Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combination between adaptive SMO and DWT-based an adjusted EDCV signal for robust SOC estimation in battery pack applications

This research elaborately investigates an innovative work for high-accuracy SOC estimation using an adjusted experimental discharging/charging voltage (EDCV) signal of series/parallel-cell configured battery pack through combination between adaptive sliding-mode observer (SMO) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The steps for robust SOC estimation in the proposed approach as follows. First, after discharging/charging of the battery pack, an obtained EDCV signal is decomposed into different frequency sub-bands (low-and high-frequency components, An and Dn) using the DWT-based multi-resolution analysis (MRA) method. Second, a low frequency component An is specifically served as a terminal voltage and sent to the equivalent circuit model (ECM)-based SMO for obtaining SOC information. The ECM of the battery pack previously constructed by discrimination process that selects unit cells with similar electrochemical characteristics is well considered. Finally, the SOC performance is compared with that of Ampere-hour counting for validation of this proposed work. Experimental results clearly show that this approach sufficiently enables us to provide a reliable SOC estimation whole discharging/charging period using only fundamental ECM without additional consideration such as internal state variation and noise model for compensating the ECM errors. This approach used two experimental packs of 6S1P and 8S2P that respectively connected in series and in series/parallel using 2.2Ah unit cells discriminated in advance.
Fibrinogen enhances the inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages to TiO2, SiO2 and carbon nanomaterials

Abstract Many studies have shown that the composition of the protein corona dramatically affects the response of cells to nanomaterials (NMs). However, the role of each single protein is still largely unknown. Fibrinogen (FG), one of the most abundant plasma proteins, is believed to mediate foreign-body reactions. Since this protein is absent in cell media used in in vitro toxicological tests the possible FG-mediated effects have not yet been assessed. Here, the effect of FG on the toxicity of three different kinds of inorganic NMs (carbon, SiO2 and TiO2) on alveolar macrophages has been investigated. A set of integrated techniques (UV–vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) have been used to study the strength and the kinetics of interaction of FG with the NMs. The inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages (MH-S) exposed to the three NMs associated with FG has also been investigated. We found that FG significantly enhances the cytotoxicity (lactate dehydrogenase leakage) and the inflammatory response (increase in nitric oxide (NO) concentration and NO synthase activation) induced by SiO2, carbon and TiO2 NMs on alveolar macrophages. This effect appears related to the amount of FG interacting with the NMs. In the case of carbon NMs, the activation of fibrinolysis, likely related to the exposure of cryptic sites of FG, was also observed after 24 h. These findings underline the critical role played by FG in the toxic response to NMs.
POTASSIUM‐LOSING NEPHROPATHY OF CHILDHOOD

The cases are discussed of three children in two families, all with chronic hypokalæmia resulting from a potassium‐losing nephropathy. All are normotensive. One child presented with failure to thrive and a vasopressin‐resistant urinary concentration defect, and presents the clinical and pathological features of Bartter's syndrome. The other two children are healthy siblings, one of whom presented with recurrent tetany and was found to have low serum potassium and magnesium concentrations, whilst her brother is asymptomatic. These latter children do not appear to have over‐activity of the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system despite a moderately raised plasma renin level. There are marked differences between the first patient and the other two, at the clinical level, on renal biopsy and with regard to the effects of sodium and potassium loading on plasma renin concentration and urinary aldosterone excretion. The second patient's response to spironolactone, despite normal urinary aldosterone excretion, suggests either an enhanced sensitivity to aldosterone or the over‐production of some other substance with mineralocorticoid activity.
Modulation of lipid metabolism and vitamin A by conjugated linoleic acid.

The term conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a collection of positional and geometrical isomers of octadeca- dienoic acid with conjugated double bonds. CLA has been shown to possess several beneficial activities in different experimental models, however, out of 28 isomers only two, c9, t11 and t10, c12 have been thus far demonstrated to be biologically active. The discovery that it can be elongated and desaturated as a regular fatty acid in human and animal tissues brought a new possibility that its activity may be related to its properties as a peculiar unsaturated fatty acid. In fact, CLA is able to be incorporated in lipid classes as oleic acid, accumulating in those tissues rich in neutral lipids; to be metabolized as linoleic acid and so influencing linoleic acid desaturation and elongation; and to be beta oxidized in peroxisomes which may account for, through activation of PPARs, its ability to increase free retinol levels and influence gene expression. These activities are amplified where CLA accumulates more such as mammary and adipose tissues and may explain its peculiar beneficial properties, at relative low dietary concentrations, in these tissues. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that CLA can be endogenously formed by delta 9 desaturation of vaccenic acid (t11 18:1) thus forming the isomer c9, t11. Either endogenously formed or through dietary intake, CLA showed to be metabolized in the same way and to exert the same biological properties. We may conclude that a regular intake of CLA, or/and vaccenic acid as its precursor, should work as an excellent preventive agent by modulating lipid metabolism in target tissues thus conferring protection against the attack of insults of different type.
Results of extended surgery for cancer of the rectum and sigmoid

The clinical records of 61 patients who underwent extended surgery, including resection of parietes or other viscera, from 1965 to 1977 for cancer of the rectum and sigmoid were reviewed. Abdominoperineal resection was performed in 41 patients, anterior resection in 18 and Hartmann's resection in 2. The postoperative mortality rate was 8·2 per cent, the non‐lethal morbidity rate 30·3 per cent, but 4 patients presented multiple complications. The 5‐year survival rate was evaluated separately for patients with and without microscopic evidence of neoplastic involvement of the simultaneously excised structures; in the first group it was 32 per cent, in the second 75 per cent. Local or distant recurrence occurred in 66 per cent of patients with microscopic infiltration and in 24 per cent of patients without microscopic infiltration. These results compare favourably with those reported after ordinary resections of Dukes' C cancers of the rectum and sigmoid, and seem to justify the use of extended surgery when cancer of the rectum and sigmoid has invaded contiguous structures.
Improved polarization converter using symmetrical semi-ring slots

A symmetrical semi-ring polarization converter based on slotted frequency selective surface (SFSS) is presented in this paper. The proposed SFSS is a free metallic screen without supported media, and the corresponding formulas are provided to calculate its frequency response. Good agreements can be observed between the simulated and calculated results. The phase difference between TE and TM components can maintain at 90° over a wide frequency band. The insertion loss is -3.07dB and the 3dB axial ratio bandwidth is about 15% of the center frequency.
Let's talk in description logic via controlled natural language

In this paper, we will argue that a well-defined subset of English can be used to express the same kind of information as the description logic layer of the Web Ontology Language OWL DL. We will first show what kind of problems current notations for OWL have and then discuss how an OWL ontology can be constructed alternatively in a controlled natural language (CNL). In particular, we will present the details of a CNL which offers the same expressive power as OWL DL for describing the facts, axioms and restrictions which may occur in an OWL ontology. An ontology specification written in CNL can be unambiguously translated into OWL abstract syntax and vice versa with the help of a bi-directional grammar. The users of the CNL do not need to learn the rules of the language, since the writing process is supported by an intelligent authoring tool.
Reduction of IL-12 p40 Production in Activated Monocytes after Exposure to Diesel Exhaust Particles

Background: A reduction of IL-12 production by lung macrophages may partly explain the presumed adjuvant effect of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in allergy and asthma. IL-12 stimulates T helper type 1 (Th1) lymphocytes, which inhibit Th2 cells via Th1-specific cytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of DEP on the production of IL-12 p40 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated monocytes. Methods: The human monocytic cell line Mono-Mac-6 was stimulated with LPS (200 ng/ml) and grown with DEP (0–200 µg/ml) for 0, 6 or 24 h. IL-12 p40 and the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF were analysed in the cell supernatants by ELISA and a cell assay, respectively. Results: Levels of IL-12 p40 correlated inversely with the DEP exposure concentrations, whereas TNF increased in parallel to the DEP concentrations. At a DEP concentration of 200 µg/ml, the amount of IL-12 p40 was 35% of that observed without DEP. The corresponding TNF value was 230% of the control. Reduced viability, binding of cytokines to DEP or endotoxin in the DEP samples cannot fully explain the changes in the concentrations of these two cytokines. Conclusion: DEP seem to inhibit the production of IL-12 p40 and stimulate that of TNF in activated monocytes. This may partly explain the presumed adjuvant effect of DEP in atopy; by altering the Th1/Th2 balance via down-regulation of IL-12, the Th2 response characteristic of allergy and asthma may be favoured.
Stria vascularis of deaf Hedlung mink. Light and electron microscopic studies of vascular insufficiency.

The stria vascularis of deaf Hedlund mink is atrophic and its vascular supply is abnormally sluggish. Its vascular pattern is simpler than normal because many normal connecting vessels disappear during maturation. Ferritin particles provide a convenient means of studying vascular transport by electron microscopy. Injected ferritin does not enter strial vessels in Hedlund mink. Intravascular clotting and endothelial swelling were observed in these vessels.
VEGF modulates NMDA receptors activity in cerebellar granule cells through Src-family kinases before synapse formation

NMDA type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) are best known for their role in synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Much less is known about their developmental role before neurons form synapses. We report here that VEGF, which promotes migration of granule cells (GCs) during postnatal cerebellar development, enhances NMDAR-mediated currents and Ca2+ influx in immature GCs before synapse formation. The VEGF receptor Flk1 forms a complex with the NMDAR subunits NR1 and NR2B. In response to VEGF, the number of Flk1/NR2B coclusters on the cell surface increases. Stimulation of Flk1 by VEGF activates Src-family kinases, which increases tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2B. Inhibition of Src-family kinases abolishes the VEGF-dependent NR2B phosphorylation and amplification of NMDAR-mediated currents and Ca2+ influx in GCs. These findings identify VEGF as a modulator of NMDARs before synapse formation and highlight a link between an activity-independent neurovascular guidance cue (VEGF) and an activity-regulated neurotransmitter receptor (NMDAR).
STABILITY BY HOMOGENIZATION OF THERMOVISCOPLASTIC PROBLEMS

In this paper, we study the homogenization of the system of partial differential equations describing the quasistatic shearing of heterogeneous thermoviscoplastic materials. We first present the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the above system. We then define "stable by homogenization" models as the models where the equations in both the heterogeneous problems and the homogenized one are of the same form. Finally we show that the model with non-oscillating strain-rate sensitivity which is submitted to steady boundary shearing and body force, is stable by homogenization. In this model, the homogenized (effective) coefficients depend on the initial conditions and on the boundary shearing and body force. Those theoretical results are illustrated by one numerical example.
Defining and Delineating the Central Areas of Towns for Statistical Monitoring Using Continuous Surface Representations

In the UK, the increasing availability of very high spatial resolution data using the unit post code as its geo‐reference is making possible new kinds of urban analysis and modelling. However, at this resolution the granularity of the data used to represent urban functions makes it difficult to apply traditional analytical and modelling methods. An alternative suggested here is to use kernel density estimation to transform these data from point or area ‘objects’ into continuous surfaces of spatial densities. The use of this transformation is illustrated by a study in which we attempt to develop a robust, generally applicable methodology for identifying the central areas of UK towns for the purpose of statistical reporting and comparison. Continuous density transformations from unit post code data relating to a series of indicators of town centredness created using Arc/InfoTM are normalised and then summed to give a composite ‘Index of Town Centredness’. Selection of key contours on these index surfaces enables town centres to be delineated.
Ultrasonic telemetry of small-scale movements and microhabitat selection by molting blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus)

We have designed a new ultrasonic transmitter to track free-ranging premoIt blue crabs and signal the event of ecdysis. The transmitter (15 g in air, 5 g in water) operates for 6-8 weeks on a small lithium battery, producing 75-kHz tracking pulses at about I-sec intervals. It is attached to the crab's carapace, with a magnetic reed switch placed near the line where the carapace will separate from the abdomen as the molting crab backs out of its old shell. A magnet attached to the abdomen pulls away at ecdysis, signalling the event by allowing the switch to open and doubling the pulse rate of the transmitter. During field tests with II premolt male blue crabs in a small tributary of central Chesapeake Bay, the devices allowed us to assess movement patterns and selection of microhabitats for molting at scales of < I m. Even with this small sample size several trends were evident. Distance traveled per day (average 130 m, range 0-569 m) and movement patterns were highly variable in the days prior to molt. Crabs moved more during the day, and molted by day or night in roughly equal proportions. All crabs selected shallow «0.5 m) marsh-lined banks of a tidal creek for ecdysis. This study, the first in which arthropod molting has been telemetered in the field, provides a technique applicable to intraand interspecific comparisons with other large
How Much Do Common Imaging Studies Cost? A Nationwide Survey of Radiology Trainees.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to gauge the knowledge of radiology trainees regarding the costs of common imaging services and to assess their perceptions of current relevant education. SUBJECTS AND METHODS During mid-2014, an online survey of 5325 U.S. residents and fellows who were members of the American College of Radiology was conducted. Respondents were asked to provide information about year of training, relevant advanced degrees (e.g., Master of Business Administration or Master of Public Health), number of hours of formal education in health care economics provided annually by their training program, self-perception of knowledge of health care economics, and desire to learn more about the costs of imaging. Respondents were asked to estimate Medicare-allowable fees for five commonly performed imaging examinations: two-view chest radiography, contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis, unenhanced MRI of the lumbar spine, complete abdominal ultrasound, and unenhanced CT of the brain. Responses within ± 25% of published allowable amounts in the Medicare fee schedule were deemed correct. RESULTS A total of 1066 of 5325 trainees (20.0%) returned surveys that were sufficiently complete for analysis. Only 17.1% of all responses were correct; 65.3% of responses were overestimations of actual costs, and 17.6% were underestimations. Almost half of the trainees (45.1%) incorrectly estimated the cost of every examination. Overall, knowledge of costs of examinations did not improve with advancing years of training, hours of education in health care economics, or attainment of a relevant advanced degree. Only 9.3% of trainees considered their knowledge of imaging costs to be adequate. An overwhelming 89.7% of trainees desired more focused education. CONCLUSION Radiology trainees have limited knowledge of the costs of commonly performed imaging studies. Effective training program curricula currently appear to be lacking. Targeted education and integration of cost information into clinical decision support tools are probably warranted.
Pausanias : travel and memory in Roman Greece

Pausanias, the Greek historian and traveler, lived and wrote around the second century AD, during the period when Greece had fallen peacefully to the Roman Empire. While fragments from this period abound, Pausanias' Periegesis ("description") of Greece is the only fully preserved text of travel writing to have survived. This collection uses Pausanias as a multifaceted lens yielding indispensable information about the cultural world of Roman Greece.
Pennington Lecture Teams, strategies and networks: developments in nutritional support; a personal perspective

Chris Pennington was an archetypal team player, strategist and networker. Clinical nutritional support has progressed remarkably since the 1970s and it has been a privilege to work in this field over this period during which teamwork, strategy development and networking have been crucial. British experience has been characterised by groups of individuals of differing professions and specialties coming together to enable progress to be made. This approach was initially in the form of nutrition support teams orientated to patient-centred ward-based care, then as hospital strategic committees and the concept of the ‘patient journey’. Indeed, the formation of the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (now known as BAPEN) in 1992 required the statesmanlike burying of jealousies as societies came together into a multiprofessional association. With the understanding that disease-related malnutrition was highly prevalent it became apparent that it must be managed on a broad and organised clinical front. In the Organisation of Food and Nutritional Support in Hospitals a group of professionals developed for BAPEN concepts of hospital-wide organisation to tackle malnutrition that were based on previous reports, both national and international, and were made easily accessible from the BAPEN website, especially the ‘Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool’ and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence nutrition guidelines. The coming together of six national clinical societies to develop evidence-based consensus guidelines for intravenous saline therapy (also on the BAPEN website) has shown that BAPEN can catalyse opinion well beyond its own nutritional constituency. In England Chris Pennington's Scottish lead is being followed by developing a patient-centred strategic framework for a managed home parenteral nutrition and intestinal failure national network. In research, education or clinical practice the engines of progress have been teams, strategies and networks.
Game-Theoretic Optimal PowerLink Quality Topology Control in Wireless Sensor Networks

One of the most significant problems in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) deployment is the generation of topologies that maximize transmission reliability and guarantee network connectivity while also maximizing the network’s lifetime. Transmission power settings have a large impact on the aforementioned factors. Increasing transmission power to provide coverage is the intuitive solution yet with it may come with lower packet reception and shorter network lifetime. However, decreasing the transmission power may result in the network being disconnected. To balance these trade-offs we propose a discrete strategy game-theoretic solution, which we call TopGame that aims to maximize the reliability between nodes while using the most appropriate level of transmission power that guarantees connectivity. In this paper, we provide the conditions for the convergence of our algorithm to a pure Nash equilibrium as well as experimental results. Here we show, using the Indriya WSN testbed, that TopGame is more energy-efficient and approaches a similar packet reception ratio with the current closest state of the art protocol ART. Finally, we provide a methodology for further optimization of our work using an indicator function to distinguish between satisfactory and poor links.
Reversal of portal hypertension and hyperdynamic splanchnic circulation by combined vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet‐derived growth factor blockade in rats

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) pathways are crucial to angiogenesis, a process that contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of portal hypertension. This study determined the effects of inhibition of VEGF and/or PDGF signaling on hyperdynamic splanchnic circulation and portosystemic collateralization in rats with completely established portal hypertension, thus mimicking the situation in patients. Portal vein–ligated rats were treated with rapamycin (VEGF signaling inhibitor), Gleevec (PDGF signaling inhibitor), or both simultaneously when portal hypertension was already fully developed. Hemodynamic studies were performed by transit‐time flowmetry. The extent of portosystemic collaterals was measured by radioactive microspheres. The expression of angiogenesis mediators was determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Combined inhibition of VEGF and PDGF signaling significantly reduced splanchnic neovascularization (i.e., CD31 and VEGFR‐2 expression) and pericyte coverage of neovessels (that is, α‐smooth muscle actin and PDGFR‐β expression) and translated into hemodynamic effects as marked as a 40% decrease in portal pressure, a 30% decrease in superior mesenteric artery blood flow, and a 63% increase in superior mesenteric artery resistance, yielding a significant reversal of the hemodynamic changes provoked by portal hypertension in rats. Portosystemic collateralization was reduced as well. Conclusions: Our results provide new insights into how angiogenesis regulates portal hypertension by demonstrating that the maintenance of increased portal pressure, hyperkinetic circulation, splanchnic neovascularization, and portosystemic collateralization is regulated by VEGF and PDGF in portal hypertensive rats. Importantly, these findings also suggest that an extended antiangiogenic strategy (that is, targeting VEGF/endothelium and PDGF/pericytes) may be a novel approach to the treatment of portal hypertension. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)