Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased Respiratory Modulation of Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients

Objective Although the important role of respiratory modulation of the cardiovascular system in the development of hypertension has been demonstrated in animal studies, little research has assessed this modulation in essential hypertensive patients. We aimed to explore whether respiratory-related variations in cardiovascular variables are changed in hypertensive patients and their potential relationships with the respiratory pattern. Methods Respiration, ECG, and beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) were simultaneously measured in 46 participants (24 hypertensive patients and 22 normotensive participants) during rest and a mental arithmetic task (MAT). Respiratory-triggered averaging and orthogonal subspace projection methods were used to assess the respiratory modulations of BP and heart rate (HR). Respiratory parameters including inspiratory time, expiratory time, respiratory rate and their variabilities were also characterized. Results The inspiratory time, expiratory time, respiratory rate and their variabilities were not different between hypertensive and normotensives. Additionally, the modulation of HR by respiration was also similar between the two groups. Hypertensive patients exhibited an amplified respiratory modulation of systolic BP (SBP), as assessed from the amplitude of respiratory-related changes and the percentage of the power of respiratory-related variation, and also reflected from the temporal pattern of respiratory modulation of SBP. The exaggerated respiratory-related variation of SBP in hypertensive patients accounted for ≈23% of the total power of SBP, producing an absolute change of ≈4.5 mmHg in SBP. MAT was characterized by decreased inspiratory time and increased variabilities of expiratory time and respiratory rate with no changes in the amplitude of respiratory modulations. Conclusion Hypertensive patients had excessive respiratory modulation of SBP, despite having similar respiratory pattern with normotensives. These findings highlight the importance of respiratory influence in BP variation and suggest that respiratory modulation of SBP may have prognostic information for cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients.
Impaired Motor Learning Following a Pain Episode in Intact Rats

Motor learning and pain are important factors influencing rehabilitation. Despite being mostly studied independently from each other, important interactions exist between them in the context of spinal cord injury, whether to the spinal cord or the body. Ongoing or recent past episodes of nociceptive activity can prevent motor learning in spinalized rats. In intact animals, it has been proposed that supraspinal activity could counter the repressive effect of nociception on motor system plasticity, but this has not yet been verified in behavioral conditions. The aim of this study was to test whether a recent episode of nociception affects subsequent motor learning in intact animals. We trained rodents to walk on a custom-made horizontal ladder. After initial training, the rats underwent a week-long rest, during which they were randomly assigned to a control group, or one out of two pain conditions. Nociceptive stimuli of different durations were induced through capsaicin or Complete Freund's Adjuvant injections and timed so that the mechanical hypersensitivity had entirely subsided by the end of the resting period. Training then resumed on a modified version of the horizontal ladder. We evaluated the animals' ability to adapt to the modified task by measuring their transit time and paw misplacements over 4 days. Our results show that prior pain episodes do affect motor learning in neurologically intact rats. Motor learning deficits also seem to be influenced by the duration of the pain episode. Rats receiving a subcutaneous injection of capsaicin displayed immediate signs of mechanical hypersensitivity, which subsided rapidly. Nonetheless, they still showed learning deficits 24 h after injection. Rats who received a Complete Freund's Adjuvant injection displayed mechanical hypersensitivity for up to 7 days during the resting period. When trained on the modified ladder task upon returning to normal sensitivity levels, these rats exhibited more prolonged motor learning deficits, extending over 3 days. Our results suggest that prior pain episodes can negatively influence motor learning, and that the duration of the impairment relates to the duration of the pain episode. Our results highlight the importance of addressing pain together with motor training after injury.
de Measuring non-equilibrium dynamics in complex solids with ultrashort X-ray pulses

Strong interactions between electrons give rise to the complexity of quantum materials, which exhibit exotic functional properties and extreme susceptibility to external perturbations. A growing research trend involves the study of these materials away from equilibrium, especially in cases in which the stimulation with optical pulses can coherently enhance cooperative orders. Time-resolved X-ray probes are integral to this type of research, as they can be used to track atomic and electronic structures as they evolve on ultrafast timescales. Here, we review a series of recent experiments where femtosecond X-ray diffraction was used to measure dynamics of complex solids. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Measurement of ultrafast electronic and structural dynamics with X-rays’.
Using Mobile Eye Tracking Technique in Micro-teaching Practices of Pre-service Teachers

Various techniques have been utilized to improve classroom management skills of prospective teachers. In recent years, the use of technology in such practices has become widespread. As a matter of fact, teacher trainers and pre-service teachers are known as to be willing to use increasing technological facilities in teacher training (Rienties, Brouwer, & Lygo-Baker 2013). Among them, the eye tracking technique is making its way into the field. In the literature, the eye tracking method studies on experienced and novice individuals in such fields as human-computer interaction (Eghbal-Azar & Widlok, 2013), taxi driving (Borowsky, Oron-Gilad, & Parmet, 2010), air traffic controlling (Hauland, 2003) and monitoring human health in real life conditions (Vidal, Turner, Bulling, & Gellersen, 2012) are available. This method is mostly applied by employing fixed stimulants (text, images, animation and video etc.) (Rayner, Williams, Cave, & Well, 2007; Reichle, 2006; van den Bogert, van Bruggen, Kostons, & Jochems, 2014). Having been practiced actively in diverse fields, the eye tracking technique is used as a method in educational research agenda, as well. For instance, Paulson, Alexander, & Armstrong (2007) used the eye tracking machine for peer review processes while Law, Atkins, Kirkpatrick & Lomax (2004) used it for surgical education. Besides, in the educational context, the eye tracking technique is used for such issues as what learners are focusing on during a class (Rosengrant, Hearrington, Alvarado & Keeble, 2012), social interaction (Ye, Fathi, Han, Rozga, Abowd, & Rehg, 2012) and instructional design (Yang, Chang, Chien, Chien, & Tseng, 2013).
BEHAVIOUR OF UNPROTECTED AND PROTECTED CELLULAR BEAMS HAVING DIFFERENT OPENING SHAPES IN FIRE CONDITIONS

This paper describes an experimental study at elevated temperatures on the behaviour of fullscale composite floor unprotected and protected cellular steel beams with intumescent coating having different size and openings shape. In fire, the temperature distribution across a composite member is non-uniform, since the web and bottom flange have thin cross-sections and a greater exposed perimeter than the top flange. The deterioration of the material properties of the web will therefore become an important effect on the overall performance of the member in the event of fire. Fire resistance and protection of cellular beams has been very controversial concerning their behavior in elevated temperatures, the fire protection material and the required thickness. Two failure temperatures were observed in the fire tests indicated that beam with circular opening failed by web post buckling and beams with elongated openings failed by Vierendeel bending associated with the buckling of the web posts of the steel section. The comparison between the experimental, Euro code approach and the finite element prediction are quite good in terms of temperatures time deflection behaviour.
Validation and Routine Application of a Versatile Bioassay for Quantification of Ertapenem Sodium Tahisa

An effective therapeutic agent is essential for the control of many infectious diseases which can predict for the present time social and economic high costs. Ertapenem sodium (ERTM) is a synthetic antimicrobial agent of the class of carbapenems that have action against Gram-negative, Gram-positive, aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. The lack of new effective antibiotics against multidrug-resistant pathogens is a constant concern. The progress of resistance to carbapenems is an alarming problem, since those are considered one of the most important drugs for the treatment of severe infections caused by enterobacteria. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the changes in the pharmacological profile of carbapenems. Microbiological methods are required for an antimicrobial effectiveness evaluation. In turbidimetric assay, the potency of a drug is determined by measuring the turbidity (absorbance), caused by the inhibition of microorganisms. This study presents an efficient, accurate, reproducible, low cost and microbiological assay which is highly relevant in the pharmaceutical industry to quantify ertapenem sodium. For performing the method, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 26923) was used as the test microorganism and the culture medium chosen was the Brain Heart Infusion broth as the BHI. Validation parameters were in accordance with the specifications of ICH and demonstrated accuracy, precision, selectivity and robustness, with linear tracks 12.80; 16.00 and 20.00 μg mL-1. The turbidimetric assay is more versatile, faster and easier to apply than agar diffusion one. The method is simple and can be used in routine analysis of quality control of ertapenem sodium in the pharmaceutical industry.
Nanoparticles as curing and adhesive aid for biobased and petrobased polybenzoxazines

Alumina nanoparticles were incorporated in blends of benzoxazine monomers synthesized from bioand petrobased phenols, cardanol and bisphenol A, respectively, by way of a one-pot solventless methodology. The structures of the monomers were characterized by proton (H) nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Thermal characterization was performed using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The size of bare alumina nanoparticles and those in the polymer nanocomposite was analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction. Blending of alumina particles resulted in lowering of curing temperature of benzoxazine monomer. The effect of nanoparticle incorporation was reflected in the curing behavior and adhesive properties. The adhesive strength is found to be dependent on whether solution or solventless processing is used and on the weight percent of the nanoparticles in the monomer blend. The replacement of 75% bisphenol A content with cardanol in the benzoxazine resulted in a copolymer which showed a better or comparable adhesive strength. The adhesion was found to improve further with the incorporation of alumina nanoparticles. The lower viscosity of cardanol-based benzoxazine allowed both solventless synthesis and application of monomers, which is a way forward toward greener chemistry and low volatile organic compound processing strategies.
Chapter 2 GPI-Anchored Proteins in Health and Disease

Many proteins are associated with cell membranes via stretches of transmembrane spanning hydrophobic amino acids; however, other forms of membrane anchorage exist. Of these, one of the best characterised examples is a glycolipid structure which is covalently attached to the C-terminus of many proteins, known as a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. This moiety allows the attached protein to anchor to the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. GPI-anchored proteins are produced by most eukaryotic cells, ranging in complexity from protozoa through to vertebrates, and perform a diverse set of functions including roles in signal transduction, cell adhesion and antigen presentation (McConville and Ferguson 1993; Paulick and Bertozzi 2008). The importance of GPI-anchored proteins is evidenced by the embryonic lethality of GPI-deficient mice (Nozaki et al. 1999). In addition to their normal physiological functions, GPI-anchored proteins are also associated with a range of diseases. For example, variant surface glycoprotein (VSG), a GPI-anchored protein from Trypanosoma brucei, is involved in the pathobiology of the parasite by forming a protective coating around it (Ferguson 1999). Moreover, reduced expression of GPI-anchored proteins in hematopoietic stem cells is associated with the human disease paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (Brodsky 2006). Perhaps the most notorious of the GPI-anchored proteins is the prion protein (PrP), which is the causative agent of the prion diseases including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans and bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle (Prusiner 1998).
Interaction between salinity and crop cycle: effect on yield and quality of lettuce.

Large sectors of the current population now live in areas in which rainfall is already inadequate to support the food crops they need and consequently they depend upon irrigation. Demand for water already exceeds the renewable supply of freshwater given the geographic and temporal patchiness of both demand and supply. Irrigation demand is often met with poor quality water containing dissolved salts which can then accumulate in the soil.
Simplified Models for Frequency Studies in Electrical Power Systems

The primary frequency control is tested using specialised dynamic simulation software. Three approaches are developed and compared to assess the accuracy of the simplified model against the detailed one. The reasons for the differences are identified and analysed using the results of simulations in two testbed systems of 5 and 12 buses. DIgSilent PowerFactory and Python are used to simulate the behaviour of each approach. The power losses are detected as the main reason for the differences between the simple model and the detailed one.
A Full-Band Multi-Standard Global Analog & Digital Car Radio SoC with a Single Fixed-Frequency PLL

This paper presents a wideband car radio SoC for global multi-standard and multi-channel analog and digital broadcast radio. One of the major challenges of a wideband receiver is that the RF circuits and A/D converters need to have very high in-band IIP3 while the receiver NF should be low. These IIP3 and NF requirements are difficult to meet simultaneously. Key techniques to achieve low noise and very high linearity are high gain-bandwidth multi-inverter-based amplifiers supplied by PVT-tracking low-ohmic low dropout regulators, very linear high-speed 1-bit ΔΣ ADCs and a mixerless wideband AM front-end architecture. In FM mode the measured in-band IIP3 is 17.5dBm at a NF of 6dB. At maximum gain the NF is 4.1dB in DAB mode.
Issues and Challenges of Steady-State Fault Calculation Methods in Power Systems With a High Penetration of Non-Synchronous Generation

This paper investigates the performance of steady-state fault calculation (SSFC) methods in power systems with a high penetration of non-synchronous generation (NSG), i.e. generation connected to the grid over fully rated converter (FRC) technologies. The chosen SSFC methods include: i) equivalent voltage source, and ii) complete (superposition). In particular, the performance of the up-to-date IEC60909 standard, which belongs to the former SSFC method, and the complete method are studied here using modified single machine-infinite bus test system including NSG utilizing FRC in DIgSILENT PowerFactory. The estimated fault currents from these methods are compared with those calculated using dynamic simulations in response to different voltage dip levels resulting from faults at different locations. This allowed us to identify issues and challenges of the existing SSFC methods planned to be applied for future networks with a high penetration of NSG utilizing FRC. Our findings are confirmed using the IEEE 9-bus test system.
Analysis of Synoptic Processes in The Atmosphere Using Information from Doppler Weather Radar

The report considers the possibility of analyzing the current synoptic situation using information from Doppler meteorological radars - maps of the radial component of the Doppler velocity of meteorological targets. The use of this experience in the operational and prognostic units of Roshydromet is expected to improve the quality and reliability of short-term weather forecasts.
A Long-term Reactive Power Planning Framework for Transmission Grids with High Shares of Variable Renewable Generation

The focus of this paper is how to account for the impacts of high shares of variable renewable energy sources such as wind farms and solar PVs on transmission grid steady-state operation in long-term planning of reactive power resources. The increased variability of nodal voltages due to the volatility of such sources will require adequate reactive support capability at the point of connection to the grid as well as throughout the grid if traditional reactive power supplies, i.e. conventional generation, are not available either because they are not dispatched at moments of high availability of wind and solar or they are already decommissioned. An optimization-based approach is proposed, namely a multi-period, multi-scenario corrective security-constrained optimal power flow, to identify the optimal size and location of reactive power sources for long-term planning in scenarios with increasing penetration of variable renewable sources. The proposed reactive power planning formulation optimizes the reactive power investments, considering different energy scenarios (multi-scenario) in a given planning horizon in discrete time steps (multi-period). The proposed formulation is demonstrated on a modified IEEE 14-bus system.
Impressive response to nivolumab of non‐small‐cell lung cancer containing sarcomatoid components

We present two cases of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma (PPC) treated with Nivolumab. A 57‐year‐old man presented with a 3.5‐cm mass in the left lower lobe. Left lower lobectomy and lymph node dissection were performed. Histological diagnosis was stage IIIA (pT2bN2M0) PPC. The tumour relapsed two months later and he was treated with carboplatin and paclitaxel, but his condition became progressive and nonresponsive after one cycle. We used nivolumab as second line. Repeat chest X‐ray showed impressive reduction of relapse lesions seven days after the start of nivolumab therapy. Our second case is a 50‐year‐old man who presented with a 3.7‐cm mass in the right lower lobe and submucosal tumour in the colon. Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration biopsy (EBUS‐TBNA) and colon biopsy yield the diagnosis of PPC and metastatic colon cancer. He was treated with cisplatin plus pemetrexed. His disease proved resistant and we used nivolumab as second line. He showed partial response following four cycles.
System value for wind farms providing frequency services under different control frameworks

The rapid integration of renewable sources increases the system requirements for various ancillary services. Hence, many generation/demand assets, including renewable sources, are required to actively support the power system operation and security. In particular, with respect to frequency control, wind power curtailment is being replaced by proper strategies enabling wind participation in this task. In this paper, a unit commitment problem with inertia-dependent frequency constraints is proposed, with the inclusion of different schemes for wind contribution to frequency response: a de-loading control scheme and the deployment of frequency service through the kinetic energy stored on the wind turbines’ rotors. The proposed procedure is applied to a future low-carbon Great Britain system scenario to quantify the effectiveness of the different wind regulation schemes.
Birth Order and Human Capital Development: Evidence from Ecuador

In this paper we examine the effect of birth order on human capital development in Ecuador. Using family fixed effects models we find positive and persistent birth order effects; earlier-born children stay behind in their human capital development from infancy to adolescence. Turning to potential mechanisms, we find that earlier-born children receive less quality time from their mothers. Additionally, they are breastfed shorter. Poverty plays a key role in explaining these birth order patterns; we observe the largest birth order effects in poor and low-educated families, accompanied with reversed birth order effects in rich and high-educated families.
A SURVEY ON THE EFFECTS OF CAPITAL BUDGETING AND COST OF CAPITAL ON THE CAPITAL STRUCTURE ( CASE STUDY : FIRMS ACCEPTED IN TEHRAN STOCK EXCHANGE )

The aim of this study is to analyz the effects of capital budgeting and capital costs on the capital structure of firms accepted in Tehran stock exchange. The statical population of this research is covering a firms accepted in Tehran stock exchange from 2008 to 2014. By using a random sampling methods, 110 firms were selected for this study. The research is correlation semi-experimental in nature and content and multi-variable regression method with a 95% degree of certainty was used to analyze the results. The results show that investment budgeting can affect the capital structure more than investment costs.
Comparison of two schemes for closed-loop decentralized frequency control and overload alleviation

The paper compares two methodologies for distributed closed-loop feedback control that, based on local measurements of power flows and frequency, minimize the redispatch needed to restore the nominal frequency, relieve line overloads and restore inter-area flows following a disturbance. The first, called Disturbance-Based Unified Control (DBUC), derives control by estimating the disturbance from measurements. The second, called Unified Control (UC), exploits network dynamics to carry out primal-dual algorithm for solving the optimization problem. We analyze a modification of UC called Decoupled Unified Control (DUC) to show that DUC algorithm is very similar to DBUC, despite using very different approaches to derive them, leading to almost identical transients as shown by simulation studies undertaken on 39-bus New England system model and comparing DBUC/DUC with standard AGC.