Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Can notochordal cells promote bone marrow stromal cell potential for nucleus pulposus enrichment? : a simplified In Vitro system

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) have shown promising potential to stop intervertebral disc degeneration in several animal models. In order to restore a healthy state, though, this potential should be further stimulated. Notochordal cells (NCs), inﬂuential in disc development, have been shown to stimulate BMSC differentiation, but it is unclear how this effect will translate in an environment where resident disc cells (nucleus pulposus cells [NPCs]) could also inﬂuence BMSCs. The goal of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the effects of NCs on BMSCs when cocultured with NPCs, in a simpliﬁed 3D in vitro system. Bovine BMSCs and NPCs were mixed (Mix) and seeded into alginate beads. Using culture inserts, the Mix was then cocultured with porcine NCs (alginate beads) and compared to coculture with empty beads or porcine skin ﬁbroblasts (SFs, alginate beads). NPCs alone were also cocultured with NCs, and BMSCs alone cultured under chondrogenic conditions. The effects of coculture conditions on cell viability, matrix production (proteoglycan and collagen), and gene expression of disc markers (aggrecan, type II collagen, and SOX9) were assessed after 4 weeks of culture. The NC phenotype and gene expression proﬁle were also analyzed. Coculture with NCs did not signiﬁcantly inﬂuence cell viability, proteoglycan production, or disc marker gene expression of the Mix. When compared to NPCs, the Mix produced the same amount of proteoglycan and displayed a higher expression of disc marker, indicating a stimulation of the BMSCs (and/or NPCs) in the Mix. Additionally, during the 4 weeks of culture, the NC phenotype changed drastically (morphology, gene expression proﬁle). These results show that NCs might not be as stimulatory for BMSCs
2017). Low serum magnesium levels are associated with increased risk of fractures: a long-term prospective cohort study. European Journal

Magnesium, which is an essential trace element that plays a key role in several cellular processes, is a major component of bone; however, its relationship with risk of major bone fractures is uncertain. We aimed to investigate the association of baseline serum magnesium concentrations with risk of incident fractures. We analyzed data on 2245 men aged 42–61 years in the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease prospective cohort study, with the assessment of serum magnesium measurements and dietary intakes made at baseline. Hazard ratios [95% conﬁdence intervals (CI)] for incident total (femoral, humeral, and forearm) and femoral fractures were assessed. During a median follow-up of 25.6 years, 123 total fractures were recorded. Serum magnesium was non-linearly associated with risk of total fractures. In age-adjusted Cox regression analysis, the hazard ratio (HR) (95% CIs) for total fractures in a comparison of the bottom quartile versus top quartile of magnesium concentrations was 2.10 (1.30–3.41), which persisted on adjustment for several established risk factors 1.99 (1.23–3.24). The association remained consistent on further adjustment for renal function, socioeconomic status, total energy intake, and several trace elements 1.80 (1.10–2.94). The corresponding adjusted HRs for femoral fractures were 2.56 (1.38–4.76), 2.43 (1.30–4.53) and 2.13 (1.13–3.99) respectively. There was no evidence of an association of dietary magnesium intake with risk of any fractures. In middle-aged Caucasian men, low serum magnesium is strongly and independently associated with an increased risk of fractures. Further research is needed to assess the potential relevance of serum magnesium in the prevention of fractures
Discrete‐Time Consensus Filters for Average Tracking of Time‐Varying Inputs on Directed Switching Graphs

In this paper, we consider discrete‐time distributed estimation on a directed graph with switching topologies. Motivated by a recent PI consensus filter, we modify the protocol and remove the limitation of undirected graph and gain conditions with requirement for global topological information. The protocol is then extended to switching topologies. Convergence analysis is conducted for constant inputs under both balanced directed and general directed graphs with topological switching. Then, the result is extended to all cases for time‐varying inputs with an analytical derivation of the error bound. Satisfactory simulation results are shown to validate theoretical claims.
Projected Benefits of Long-Acting Antiretroviral Therapy in Nonsuppressed People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Experiencing Adherence Barriers

Abstract Background In a demonstration project, long-acting, injectable cabotegravir-rilpivirine (CAB-RPV) achieved viral suppression in a high proportion of people with HIV (PWH) who were virologically nonsuppressed with adherence barriers. We projected the long-term impact of CAB-RPV for nonsuppressed PWH experiencing adherence barriers. Methods Using the Cost-Effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications (CEPAC) model, we compared 3 strategies: (1) standard of care oral integrase inhibitor–based ART (INSTI); (2) INSTI-based ART with supportive social services (“wraparound services” [WS]) (INSTI/WS); and (3) CAB-RPV with WS (CAB-RPV/WS). Model outcomes included viral suppression (%) and engagement in care (%) at 3 years, and life expectancy (life-years [LYs]). Base case cohort characteristics included mean age of 47y (standard deviation [SD], 10y), 90% male at birth, and baseline mean CD4 count 150/µL (SD, 75/µL). Viral suppression at 3 months was 13% (INSTI), 28% (INSTI/WS), and 60% (CAB-RPV/WS). Mean loss to follow-up was 28/100 person-years (PY) (SD, 2/100 PY) without WS and 16/100 PY (SD, 1/100 PY) with WS. Results Projected viral suppression at 3 years would vary widely: 16% (INSTI), 38% (INSTI/WS), and 44% (CAB-RPV/WS). Life expectancy would be 7.4 LY (INSTI), 9.0 LY (INSTI/WS), and 9.4 LY (CAB-RPV/WS). Projected benefits over oral ART would be greater for PWH initiating CAB-RPV/WS at lower CD4 counts. Across plausible key parameter ranges, CAB-RPV/WS would improve viral suppression and life expectancy compared with oral INSTI strategies. Conclusions These model-based results support that long-acting injectable CAB-RPV with extensive support services for nonsuppressed PWH experiencing adherence barriers is likely to increase viral suppression and improve survival. A prospective study to provide further evidence is needed.
Dynamics of Consumption Expenditure and Poverty Statistics in a Rural-Urban Context

This paper analyzes consumption expenditure and poverty dynamics in rural and urban areas of India using panel data analysis. The objective is to identify factors related to escaping poverty and understand current poverty status. The study utilizes data from the India Human Development Survey (IHDS) for 2004-05 and 2011-12. The research methodology combines panel regression with fixed effects and binary logit regression. Findings reveal significant relationships between demographic characteristics, education, and consumption expenditure. Socioeconomic factors, like income sources and employment status, also influence Per Capita Consumption Expenditure. The study highlights the multidimensional nature of poverty, calling for targeted policies to address various dimensions. Policymakers can use these insights to foster inclusive development and reduce poverty in India. However, the binary logit regression has limitations, and future research could explore more nuanced models. Overall, this study informs evidence-based policymaking for poverty alleviation and inclusive development.
A measurement study on voice instabilities during modal-falsetto register transition

: When one of the dominant harmonics (the fundamental frequency and its harmonic components) is close to the ﬁrst formant frequency, the eﬀect of the source-ﬁlter interaction can induce voice register transition, in which the vocal-fold vibration becomes unstable and the pitch jumps abruptly. We investigated the relationship between the dominant harmonics, the ﬁrst formant frequency, and the pitch jump width in the modal-falsetto transition to examine the eﬀect of source-ﬁlter interaction. We measured temporal patterns of the fundamental frequency and the ﬁrst formant when subjects performed rising glissandi with /a/ and /i/ vowels. For the /a/ vowel, there were weak proximity relationships between the dominant harmonics and ﬁrst formant during the transition, indicating that source-induced transition occurred. For the /i/ vowel, in contrast, the fundamental frequency was regularly close to the ﬁrst formant in the transition, indicating that the acoustically induced transition was caused by the source-ﬁlter interaction. Additionally, it was found that the diﬀerence between these two mechanisms had little inﬂuence on the pitch jump width. Finally, we concluded that the source-ﬁlter interaction is a contributory factor of the modal-falsetto transition, in agreement with foregoing studies.
Thermal Fluctuations as a Computational Microscope for Studying Crystalline Interfaces: A Mechanistic Perspective

Interfaces such as grain boundaries are ubiquitous in crystalline materials and have provided a fertile area of research over decades. Their importance stems from the numerous critical phenomena associated with them, such as grain boundary sliding, migration, and interaction with other defects, that govern the mechanical properties of materials. Although these crystalline interfaces exhibit small out-of-plane fluctuations, statistical thermodynamics of membranes has been effectively used to extract relevant physical quantities such as the interface free energy, grain boundary stiffness, and interfacial mobility. In this perspective, we advance the viewpoint that thermal fluctuations of crystalline interfaces can serve as a computational microscope for gaining insights into the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of grain boundaries and present a rich source of future study. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4037885]
Türkçe Dersinde Dijital Akıcılığın Geliştirilmesi İçin Hazırlanan Programın Sınıf Öğretmenlerinin Dijital Akıcılıklarına Etkisi

Bu çalışmanın amacı sınıf öğretmenlerinde dijital akıcılığı geliştirmek için hazırlanan programın etkililiğini değerlendirmektir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda öğretmenlerin dijital akıcılık düzeylerini belirlemede kullanabilecek geçerli ve güvenilir bir ölçme aracı geliştirilmiştir. Çalışma nicel araştırma desenlerinden öntest-sontest kontrol gruplu yarı deneysel desende yürütülmüştür. Bu araştırmanın bağımsız değişkeni deney grubuna ön-test ile son-test arasında verilen Dijital Akıcılık Öğretmen Eğitimi olup, bağımlı değişkeni katılımcıların dijital akıcılık düzeyleridir. Araştırma kapsamında deney grubundaki öğretmenlere 30 saatlik Dijital Akıcılık Öğretmen Eğitimi uygulanmış, kontrol grubuna ise herhangi bir uygulama yapılmamıştır. Verilerin analizinden elde edilen bulgulara göre, deneysel uygulamalar sonrasında, deney grubundaki öğretmenlerin dijital akıcılık düzeylerinin kontrol grubundaki öğretmenlere göre anlamlı düzeyde yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. Bu çalışma sonucunda, uygulanan Dijital Akıcılık Öğretmen Eğitim Programının deney grubundaki öğretmenlerin dijital akıcılık düzeylerinde artış sağladığı bulguları elde edilmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında elde edilen bulgular alanyazın temelli tartışılarak yorumlanmış ve öneriler sunulmuştur.
Multi‐beam monopulse substrate integrated waveguide slot array antenna

A multi-beam slot array antenna is proposed in the 10-GHz band for a monopulse tracking system with resolution enhancement techniques. The antenna architecture combines a four-subarray substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) slot antenna, a multi-beam-forming network of microstrip Rotman lens array, and a SIW comparator of four-quadrant monopulse technique. A method to form difference patterns in both E-plane and H-plane for mutibeams is presented, and the method can improve the accuracy of angle detection for all beams. The key point of the method is to compensate the phase difference caused by the beam deflection between the two subarrays (quadrants) by constraining input delay lines of the Rotman lens array. To validate the proposed concepts, an antenna prototype is realized and measured. The experimental results demonstrate a scanning range of ±36° with -5 dB crossover level between two adjacent sum beams in the E-plane. The corresponding difference patterns are generated in both E-plane and H-plane via the monopulse comparator. The multi-beam monopulse system can achieve gains between 21.7 and 23.5 dBi for all sum beams at the center frequency of 10 GHz. This multi-beam monopulse slot antenna can be applied in radars and communication systems requiring beam-scanning capabilities and target tracking.
Manufacturers’ Acquiescence to Buyers’ Sourcing Requests in Industrial Markets

ABSTRACT Purpose This study examines a three-level interdependent hierarchical supply chain and explores the antecedents and consequences of a manufacturer’s acquiescence to a buyer’s request to source a component from a designated component supplier. Methodology This research collected survey data from 212 Chinese mining companies and analyzed the data using structural equation models. Findings First, a manufacturer’s acquiescence is negatively associated with its industrial knowledge and technological capability as perceived by the buyer, but positively correlated with the relational ties between the buyer and the designated component supplier. Second, the detailing efforts strengthen the impact of perceived industrial knowledge but weaken that of relational ties on acquiescence. Third, the manufacturer’s acquiescence ensures the buyer’s power maintenance and procurement outcome certainty, and improves the manufacturer’s customer loyalty and control of sourcing information. Research implications The research highlights the significance of understanding acquiescence within an interdependent supply chain network and indicates that acquiescence will not necessarily lead to the acquiescing firm’s dependence disadvantage. Practical implications The research suggests that firms can use acquiescence to preserve interdependent supply chain relationships. When deciding whether to acquiesce or not, firms should consider not only the market perceptions of their resources and capabilities but also the supply chain networks. Detailing can be an effective method to reduce the pressure for acquiescence. Originality In the context of a manufacturer’s sourcing decisions, the research provides fresh insights into acquiescence in a three-level hierarchical supply chain relationship.
Giant magnetic anisotropy of heavy p-elements on high-symmetry substrates: a new paradigm for supported nanostructures

Nanostructures with giant magnetic anisotropy energies (MAEs) are desired in designing miniaturized magnetic storage and quantum computing devices. Previous works focused mainly on materials or elements with d electrons. Here, by taking Bi–X(X = In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb) adsorbed on nitrogenized divacancy of graphene and Bi atoms adsorbed on MgO(100) as examples, through ab initio and model calculations, we propose that special p-element dimers and single-adatoms on symmetry-matched substrates possess giant atomic MAEs of 72–200 meV, and has room temperature structural stability. The huge MAEs originate from the p-orbital degeneracy around the Fermi level in a symmetry-matched surface ligand field and the lifting of this degeneracy when spin–orbit interaction (SOI) is taken into account. Especially, we developed a simplified quantum mechanical model for the design principles of giant MAEs of supported magnetic adatoms and dimers. Thus, our discoveries and mechanisms provide a new paradigm to design giant atomic MAE of p electrons in supported nanostructures.
Parameterized Wildfire Fragility Functions for Overhead Power Line Conductors

Wildfires have been, recently more-frequently, posing significant threats to the safety and reliability of electric power delivery infrastructure, calling for the development of dedicated risk and vulnerability assessment frameworks. Fragility functions are essential tools for probabilistic risk assessment to estimate the failure likelihood of the system components as a function of hazard intensity. Widely exposed to the environment and atmospheric stressors, overhead power line conductors are among the most susceptible electric delivery infrastructure to approaching wildfires. Beyond the state-of-the-art fragility models, this article proposes novel parameterized wildfire fragility functions that can capture the impact of different environmental conditions and wildfire severity measures on overhead power line conductors. In doing so, wildfire behaviour is comprehensively characterized in order to model the temperature change in overhead conductors in the face of progressing wildfires. A novel parametric fragility model, which is a function of a set of physical and environmental features (e.g., conductor height, landscape slope, the dryness of fuel, fuel depth, wind speed, flame length), is then suggested to assess the failure likelihood of conductors given a permissible safety conductor temperature rise. A set of fire features (e.g., fire line intensity, fire rate of spread, and the angle of the fire approaching the conductors) is embedded in the proposed fragility model to capture the wildfire uncertainties. The numerical results reveal that, unlike the commonly-used fragility models, the proposed parameterized fragility function is able to accurately represent the impact of critical physical, environmental, and fire features in determining the vulnerability of power distribution lines when facing wildfire emergencies.
Robust global second-order sliding mode control with adaptive parameter-tuning law for perturbed dynamical systems

This paper offers an adaptive global second-order sliding surface for perturbed dynamical systems with matched and unmatched external disturbances. Based on the composite nonlinear feedback theory, a nonlinear function Ψ(x1) is employed in the switching surface to adjust the damping ratio of the controlled system. Initially, using a constant gain matrix, a small value of the damping ratio is achieved presenting a fast performance. As the system state converges to the origin, the damping ratio of the closed-loop system is increased that yields fast settling time and a low overshoot. A novel smooth and chattering-free controller is proposed to fulfill the removal of the reaching mode and the existence of the sliding behavior around the surface from the beginning. The adaptive gain tuning controller reduces the required information for the upper bound of disturbances. Moreover, the selection of the constant parameters μ1 and τ1 for the control law is turned into a cost function and solved by a particle swarm optimization method. Several criteria are derived to assure the robust stability of the uncertain dynamical system. Some simulations are offered to demonstrate the effectiveness of the planned technique.
Source-receiver wavefield interferometry in scattering media

Seismic or wavefield interferometry refers to a set of methods that synthesize wavefields between pairs of receivers, pairs of sources, or a source and a receiver, using wavefields propagating from and to surrounding boundaries of sources and/or receivers. Starting from cross-correlations of ambient seismic noise recordings, which provide the signal between two receivers as if one of them had been an active source, interferometric methods developed rapidly within the last decade, revolutionizing the way in which seismic, acoustic, elastic, or electromagnetic waves are used to image and monitor the interior of a medium. Only recently, an explicit link was found between the methods of source-receiver interferometry (SRI) and seismic imaging, a technique widely used in seismic exploration to map diffractors and reflectors in the subsurface, but also in more academic studies investigating, for example, deep crustal processes. This link is particularly interesting because SRI, in contrast to classical imaging schemes, does not rely on the single-scattering assumption but accounts for all multiple-scattering effects in the medium. While first non-linear imaging schemes based on SRI have been proposed, the full potential of the method remains to be explored and a number of open questions concerning, for example, the role of non-physical energy in interferometric wavefield estimates, require further investigation. The aim of this thesis is to gain more insight into the method of source-receiver interferometry in the context of wavefield construction and analysis in multiply scattering media, especially when theoretical requirements of the method (such as complete boundaries of sources and receivers, surrounding the medium of interest) are not met. First I analyse the single diffractor case using partial surface boundaries only. I find that only two out of eight terms of the SRI equation are required to construct a robust estimate of the scattered wavefield, and that one of these two terms is also used in seismic imaging. The other term provides a pseudo-physical estimate of the scattered wave; this is a new type of non-physical energy that emulates the kinematics of a physically scattered wave. I then proceed to a multiple scattering scenario, using the pseudo-physical term to predict the travel times and exact scattering paths of multiply diffracted waves. The presented algorithm is purely data-driven and fully automated and, as a by-product,
Modeling of Sulmazole analogues as cardiotonic agents

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) studies on a series of 16 Sulmazole analogues have been reported in this paper. The study has been made utilizing Topological indices and Connectivity indices. The results have been critically discussed using different statistical parameters. Six estimated models were obtained, out of which the bi-parametric model has been considered to be the best. The robustness of the best estimated model has been evaluated using ridge regression which indicated that multicollinearity is not a problem in this model. Our results indicate that with the decrease in the value of third order valency connectivity index and with the increase in the value of Balaban index G, cardiotonic activity [log (I/IC50)] increases. The values of statistical parameters obtained are: R2 = 0.7049, R2A = 0.6312, CV = 0.0460, F-ratio = 9.556
A model-aware inexact Newton scheme for electrical impedance tomography

This work gives new insights into the EIT model. Firstly, a novel relation between the conductivity and the data is derived, giving quantitative insights about the instability of the inverse problem. Secondly, a reconstruction framework is introduced which estimates unknown model parameters and then solves the problem with a tailored Newton method. Additional problem-specific optimizations are incorporated into the framework. Simulations verify its efficiency for simulated and measured data.