Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modal propagation in ideal soft and hard waveguides

This paper presents an investigation on the modal wave propagation in circular and rectangular waveguides with perfectly soft and hard boundary conditions on the walls. For the case of soft rectangular waveguides, the solution cannot be derived in analytical form, thus requiring a numerical analysis. A knowledge of the field distribution associated with perfectly hard or soft waveguide modes, through a schematization of the reality, may help the design of corrugated horns or quasi-TEM waveguides, and to find new uses for soft and hard surfaces.
Gα12 Stimulates Apoptosis in Epithelial Cells through JNK1-mediated Bcl-2 Degradation and Up-regulation of IκBα*

Apoptosis is an essential mechanism for the maintenance of somatic tissues, and when dysregulated can lead to numerous pathological conditions. G proteins regulate apoptosis in addition to other cellular functions, but the roles of specific G proteins in apoptosis signaling are not well characterized. Gα12 stimulates protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), a serine/threonine phosphatase that modulates essential signaling pathways, including apoptosis. Herein, we examined whether Gα12 regulates apoptosis in epithelial cells. Inducible expression of Gα12 or constitutively active (QL)α12 in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells led to increased apoptosis with expression of QLα12, but not Gα12. Inducing QLα12 led to degradation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 (via the proteasome pathway), increased JNK activity, and up-regulated IκBα protein levels, a potent stimulator of apoptosis. Furthermore, the QLα12-stimulated activation of JNK was blocked by inhibiting PP2A. To characterize endogenous Gα12 signaling pathways, non-transfected MDCK-II and HEK293 cells were stimulated with thrombin. Thrombin activated endogenous Gα12 (confirmed by GST-tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) pull-downs) and stimulated apoptosis in both cell types. The mechanisms of thrombin-stimulated apoptosis through endogenous Gα12 were nearly identical to the mechanisms identified in QLα12-MDCK cells and included loss of Bcl-2, JNK activation, and up-regulation of IκBα. Knockdown of the PP2A catalytic subunit in HEK293 cells inhibited thrombin-stimulated apoptosis, prevented JNK activation, and blocked Bcl-2 degradation. In summary, Gα12 has a major role in regulating epithelial cell apoptosis through PP2A and JNK activation leading to loss of Bcl-2 protein expression. Targeting these pathways in vivo may lead to new therapeutic strategies for a variety of disease processes.
Technology Solutions to Combat Online Harassment

This work is part of a new initiative to use machine learning to identify online harassment in social media and comment streams. Online harassment goes under-reported due to the reliance on humans to identify and report harassment, reporting that is further slowed by requirements to fill out forms providing context. In addition, the time for moderators to respond and apply human judgment can take days, but response times in terms of minutes are needed in the online context. Though some of the major social media companies have been doing proprietary work in automating the detection of harassment, there are few tools available for use by the public. In addition, the amount of labeled online harassment data and availability of cross-platform online harassment datasets is limited. We present the methodology used to create a harassment dataset and classifier and the dataset used to help the system learn what harassment looks like.
Relationship of pharmacokinetics and drug distribution in tissue to increased safety of amphotericin B colloidal dispersion in dogs

The safety, pharmacokinetics, and distribution in tissue of an amphotericin B (AmB)-cholesteryl sulfate colloidal dispersion (ABCD) were compared with those of micellar amphotericin B-deoxycholate (m-AmB). Dogs received 14 daily injections of ABCD (0.6 to 10 mg/kg of body weight per day) or m-AmB (0.6 mg/kg/day). Safety was evaluated by monitoring body weight, hematology, clinical chemistry, and urinalysis during the study and by microscopic examination of tissues at the time of necropsy (day 16). AmB concentrations in plasma were measured in some groups on days 1, 7, and 14 and in necropsy tissue samples. ABCD produced a spectrum of toxic effects in the kidneys, gut, and liver similar to those of m-AmB, but ABCD was eightfold safer than m-AmB. The highest tolerated dose of ABCD (5.0 mg/kg/day) produced effects similar to those of m-AmB (0.6 mg/kg/day). ABCD produced lower concentrations in plasma than an equal dose of m-AmB did. Clearances on days 7 and 14 were higher for ABCD (304 and 295 ml/h.kg) than they were for m-AmB (67 and 53 ml/h.kg). Concentrations in plasma reached steady state after ABCD administration, but they increased after repeated dosing with m-AmB. Diurnal fluctuations in AmB concentrations in plasma were observed 4 to 8 h after the time of dosing. ABCD resulted in lower AmB concentrations in tissue than m-AmB did, except in the reticuloendothelial system. Up to 90% of AmB administered as ABCD was recovered from the liver and spleen on day 16. Reduced drug levels in the kidneys and gut correlated with reduced indications of toxicity in these organs after ABCD administration. Although ABCD increased concentrations of AmB in the reticuloendothelial system, increased toxicity was not observed in these organs.
What prevents GPs from using outside resources for women experiencing depression? A New Zealand study.

BACKGROUND GPs, often the 'gatekeepers' to mental health and related support services, have been found to refer on less often than seems desirable. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to explore what issues GPs would discuss with, and which treatments and support services they would consider for, depressed women; and to investigate barriers to referrals to other resources. METHODS All (217) GPs in one region of Auckland received questionnaires with a vignette and quantitative and qualitative questions concerning their responses to women experiencing depression. Twelve of the 86 respondents were interviewed. RESULTS GPs wanted to know about a range of medical, psychological and social issues. The solutions valued were biological and psychological, with some also favouring social interventions, such as assistance with childcare. However, the GPs reported limited referrals to outside resources, and frequent use of medication, because of the high cost and limited availability of psychological treatment, and difficulties accessing practical help. CONCLUSIONS This sample of GPs support improved accessibility, availability and affordability of psychological treatments and support services.
Foetal echocardiographic assessment of borderline small left ventricles can predict the need for postnatal intervention

Abstract Background We sought to prospectively determine foetal echocardiographic factors associated with neonatal interventions in borderline hypoplastic left ventricles. Methods Foetuses were included who had a left ventricle that was 2–4 standard deviations below normal for length or diameter and had forward flow across the mitral and aortic valves. Factors associated with an intervention in the first month of life or no need for intervention were sought using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results From 2005 to 2008, 47 foetuses meeting the criteria had an additional diagnosis (+foetal coarctation/+transverse arch hypoplasia): atrioventricular septal defect 7 (+2/+0), double outlet right ventricle 2 (+0/+0), Shone's complex 19 (+9/+4), and ventricular disproportion 19 (+13/+11; 4 both). There were seven pregnancies terminated, three foetal demises, and five had compassionate care. There were 32 livebirths that either had a biventricular repair (n = 20, n = 2 dead), univentricular palliation (n = 2, both alive), or no intervention (n = 9). Overall survival of livebirths to 6 months of age was 79%. Factors associated with early intervention on first foetal echocardiogram were: obstructed or retrograde arch flow (p = 0.08, odds ratio 3.3), coarctation (p = 0.05, odds ratio 11.4), and left ventricle outflow obstruction (p = 0.05, odds ratio 12.5). Neonatal factors included: Shone's diagnosis (p = 0.02, odds ratio 4.9), bicuspid aortic valve (p = 0.005, odds ratio 11.7), and larger tricuspid valve z-score (p = 0.05, odds ratio 3.6). A neonatal factor associated with no intervention was a larger mitral valve z-score (mean −3.8 versus −4.2 intervention group, p = 0.04, odds ratio 2.8). Discussion The need for early intervention in foetuses with borderline hypoplastic left ventricle can be predicted by foetal echocardiography.
Managing diet quality for Cheddar cheese manufacturing milk. 1. The influence of protein and energy supplements

The effects of supplementing cows' diets with protein and energy on milk composition and the composition and yield of Cheddar cheese were investigated. This research addresses the problems of seasonal reduction in the capacity of cheese curds to expel moisture as observed in parts of south-eastern Australia. Milk was collected from cows offered a basal diet of silage and hay supplemented with different sources and levels of dietary protein and energy. The protein supplements were sunflower, canola, cottonseed meal and lupin, and the energy supplements were maize grain, oats, wheat and barley. This milk was used to manufacture Cheddar cheese on a pilot scale. Cheese moisture content was dependent on the source and level of dietary protein and energy. Milk from cows offered the lupin protein supplements and wheat energy supplements consistently produced cheese with a lower moisture content and moisture in fat-free matter. Milk from these supplemented diets had increased casein concentrations and higher proportions of αs2-casein than milk from the poor quality control diet. Cheese yield was directly related to the total casein concentration of milk, but was not influenced by differences in casein composition. Supplementing the cows' diets increased the inorganic P, Mg and Ca concentrations in milk. A low inorganic P concentration in milk from cows offered the control diet was caused by a low intake of dietary P. These findings showed that changes in the mineral and casein composition of milk, associated with diet, could influence the composition of Cheddar cheese.
A Latent Variable Graphical Model Derivation of Diversity for Set-based Retrieval

Diversity has been heavily motivated as an objective criterion for result sets in the information retrieval literature and various ad-hoc heuristics have been proposed to explicitly optimize for it. In this paper, we start from first principles and show that optimizing a simple criterion of set-based relevance in a latent variable graphical model — a framework we refer to as probabilistic latent accumulated relevance (PLAR) — leads to diversity as a naturally emergent property of the solution. PLAR derives variants of latent semantic indexing (LSI) kernels for relevance and diversity and does not require ad-hoc tuning parameters to balance them. PLAR also directly motivates the general form of many other ad-hoc diversity heuristics in the literature, albeit with important modifications that we show can lead to improved performance on a diversity testbed from the TREC 6-8 Interactive Track.
Local navigation system for VTOLs used on the vessels

Modern warships are often equipped with small airstrips that are dedicated to helicopters or other vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) units. Therefore, this type of vessels should have navigation systems that provide process automation of take-off and landing for these flying units. Currently, the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) is used for this purpose. The accuracy of the positioning based on GNSS may prove to be insufficient during automatic landing approach of unmanned aerial vehicles. In the military operation area, GNSS signals may be jamming or spoofing. Additionally, it may be limiting visibility related to smoke screens or natural factors, e.g. fog. Thus, there is a need for a dedicated radio navigation systems. This paper presents a concept of the local navigation system (LNS) that based on the signal Doppler frequency (SDF) location method. LNS allows positioning of the landing VTOL with high precision. The accuracy of VTOL positioning in LNS is shown on the basis of two scenarios of simulation studies.
A parallel algorithm for large-scale dynamic optimization

In nowadays’ market conditions in the chemical industry, multi-product facilities, either multi-purpose batch processes or continuous processes operated in production campaigns, become more and more common. Hence, the operation of these processes does not only require optimal stationary but also optimal dynamic modes of operation. Dynamic optimization is considered a powerful tool to determine optimal control trajectories. However, the application of this method is bothered by the very high computational times in case of considering realistic models of complete chemical plants. Therefore, besides continuing algorithmic improvement, parallel computing strategies have to be exploited. Such parallelization strategies are presented in this contribution. Three examples of very different problem sizes are discussed. The speedup for the largest example even obtains a value close to the theoretical limit of the parallelization approach.
The Vanishing Hand: The Changing Dynamics of Industrial Capitalism

Alfred Chandler's portrayal of the managerial revolution of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries does not extend well into the late twentieth century, when widespread vertical disintegration began replacing the classical multi-unit managerial enterprise. This paper attempts to explain the new economy in a manner consistent with Chandler by providing an enlarged theoretical account of industrial evolution. In this account, clusters of Chandlerian firms appeared as a temporary episode within a larger Smithian process of the division of labor. Copyright 2003, Oxford University Press.
Influence of trainee participation on operative times for adult and pediatric cochlear implantation

Abstract Objective Few studies have examined operative times for cochlear implantation (CI) using multivariable linear regression analyses to identify predictors of case length. Herein, we assess whether trainee participation, among other factors, influences operating room (OR) times. Methods We retrospectively reviewed total OR and procedural times for isolated unilateral implants over a 5-year period (2009–2013) in children and adults. Total operating and procedural times were compared. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify predictors of procedural time. Results We identified a total of 455 unilateral CI procedures (n = 35 pediatric, n = 420 adult). Mean total OR time was 193.6 minutes (SD = 58.9 minutes) and mean procedural time was 147.1 minutes (SD = 56.2). The presence of trainees was associated with a significant difference in procedure time: 149.9 minutes (SD = 54.9) with trainees versus 136.6 minutes (SD = 59.9) without trainees, P = 0.0375. Trainee involvement did not significantly increase total OR time: 196.3 minutes (SD = 56.9) with trainees versus 183.8 minutes (SD = 65.0) without trainees, P = 0.0653. Surgeon identity was also associated with differences in procedural time (P < 0.001). Patient age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and pediatric designation had no significant impact on length of case. Conclusions Major predictors of longer procedural OR times for CI are surgeon identity and trainee participation. Few published data exist on length of CI in an academic setting using multivariable linear regression analyses. Our data may be instructive for comparative analyses and have implications for operative planning and surgical education.
Antiretroviral nucleoside and nucleotide analogues and mitochondria.

Mitochondria are the key organelles in energy production in all human cells except erythrocytes. Energy, in the form of ATP, is produced through the highly efficient oxidative phosphorylation pathway. Additionally, mitochondria perform a range of other biological functions and carry a number of factors involved in cell apoptosis. Both HIV infection and antiretroviral nucleoside analogues (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors; NRTI) are known to affect mitochondrial DNA content and other aspects of mitochondrial function. A number of important clinical events occurring in individuals with HIV infection and on antiretroviral therapy have been linked to mitochondrial injury and dysfunction. In vitro studies have demonstrated that NRTI may differ in their effects on mitochondria and may affect mitochondria in different cell lines in different ways. This is likely to influence the clinical syndromes associated with toxicity to these agents. Dideoxy-NRTI have the greatest affinity for mitochondrial DNA polymerase-a, the enzyme responsible for mitochondrial DNA replication, whereas other nucleoside analogues may influence mitochondrial function also through other mechanisms. These differences may be important in choosing techniques to evaluate the impact of antiretroviral agents on mitochondria.
Anticoagulation Patient Self‐Monitoring in the United States: Considerations for Clinical Practice Adoption

Systematic management models such as anticoagulation clinics have emerged in order to optimize warfarin effectiveness and to minimize related complications. Most of these models are structured so that patients come to a clinic for in‐person testing and evaluation, thus making this model of care difficult to access and time consuming for many patients. The emergence of portable instruments for measuring anticoagulant effect in capillary whole blood made it possible for patients receiving warfarin to self‐monitor the effect of their anticoagulant therapy. Self‐monitoring empowers patients, offers the advantage of more frequent monitoring, and increases patient convenience by allowing testing at home and avoiding the need for frequent laboratory and clinic visits. Self‐monitoring can entail patient self‐testing (PST) and/or patient self‐management (PSM). Several studies have evaluated and shown the benefit of both PST and PSM models of care when compared with either routine medical care or anticoagulation clinic management of anticoagulation therapy. Self‐monitoring (PSM and/or PST) of anticoagulation results in lower thromboembolic events, lower mortality, and no increase in major bleeding when compared with standard care. Despite favorable results and enhanced patient convenience, the adoption of self‐monitoring into clinical practice in the United States has been limited, especially in higher risk, disadvantaged populations. Although the emergence of a multitude of novel oral anticoagulants will permit clinicians to better individualize anticoagulant therapy options by choosing the optimum regimen based on individual patient characteristics, it is also expected that traditional agents will continue to play a role in a significant subset of patients. For those patients treated with traditional anticoagulants such as warfarin, future models of care will entail patient‐centered management such as PST and PSM. The incorporation of technology (i.e., Web‐based expert systems) is expected to further improve the outcomes realized by PST and PSM. Further studies are needed to explore factors that influence the adoption of self‐monitoring in the United States and to evaluate the feasibility and implementation in real‐life clinical settings.
Lycopene reduces the negative effects induced by lipopolysaccharide in breeding hens

Abstract 1. This study assessed the effects of lycopene on the antioxidant capacity, biochemical parameters, and immune organ index of breeding hens following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. 2. The study had a 2 × 2 factorial design. Healthy Xing-hua breeding hens (720) were divided into groups with 6 replicates per group and 30 hens per replicate. Hens were fed on a rice-soya bean basal meal supplemented with different levels of lycopene (0, 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg diet). On d 35, two hens from each replicate were injected subcutaneously with 1 mg/kg body weight of either LPS or sterile saline (control group). Blood samples were collected at 0, 6, and 24 h post-injection. At 24 h post-injection, hens were sacrificed and the thymus, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius were removed. 3. The results revealed that LPS significantly decreased high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triidothyronine (T3), reduced glutathione to oxidised glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG), thymus and bursal indexes, and increased low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC). Lycopene supplementation significantly increased HDLC, T3, GSH/GSSG, and immune organ index, and decreased total cholesterol, LDLC, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The interaction effects of lycopene and LPS were significant on BUN and T3. 4. Lycopene supplementation affected inflammatory immune response based on increased immune organ index of breeding hens by relieving the LPS-induced stress.
A paediatric telecardiology service for district hospitals in south-east England: an observational study

Objectives: To compare caseloads of new patients assessed by paediatric cardiologists face-to-face or during teleconferences, and assess NHS costs for the alternative referral arrangements. Design: Prospective cohort study over 15 months. Setting: Four district hospitals in south-east England and a London paediatric cardiology centre. Patients: Babies and children. Intervention: A telecardiology service introduced alongside outreach clinics. Measurements: Clinical outcomes and mean NHS costs per patient. Results: 266 new patients were studied: 75 had teleconsultations (19 of 42 newborns and 56 of 224 infants and children). Teleconsultation patients generally were younger (49% being under 1 year compared with 32% seen personally (p = 0.025)) and their symptoms were not as severe. A cardiac intervention was undertaken immediately or planned for five telemedicine patients (7%) and 30 conventional patients (16%). However, similar proportions of patients were discharged after being assessed (32% telemedicine and 39% conventional). During scheduled teleconferences the mean duration of time per patient in sessions involving real-time echocardiography was 14.4 min, and 8.5 min in sessions where pre-recorded videos were transmitted. Mean cost comparisons for telemedicine and face-to-face patients over 14-day and 6-month follow-up showed the telecardiology service to be cost neutral for the three hospitals with infrequently-held outreach clinics (£1519 vs £1724 respectively after 14 days). Conclusion: Paediatric cardiology centres with small cadres of specialists are under pressure to cope with ever-expanding caseloads of new patients with suspected anomalies. Innovative use of telecardiology alongside conventional outreach services should suitably, and economically, enhance access to these specialists.
Analysis and compensation of modeling error for synchronized bilateral teleoperation

Bilateral teleoperation realizes tactile sensation transmission between distant places by realizing two control goals, which are synchronization of position response and the realization of the law of action and reaction. However, a communication delay between the systems deteriorates control performance of the whole system. Bilateral teleoperation that achieves simultaneity property, which is one of the control goals in bilateral control, was proposed by the authors. The system realizes to independently control position and force responses, which was not achieved in the conventional methods, by using a model of a delay time to buffer the force information. However, it is well known that delay time varies in network systems. Therefore, in this paper, control performance of the system in front of modeling error is analyzed and the effect caused by the error is compensated by using a phase-lead compensator. The compensation controller is designed to have enough phase margin and better position tracking performance. The validity of the proposed method is confirmed through experiments.