believed to be a result of the nonuniform intensity generated by the prototype transducer, as well as slight variations in the received power, rather than any fundamental limitations of the flow measurement method itself. Since this study has verified the design principles and feasibility of this new approach, the authors believe that more detailed experimental investigations are warranted. <<ETX>>
Household consumption patterns, indirect tax structures and implications for indirect tax harmonisation: a three country perspective

The paper compares the indirect tax structures and consumption patterns of three European countries (the UK, Greece and Hungary) and studies the likely distributional impact of a potential convergence of their indirect tax systems by exploiting the rich source of Family Expenditure Survey microdata of these countries. The results reveal a southern/northern distinction in expenditure patterns, while, in terms of tax systems and inequality, the common history of a market economy within the European Union shared by the UK and Greece proves to be a strong determinant of common structures. Over the last decade indirect tax structures among the three countries converged, at the same time loosing part of their redistributive power. Indirect tax harmonisation towards a simple system of, for example, the UK type might reduce inequality.
Registering medicines for low‐income countries: how suitable are the stringent review procedures of the World Health Organisation, the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency?

New medicines are registered after a resource‐demanding process. Unfortunately, in low‐income countries (LICs), demand outweighs resources. To facilitate registration in LICs, stringent review procedures of the European Medicines Agency (EMA Article‐58), Food and Drug Administration (FDA PEPFAR‐linked review) and WHO Prequalification programme have been established. Only the PEPFAR‐linked review gives approval, while the others make recommendations for approval. This study assessed the performance and discussed the challenges of these three stringent review procedures. Data from WHO, FDA, EMA, Medline and Internet were analysed. Over 60% of medicines reviewed by stringent review procedures are manufactured in India. Until 2012, WHO prequalified 400 medicines (211 vaccines, 130 antiretrovirals, 29 tuberculostatics, 15 antimalarials and 15 others). PEPFAR‐linked review approved 156 antiretrovirals, while EMA Article 58 recommended approval of 3 antiretrovirals, 1 vaccine and 1 antimalarial. WHO Prequalification and PEPFAR‐linked review are free of charge and as a result have accelerated access to antiretrovirals. They both built capacity in sub‐Saharan Africa, although WHO prequalification relies technically on stringent regulatory authorities and financially on donors. Article‐58 offers the largest disease coverage and strongest technical capacities, is costly and involves fewer LICs. To meet the high demand for quality medicines in LICs, these stringent review procedures need to enlarge their disease coverage. To improve registration, EMA Article 58 should actively involve LICs. Furthermore, LIC regulatory activities must not be fully resigned to stringent review procedure.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Secretory Function as an Independent Determinant of Blood Pressure: Analysis in the Tanno-Sobetsu Study

Aims Roles of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in extra-pancreatic tissues remain unclear. The aim of this study was to examine determinants of GLP-1 secretory function and possible contribution of GLP-1 to blood pressure (BP) regulation. Methods and Results We recruited 128 subjects who received annual examinations and 75g-oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in the Tanno-Sobetsu cohort. Subjects on regular medications for cardiovascular and/or metabolic diseases were excluded, and data for the remaining 103 subjects were used for the univariate and multivariate analyses. Age, plasma glucose (PG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), plasma insulin, and serum lipids were not selected as independent determinants of fasting GLP-1 level by multiple linear regression analysis. However, age and female sex were selected as independent positive determinants of the area under the curve of GLP-1 level during OGTT (AUCGLP-1), an index of GLP-1 secretory function. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that AUCGLP-1 was an independent negative predictor of systolic BP (SBP), while AUCGLP-1 was not correlated with fasting PG or HbA1c level. In subgroup analyses using the median of AUCGLP-1 to divide the study subjects into high and low GLP-1 response groups, AUCGLP-1 was significantly correlated with both SBP and diastolic BP (r = 0.40 and 0.28, respectively) in the low GLP-1 response group but not in the high GLP-1 response group. Conclusions The results of the present study suggest that GLP-1 secretory function is involved in prevention of BP elevation and that the GLP-1 response to oral glucose rather increases with aging perhaps as an adaptive phenomenon.
miR-16 and miR-21 Expression in the Placenta Is Associated with Fetal Growth

Background Novel research has suggested that altered miRNA expression in the placenta is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and with potentially harmful xenobiotic exposures. We hypothesized that aberrant expression of miRNA in the placenta is associated with fetal growth, a measurable phenotype resulting from a number of intrauterine factors, and one which is significantly predictive of later life outcomes. Methodology/Principal Findings We analyzed 107 primary, term, human placentas for expression of 6 miRNA reported to be expressed in the placenta and to regulate cell growth and development pathways: miR-16, miR-21, miR-93, miR-135b, miR-146a, and miR-182. The expression of miR-16 and miR-21 was markedly reduced in infants with the lowest birthweights (p<0.05). Logistic regression models suggested that low expression of miR-16 in the placenta predicts an over 4-fold increased odds of small for gestational age (SGA) status (p = 0.009, 95% CI = 1.42, 12.05). Moreover, having both low miR-16 and low miR-21 expression in the placenta predicts a greater increase in odds for SGA than having just low miR-16 or miR-21 expression (p<0.02), suggesting an additive effect of both of these miRNA. Conclusions/Significance Our study is one of the first to investigate placental miRNA expression profiles associated with birthweight and SGA status. Future research on miRNA whose expression is associated with in utero exposures and markers of fetal growth is essential for better understanding the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the developmental origins of health and disease.
HYDROMECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF SANDS UNDER PROPORTIONAL TRIAXIAL COMPRESSION TESTS

Performance of reservoirs and wells in unconsolidated formations involve many challenges from hydromechanical properties viewpoint. The large deformation of these unconsolidated reservoirs during production, mainly induced by fluid pressure changes, have an important impact on the performance of the wells but also lead to strong modification of the flow properties at the scale of the whole reservoir. Coupled mechanical and transport studies on such weakly cohesive reservoir rocks, difficult and too rare, are needed to understand the interaction between fluid pressure, deformation and performance of these reservoirs. Classically the mechanical loadings applied in the laboratory are hydrostatic or deviatoric at constant confining pressure; however the insitu stress-paths experienced by the reservoirs differ due to complex geology. We need thus to perform loading tests with more appropriate conditions such as proportional triaxial with different stress path parameters K where K refers to the ratio of change in confining pressure to change in axial stress. We use a triaxial flow cell to perform proportional triaxial compression tests under stress path ratio 0<K<1 in drained conditions and permeability measurements on quartz sands in order to determine both their hydromechanical (permeability and compressibilities) and elastoplastic properties. For all tests, the porosity and permeability reductions depend on the stress-path coefficient, the grain angularity and the granular packing. Observations are rationalised through consideration of plastic yielding controlled by elliptical caps. The magnitude of compactive yield stresses increases with roundness of the particles at fixed size (~1mm). The samples are damaged either in the 1-30 MPa or 1-60 MPa pressure ranges depending on the magnitude of the hydrostatic yield stress; on the basis of compressibilities and permeability evolutions, for the studied rounded particles the critical pressure at failure is 30 MPa whereas for the sharp sands, the critical pressure is around 10 MPa. For sharp grains, the yield stresses, difficult to identify on the stress-strain curves characterized by smooth evolutions, are obtained by the maximum curvature criterion; this results from a progressive damage of the grains by the abrasion of the angular edges. Grain damage is analysed by Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyser. Permeability reductions can reach 10% with the elastic deformation and drop down by two orders of magnitude in the plastic deformation regime.
A computer-aided detection of EEG seizures in infants: a singular-spectrum approach and performance comparison

Presents a scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) seizure detection scheme based on singular spectrum analysis (SSA) and Rissanen minimum description length (MDL) model-order selection (SSA-MDL). Preprocessing of the signals allows for the drastic reduction of the number of false alarms. Statistical performance comparison with seizure detection schemes of Gotman et al. (1997) and Liu et al. (1992) is performed on both synthetic data and real EEG seizures. Monte Carlo simulations based on synthetic infant EEG seizure data reveals some detection drawbacks on a large variety of seizure waveforms. Detection using both Monte Carlo and four real infant scalp EEG signals shows the superiority of the SSA-MDL method with an average good detection rate of >93% and false detection rate <4%.
Uridine Diphosphate Glucose Metabolism and Callose Synthesis in Cultured Pollen Tubes of Nicotiana alata Link et Otto

Membrane preparations from cultured pollen tubes of Nicotiana alata Link et Otto contain a Ca2+ -independent (1–3)-[beta]-D-glucan (callose) synthase activity that has a low affinity for UDP-glucose, even when activated by treatment with trypsin (H. Schlupmann, A. Basic, S.M. Read [1993] Planta 191: 470–481). Therefore, we investigated whether UDP-glucose was a likely substrate for callose synthesis in actively growing pollen tubes. Deposition of (1–3)-[beta]-glucan occurred at a constant rate, 1.4 to 1.7 nmol glucose min-1, in tubes from 1 mg of pollen from 3 h after germination; however, the rate of incorporation of radioactivity from exogenous [14C]-sucrose into wall polymers was not constant, but increased until at least 8 h after germination, probably due to decreasing use of internal reserves. UDP-glucose was a prominent ultraviolet-absorbing metabolite in pollen-tube extracts, with 1.6 nmol present in tubes from 1 mg of pollen, giving a calculated cytoplasmic concentration of approximately 3.5 mM. Radioactivity from [14C]-sucrose was rapidly incorporated into sugar monophosphates and UDP-glucose by the growing tubes, consistent with a turnover time for UDP-glucose of less than 1 min; the specific radioactivity of extracted UDP-[14C]glucose was equal to that calculated from the rate of incorporation of [14C]sucrose into wall glucans. Large amounts of less metabolically active neutral sugars were also present. The rate of synthesis of (1–3)-[beta]-glucan by nontrypsin-treated pollen-tube membrane preparations incubated with 3.5 mM UDP-glucose and a [beta]-glucoside activator was slightly greater than the rate of deposition of (1–3)-[beta]-glucan by intact pollen tubes. These data are used to assess the physiological significance of proteolytic activation of pollen-tube callose synthase.
Meat and Seafood Consumption in Relation to Plasma Metabolic Profiles in a Chinese Population: A Combined Untargeted and Targeted Metabolomics Study

We examined the relationship between different patterns of meat and seafood consumption and plasma metabolic profiles in an Asian population. We selected 270 ethnic Chinese men and women from the Singapore Prospective Study Program based on their dietary habits assessed with a validated food frequency questionnaire. Participants were divided into four subgroups: high meat and high seafood (n = 60), high meat and low seafood (n = 64), low meat and high seafood (n = 60), and low meat and low seafood (n = 86) consumers. Plasma metabolites were measured using both targeted and untargeted mass spectroscopy-based analyses. A total of 42 metabolites differed significantly by dietary group. Higher concentrations of essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and d-glucose were found in high meat and/or seafood consumers as compared with the group with a low consumption of these animal foods. Red meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, soy products, and dairy were each correlated with at least one differential metabolite (r = −0.308 to 0.448). Some observations, such as the correlation between fish and 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropanoic acid (CMPF), confirmed previous studies. Other observations, such as the correlation between shellfish and phosphatidylethanolamine (p36:4), were novel. We also observed significant correlations between plasma metabolites and clinical characteristics, such as CMPF with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.401). These findings demonstrate a significant influence of meat and seafood consumption on metabolic profiles in the Asian population.
Embodied affectivity: on moving and being moved

There is a growing body of research indicating that bodily sensation and behavior strongly influences one's emotional reaction toward certain situations or objects. On this background, a framework model of embodied affectivity1 is suggested: we regard emotions as resulting from the circular interaction between affective qualities or affordances in the environment and the subject's bodily resonance, be it in the form of sensations, postures, expressive movements or movement tendencies. Motion and emotion are thus intrinsically connected: one is moved by movement (perception; impression; affection2) and moved to move (action; expression; e-motion). Through its resonance, the body functions as a medium of emotional perception: it colors or charges self-experience and the environment with affective valences while it remains itself in the background of one's own awareness. This model is then applied to emotional social understanding or interaffectivity which is regarded as an intertwinement of two cycles of embodied affectivity, thus continuously modifying each partner's affective affordances and bodily resonance. We conclude with considerations of how embodied affectivity is altered in psychopathology and can be addressed in psychotherapy of the embodied self.
Carrier Transport and Sensing in Compound Semiconductor Nanowires

Carrier Transport and Sensing in Compound Semiconductor Nanowires Joseph R. Salfi Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Toronto 2011 Experiments and analysis in this thesis advance the understanding of critical issues in the carrier transport properties of InAs and InAs/GaAs core/shell heterostructure nanowires (diameter 30-60 nm) grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Effects of robust sub-band quantization structure on the gate-voltage dependence of conductance are observed up to 77 K in a single InAs nanowire with diameter 34±2 nm. Electronic field effect mobility at 300 K and 30 K are typically 2000-4000 cm2V−1s−1 and 10000-20000 cm2V−1s−1. Strain induced by lattice mismatch in epitaxial core/shell InAs/GaAs heterostructure nanowires is found to relax by formation of dislocations, correlated with nearly one order of magnitude suppression of room temperature field effect mobility compared with bare InAs nanowires. The carrier transport properties of Mn-doped ZnO nanowires were also investigated, where despite the large bandgap, conductivity is not thermally activated, and carrier mobility is consistent with strong degeneracy of the electron gas at 10 K. A novel method was developed providing the first experimental characterization of the quasi-equilibrium gate-voltage dependent surface potential in nanowire field-effect transistors, based on statistics of charging/discharging of a single Coulomb impurity evident in a random telegraph signal, which succeeds in nanostructures with tiny (attofarad) gate capacitance, where similar capacitance-voltage methods are challenging or impossible. We find that the evolution of channel potential with gate voltage is suppressed in the transistor’s accumulation regime due to the screening effects of surface states with
Promotion of hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through matrix metalloproteinase activation by epithelial-mesenchymal transition regulator Twist1

E‐cadherin loss is a key biological mechanism in tumour invasion. As a main regulator of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism‐mediated invasion and metastasis, Twist1 plays an important role through its regulation of E‐cadherin expression. However, whether or not Twist2 has the same function in tumour metastasis remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expressions and different roles of Twist1 and Twist2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expressions of Twist1 and Twist2 in HCC tissue were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. The role of Twist1 and Twist2 in invasiveness was also evaluated in vitro by using HCC cell lines. Twist1 nuclear overexpression is found to be correlated with HCC metastasis, and its expression is negatively correlated with E‐cadherin expression in human tissue. Twist2, a Twist1 homology protein, only expresses in the cytoplasm and shows no significant correlation with HCC metastasis. By ectopic transfection of Twist1 and Twist2 into the HCC cells, HepG2 and PLC, Twist1 is able to down‐regulate E‐cadherin expression and promote matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation, specifically in MMP2 and MMP9. In functional assays, Twist1 is found to promote invasion in HepG2 and PLC cells, but the invasion ability of the groups is not affected Twist2. Our findings indicate that Twist1 induces HCC invasion via increased activity in MMPs, leading to poor clinical prognoses. The results of this study also demonstrate a novel cogitation in Twist2, which has no effect on HCC invasion and metastasis. Twist1 may contribute to HCC invasion and metastasis and may be used as a novel therapeutic target for the inhibition of HCC metastasis.
Task release control for decision making queues

We consider the optimal duration allocation in a decision making queue. Decision making tasks arrive at a given rate to a human operator. The correctness of the decision made by the human evolves as a sigmoid function of the duration allocated to the task. Each task in the queue loses its value continuously. We elucidate on this trade-off and determine optimal policies for the human operator. We show the optimal policy requires the human to drop some tasks. We present a receding horizon optimization strategy, and compare it with the greedy policy.
Role of pancreatic stellate cells in chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is highly chemoresistant. A major contributing factor is the characteristic extensive stromal or fibrotic reaction, which comprises up to 90% of the tumor volume. Over the last decade there has been intensive research into the role of the pro-fibrogenic pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and their interaction with pancreatic cancer cells. As a result of the significant alterations in the tumor microenvironment following activation of PSCs, tumor progression, and chemoresistance is enhanced. This review will discuss how PSCs contribute to chemoresistance in pancreatic cancer.