Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bounds on the complex permittivity of sea ice

An analytic method for obtaining bounds on effective properties of composites is applied to the complex permittivity ∈* of sea ice. The sea ice is assumed to be a two-component random medium consisting of pure ice of permittivity ∈1 and brine of permittivity ∈2. The method exploits the properties of ∈* as an analytic function of the ratio ∈1/∈2. Two types of bounds on ∈* are obtained. The first bound R1 is a region in the complex ∈* plane which assumes only that the relative volume fractions p1 and p2 = 1 - p1 of the ice and brine are known. The region R1 is bounded by circular arcs and ∈* for any microgeometry with the given volume fractions must lie inside it. In addition to the volume fractions, the second bound R2 assumes that the sea ice is statistically isotropic within the horizontal plane. The region R2 is again bounded by circular arcs and lies inside R1. Built into the method is a systematic way of obtaining tighter bounds on ∈* by incorporating information about the correlation functions of the brine inclusions. The bounding method developed here, which does not assume any specific geometry for the brine inclusions, offers an alternative to the classical mixing formula approach adopted previously in the study of sea ice. In these mixing formulas, specific assumptions are made about the inclusion geometry, which are simply not satisfied by the sea ice under many conditions. The bounds R1 and R2 are compared with experimental data obtained from artificially grown sea ice at the frequencies 4.8 and 9.5 GHz. Excellent agreement with the data is achieved.
Resonant photoluminescence from Ge microdisks on Ge-on-insulator

Well-resolved resonant PL peaks were observed from microdisks fabricated on heavily n-doped GOI. FSR and Q-factor confirmed that these peaks corresponded to the WGMs of microdisk. Q-factors didn't decrease against pump power, indicating the onset of population inversion. Our results show that GOI is a promising platform to realize lasers.
Sustained Long-Term Antiviral Maintenance Therapy in HCV/HIV-Coinfected Patients (SLAM-C)

Background:Hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HIV coinfection treatment is suboptimal with low sustained viral response rates to standard therapies. A multicenter randomized clinical trial designed to assess the efficacy/safety of pegylated interferon maintenance therapy was performed by the National Institutes of Health-funded AIDS Clinical Trials Group network. Methods:HCV treatment-naive and nonresponding interferon-experienced subjects with confirmed HCV and HIV, CD4 >200 cells per cubic millimeter, and at least stage 1 fibrosis were enrolled and treated for 12 weeks with pegylated interferon alfa 2a 180 mcg per week (PEG) + weight-based ribavirin to determine response status. Nonresponder subjects (failure to clear HCV RNA or achieve 2-log drop) underwent liver biopsy and were randomized to receive full dose PEG or observation only for 72 weeks. Paired biopsies were evaluated by a central pathologist. Results:Three hundred thirty subjects were enrolled; median age was 48 years; 43% white, 37% black, non-Hispanic; 83% male; CD4+ 498 cells per cubic millimeter; 32% were interferon experienced; 74% had entry HIV RNA <50 copies per milliliter. early virologic responder was observed in 55.9% and 42.5% achieved complete Early Viral Response (cEVR). A planned interim analysis of occurred when 84 subjects were randomized. With data on 40 paired biopsies available, a safety monitoring board stopped the trial due to lack of fibrosis progression (median = 0 Metavir units/year) in the observation arm. Conclusions:Lack of fibrotic progression in the control arm was unexpected and may represent a short-term PEG/ribavirin therapy effect, high levels of HIV viral suppression, and use of antiretroviral regimens that may be less toxic than prior generations of therapy.
Hemoglobin encapsulated poly(ethylene glycol) surface conjugated vesicles attenuate vasoactivity of cell-free hemoglobin.

UNLABELLED Widespread clinical use of acellular hemoglobin (Hb)-based O2 carriers (HBOCs) has been hampered by their ability to elicit both vasoconstriction and systemic hypertension. This is primarily due to the ability of acellular Hb to extravasate through the blood vessel wall and scavenge endothelial-derived nitric oxide (NO). Encapsulation of Hb inside the aqueous core of liposomes retards the rates of NO dioxygenation and O2 release, which should reduce or eliminate the vasoactivity of Hb. Our aim is to determine the extent of systemic and microvascular vasoactive responses (hypertension, vasoconstriction and hypoperfusion) after infusion of vesicle encapsulated Hbs, in which the encapsulated Hb is in either the deoxygenated or carbon monoxide (CO) state (HbV and COHbV, respectively). To investigate this hypothesis, we used the hamster window chamber model subjected to two successive hypervolemic infusions of HbV and COHbV solutions (each infusion represents 10% of the animal's calculated blood volume) at Hb concentrations of either 7 or 10 g/dL. The hypervolemic infusion model used in this study has all the regulatory mechanisms responsible for predicting the vasoconstrictive responses of HBOCs. The results of this study demonstrate the absence of vasoconstrictive and hypertensive responses upon single and multiple infusions of HbV and COHbV solutions. The HbV and COHbV solutions increased the plasma O2 carrying capacity. However, COHbV delivered low therapeutic levels of CO without inducing any microcirculatory disturbances. SIGNIFICANCE Vesicles containing Hb can be used as a new therapeutic agent in transfusion medicine to treat anemia and revert hypoperfusion.
Placebo effect in surgery for Menière's disease. A double-blind placebo-controlled study on endolymphatic sac shunt surgery.

• To investigate the placebo effect in surgery for Meniere's disease, a double-blind controlled study was undertaken, comparing effects of a regular endolymphatic shunt with those of regular mastoidectomy. Thirty patients with typical Meniere's disease, selected because of unsuccessful medical treatment, participated. Patients completed daily dizziness questionnaires three months before and 12 months after surgery, with registration of nausea, vomiting, vertigo, tinnitus, hearing impairment, and pressure in the ears. Patients were operated on at two universities, and the patients operated on at one underwent controlled study each month at the other. At termination of the trial, both investigators and patients gave their opinions of the efficacy of the operations. Minor differences were seen between active and placebo groups, but the greatest difference in symptoms was found when preoperative and postoperative scores were compared: both groups improved significantly. ( Arch Otolaryngol 1981;107:271-277)
Graph Bisection Modeled as Cardinality Constrained Binary quadratic Task Allocation

In this paper, the cardinality constrained quadratic model for binary quadratic programming is used to model and solve the graph bisection problem as well as its generalization in the form of the task allocation problem with two processors (2-TAP). Balanced graph bisection is an NP-complete problem which partitions a set of nodes in the graph G = (N, E) into two sets with equal cardinality such that a minimal sum of edge weights exists between the nodes in the two separate sets. 2-TAP is graph bisection with the addition of node preference costs in the objective function. We transform the general linear k-TAP model to the cardinality constrained quadratic binary model so that it may be efficiently solved using tabu search with strategic oscillation. On a set of benchmark graph bisections, we improve the best known solution for several problems. Comparison results with the state-of-the-art graph partitioning program METIS, as well as Cplex and Gurobi are presented on a set of randomly generated graphs. This approach is shown to also work well with 2-TAP, comparing favorably to Cplex and Gurobi, providing better solutions in a much shorter time.
Mesenchymal stem cells regulate melanoma cancer cells extravasation to bone and liver at their perivascular niche

Skeleton and liver are preferred organs for cancer dissemination in metastatic melanoma negatively impacting quality of life, therapeutic success and overall survival rates. At the target organ, the local microenvironment and cell‐to‐cell interactions between invading and resident stromal cells constitute critical components during the establishment and progression of metastasis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess, in addition to their cell progenitor function, a secretory capacity based on cooperativity with other cell types in injury sites including primary tumors (PT). However, their role at the target organ microenvironment during cancer dissemination is not known. We report that local MSCs, acting as pericytes, regulate the extravasation of melanoma cancer cells (MCC) specifically to murine bone marrow (BM) and liver. Intra‐arterially injected wild‐type MCC fail to invade those selective organs in a genetic model of perturbed pericyte coverage of the vasculature (PDGF‐Bret/ret), similar to CD146‐deficient MCC injected into wild type mice. Invading MCC interact with resident MSCs/pericytes at the perivascular space through co‐expressed CD146 and Sdf‐1/CXCL12‐CXCR4 signaling. Implanted engineered bone structures with MSCs/pericytes deficient of either Sdf‐1/CXCL12 or CD146 become resistant to invasion by circulating MCC. Collectively, the presence of MSCs/pericytes surrounding the target organ vasculature is required for efficient melanoma metastasis to BM and liver.
Opposite effects of pH on open‐state probability and single channel conductance of Kir4.1 channels

1 A decrease in intracellular pH (pHi) inhibits whole‐cell Kir4.1 currents. To understand channel biophysical properties underlying this inhibition, single channel Kir4.1 currents were studied in inside‐out patches using symmetric concentrations of K+ applied to each side of the plasma membrane. Under such conditions, inward rectifying currents were observed in about 2 of 3 patches. At pH 7.4, these currents showed a single channel conductance of 22 pS with a channel open‐state probability (Popen) of ≈0.9. 2 The effects of intracellular protons on macroscopic Kir4.1 currents were examined in giant inside‐out patches at various pH levels of internal solutions. Current amplitude increased with a modest acidification (pH 7.0 and 6.6), and decreased with further reductions in pHi. The Kir4.1 currents were completely suppressed at pH 5.4. These effects were fast and reversible. 3 Low pHi inhibited Popen and enhanced single channel conductance in a concentration‐dependent manner with pK (midpoint pH value for channel inhibition) of 6.0 and 6.8, respectively. At pH 5.8, Popen was inhibited by 70 % and single channel conductance increased by 35 %. Washout brought both Popen and single channel conductance rapidly back to baseline levels. 4 Theoretical currents were calculated using percentage changes in Popen and single channel conductance at each pH level tested. The trajectory of these currents is very close to that of experimental currents recorded from giant patches. Thus, opposite effects of intracellular protons on Popen and single channel conductance are demonstrated, which are likely to result in changes of macroscopic Kir4.1 currents with low pH.
Analysis of GaN HEMTs Switching Transients Using Compact Model

This paper presents a methodology to model GaN power HEMT switching transients. Thus, a compact model to predict devices’ pulse switching characteristics and current collapse reliability issue has been developed. Parasitic RC subcircuits and a standard double-pulse switching tester to model intrinsic parasitic effects and to analyze power dissipation of GaN power HEMT are proposed and presented. Switching transient including gate-lag and drain-lag is predicted for ideal (without trap) and nonideal (with trap) devices. The results are validated by and compared to 2-D finite-element technology computer-aided design simulations. The original aim of this exercise is to develop a fast (near-real-time) model which can predict dynamic behavior of single and multiple power GaN HEMTs used for the switching transients of GaN power devices at circuit level.
Validation of ontology based test case generation for graphical user interface

Testing is an important phase during the development cycle of software. Generating test cases is an important activity during this phase. TCG for GUI is a least focused area and the techniques which are being used in Command Line Interface do not fit here. One of the means to formally represent knowledge is through ontology. It represents domain information as a set of concepts and relationship among them. Ontology based GUI testing is a new branch of testing. To validate the framework for generating test case based on ontology an experiment has been conducted.
Current and Potential Rodent Screens and Tests for Thyroid Toxicants

This article reviews current rodent screens and tests to detect thyroid toxicants. Many points of disruption for thyroid toxicants are outlined and include: (a) changes in serum hormone level; (b) thyroperoxidase inhibitors; (c) the perchlorate discharge test; (d) inhibitors of iodide uptake; (e) effects on iodothyronine deiodinases; (f) effects on thyroid hormone action; and (g) role of binding proteins (e.g., rodent transthyretin). The major thyroid endpoints currently utilized in existing in vivo assay protocols of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Japanese researchers, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include thyroid gland weight, histopathology, circulating thyroid hormone measurements, and circulating thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). These endpoints can be added into the existing in vivo assays for reproduction, development, and neurodevelopment that are outlined in this chapter. Strategic endpoints for possible addition to existing protocols to detect effects on developmental and adult thyroid endpoints are discussed. Many of these endpoints for detecting thyroid system disruption require development and additional research before they can be considered in existing assays. Examples of these endpoints under development include computer-assisted morphometry of the brain and evaluation of treatment-related changes in gene expression, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and TSH challenge tests, and tests to evaluate thyroid hormone (TH)-dependent developmental events, especially in the rodent brain (e.g., measures of cerebellar and cortical proliferation, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, planimetric measures and gene expression, and oligodendrocyte differentiation). Finally, TH-responsive genes and proteins as well as enzyme activities are being explored. Existing in vitro tests are also reviewed, for example, thyroid hormone (TH) metabolism, receptor binding, and receptor activation assays, and their restrictions are described. The in vivo assays are currently the most appropriate for understanding the potential effects of a thyroid toxicant on the thyroid system. The benefits and potential limitations of the current in vivo assays are listed, and a discussion of the rodent thyroid system in the context of human health is touched upon. Finally, the importance of understanding the relationship between timing of exposure, duration of dose, and time of acquisition of the endpoints in interpreting the results of the in vivo assays is emphasized.
Adding Underlay Aware Fault Tolerance to Hierarchical Event Broker Networks

Recent studies have shown that the quality of service of overlay topologies and routing algorithms for event broker networks can be improved by the use of underlying network information. Hierarchical topologies are widely used in recent event-based publish-subscribe systems for reduced message traffic. We hypothesize that the performance and fault tolerance of existing hierarchical topology based event broker networks can be improved by augmenting the construction of the overlay and subsequent routing with the underlay information. In this paper we present a linear time algorithm for constructing a fault tolerant overlay topology for event broker networks that can tolerate single node and link failures and improve the routing performance by balancing network load. We test the algorithm on the SIENA event based middleware which follows the hierarchical model for event brokers. We present simulation results that support the claim that the use of underlay information can significantly increase the robustness of the overlay topology and performance of the routing algorithm for hierarchical event broker networks.
Residual Correlation Regularization Based Image Denoising

Patch-based denoising algorithms aim to reconstruct the clean image patch leaving behind the residual as contaminating noise. The residual should possess statistical properties of contaminating noise. However, it is very likely that the residual patch contains remnants from the clean image patch. In this letter, we propose a new residual correlation based regularization for image denoising. The regularization can effectively render residual patches as uncorrelated as possible. It allows us to derive an analytical solution for sparse coding (atom selection and coefficient calculation). It also leads to a new online dictionary learning update. The clean image is obtained through alternating between the two stages of sparse coding and dictionary updating. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with state-of-the-art denoising algorithms in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), and feature similarity index (FSIM), as well as through visual comparison. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is highly competitive and often better than leading denoising algorithms. The proposed algorithm is also shown to offer an efficient complement to the benchmark algorithm of block-matching and 3D filtering (BM3D) especially.
Dual wound machines for electric ship power systems

Electric Ship Power Systems, with integrated ship service and propulsion segments, offer significant advantages to warship designers and particularly so in the context of high and directed energy weapon systems. Practical considerations lead to a mix of prime mover and generator sizes being used but straightforward inter-connection between them leaves each subsystem vulnerable to influences imposed by the other. The concept of tandem generators - either separate electrical machines, or tandem electrical machines in one frame - driven from one prime mover, attempts to square this circle by providing galvanic isolation between the two sub-systems whilst still feeding each from common prime movers. But the two machines are difficult to integrate closely, especially if both use optimal lengths and diameters. One solution is to use a dual wound machine whereby the windings of the two separate generators share the same slots. This paper considers such a dual wound machine from the perspective of its air gap flux density and considers how much electro-magnetic isolation between the two circuits will exist.
LIBOR as a Keynesian Beauty Contest: A Process of Endogenous Deception

Abstract This paper uses the Keynesian Beauty Contest as a theoretical framework to analyse the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) fixing mechanism, where the actual money market rate is seen as a fundamental value towards which the LIBOR should aim. By treating the LIBOR as the outcome of a particular kind of p-beauty contest game, in which players (LIBOR banks) are guided by higher order beliefs, a process is created whereby they are not solely dependent on their own incentives and constraints. Instead, potential deception is generated endogenously though the fixing process itself, resulting in systematic deviations of the LIBOR from its fundamental value.
Chronic lung disease in old dogs and cats

Chronic bronchial disease constitutes a significant, yet underdiagnosed, cause of both chronic cough and episodic and acute-onset respiratory distress in mature dogs and cats. Untreated chronic bronchial disease is a debilitating, progressive respiratory syndrome that results in decreased exercise tolerance, inactivity, paroxysmal respiratory distress, airway collapse and even death. With proper medical treatment, however, the prognosis for the effective long term management of chronic bronchial disease, even in severe cases, can be good.
Regulation of proline biosynthesis, degradation, uptake and transport in higher plants: Its implications in plant growth and abiotic stress tolerance

Dramatic accumulation of proline due to increased synthesis and decreased degradation under a variety of stress conditions such as salt, drought and metal has been documented in many plants. Similarly, a decrease in the level of accumulated proline in the rehydrated plants is due to both down regulation of proline biosynthetic pathway enzymes and upregulation of proline degrading enzymes. But, the role of proline during plant development and the molecular basis of the effect of proline accumulation during stress and upon relief of stress are still largely obscure. Here, we summarize the genes governing the proline biosynthetic pathway, its degradation and regulation. Sequentially, we provide an account on transgenics raised so far to engineer the overproduction of osmolyte proline. Also, the identification of specific cellular pathways involved in proline biosynthesis and metabolic changes occurring in transgenic plants developed for proline enhancements are discussed. Further, emphasis is also made on an untouched area of signal transduction of proline biosynthetic pathway.
A controlled study of transesophageal echocardiography to guide central venous catheter placement in congenital heart surgery patients.

UNLABELLED Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and central venous catheter (CVC) placement are often used during congenital cardiac surgery. Complications of CVC placement include cardiac perforation, inadvertent arterial placement, and erroneous hemodynamic data from unrecognized malposition. In this study, we used a prospective, randomized, controlled design to evaluate the use of TEE to guide depth of insertion and confirm superior vena cava cannulation, and to improve the percentage of correctly placed CVCs and reduce complications of CVC placement. One hundred forty-five patients were studied. Eighty patients were randomized to have subclavian vein insertion, 64 to have internal jugular insertion, and 1 to have external jugular insertion of CVC. TEE-guided CVC placement resulted in 100% correct placement when assessed by preoperative TEE, versus 86% in the control group (72 of 72 vs. 63 of 73; P = 0.01). There was no difference in correct placement between the two groups when assessed by postoperative chest radiograph (81.9% TEE versus 75.3% control; P = not significant). One significant complication, a superior vena cava perforation, occurred in the control group. Time to placement was 9.6 min in the TEE group versus 8.0 min in the control group (P = 0.015). IMPLICATIONS Transesophageal echocardiography can be used to guide central venous catheter placement in congenital heart surgery. Central venous catheters that seem to be located high in the right atrium by chest radiograph in these patients are often actually in the superior vena cava and pose little risk of cardiac perforation.