Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Solution of the fundamental linear fractional order differential equation

In the recent decades the concepts of fractional order derivatives and integrals has been arisen in various areas of the engineering fields (Torvik,1984), (Ichise, 1971), (Sun, 1983), (Cole, 1941), (Davidson, 1950). Theses fractional concepts have been generally used to model physical systems, leading to the formulation of the linear fractional order differential equations. So, the dynamic systems described by this type of fractional differential equation are called fractional linear systems. With the growing number of applications system and control fields (Manabe, 1961), (Oustaloup, 1983), (Charef, 1992), (Podlubny, 1994), (Miller, 1993), (Hartley, 1998), (Petras, 2002), it is important to establish a clear system theory for these fractional order systems, so they may be accessible to the general engineering community. The fundamental linear fractional order differential equation, defined in (Petras et al., 2002), is represented by the following equation:
Detecting suspicious following behavior in multimillion-node social networks

In a multimillion-node network of who-follows-whom like Twitter, since a high count of followers leads to higher profits, users have the incentive to boost their in-degree. Can we spot the suspicious following behavior, which may indicate zombie followers and suspicious followees? To answer the above question, we propose CatchSync, which exploits two tell-tale signs of the suspicious behavior: (a) synchronized behavior: the zombie followers have extremely similar following behavior pattern, because, say, they are generated by a script; and (b) abnormal behavior: their behavior pattern is very different from the majority. Our CatchSync introduces novel measures to quantify both concepts and catches the suspicious behavior. Moreover, we show it is effective in a real-world social network.
Numerical Methods for Discrete Double Barrier Option Pricing Based on Merton Jump Diffusion Model

As a kind of weak-path dependent options, barrier options are an important kind of exotic options. Because the pricing formula for pricing barrier options with discrete observations cannot avoid computing a high dimensional integral, numerical calculation is time-consuming. In the current studies, some scholars just obtained theoretical derivation, or gave some simulation calculations. Others impose underlying assets on some strong assumptions, for example, a lot of calculations are based on the Black-Scholes model. This thesis considers Merton jump diffusion model as the basic model to derive the pricing formula of discrete double barrier option; numerical calculation method is used to approximate the continuous convolution by calculating discrete convolution. Then we compare the results of theoretical calculation with simulation results by Monte Carlo method, to verify their efficiency and accuracy. By comparing the results of degeneration constant parameter model with the results of previous models we verified the calculation method is correct indirectly. Compared with the Monte Carlo simulation method, the numerical results are stable. Even if we assume the simulation results are accurate, the time consumed by the numerical method to achieve the same accuracy is much less than the Monte Carlo simulation method.
The value of time-averaged serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in prediction of mortality and dropout in peritoneal dialysis patients

Purpose C-reactive protein (CRP) is a useful biomarker for prediction of long-term outcomes in patients undergoing chronic dialysis. This observational cohort study evaluated whether the time-averaged serum high-sensitivity CRP (HS-CRP) level was a better predictor of clinical outcomes than a single HS-CRP level in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Patients and methods We classified 335 patients into three tertiles according to the time-averaged serum HS-CRP level and followed up regularly from January 2010 to December 2014. Clinical outcomes such as cardiovascular events, infection episodes, newly developed malignancy, encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), dropout (death plus conversion to hemodialysis), and mortality were assessed. Results During a 5-year follow-up, 164 patients (49.0%) ceased PD; this included 52 patient deaths (15.5%), 100 patients (29.9%) who converted to hemodialysis, and 12 patients (3.6%) who received a kidney transplantation. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and log-rank test revealed a significantly worse survival accumulation in patients with high time-average HS-CRP levels. A multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that a higher time-averaged serum HS-CRP level, older age, and the occurrence of cardiovascular events were independent mortality predictors. A higher time-averaged serum HS-CRP level, the occurrence of cardiovascular events, infection episodes, and EPS were important predictors of dropout. The receiver operating characteristic analysis verified that the value of the time-average HS-CRP level in predicting the 5-year mortality and dropout was superior to a single serum baseline HS-CRP level. Conclusion This study shows that the time-averaged serum HS-CRP level is a better marker than a single baseline measurement in predicting the 5-year mortality and dropout in PD patients.
Serum immunoglobulin levels in human malaria and their relationship to antibody production.

The immunoglobulins IgM, IgG and IgA were quantitated in 12 volunteers infected with Plasmodium vivax and five with Plasmodium cynomolgi. The serum levels in each subject were determined sequentially before, during and after the primary malarial attack and in one case after relapse. Large amounts of IgM globulin were produced in all subjects. However, the vivax volunteers, with parasitemias higher than those of the cynomolgi volunteers, showed greater increases in the macroglobulins, 357% as compared to 125%, respectively. In a vivax case who relapsed, essentially as much IgM globulin was synthesized during the secondary as during the primary response. Large increases in absolute values for IgG globulin were observed in all volunteers but the percent increases in IgG and IgA globulins were not as striking as for the macroglobulins. Nevertheless, the vivax volunteers showed an increase of 42% for IgG globulin and 55% for IgA globulin. The cynomolgi cases, whose infections were somewhat milder, synthesized less of these two immunoglobulins—19% for IgG and 15% for IgA globulin. The quantitative determinations of the immunoglobulins IgM, IgG and IgA in the primary attack of vivax and cynomolgi malaria demonstrated that there was an increase in each of the three classes of immunoglobulins which paralleled the increase in antibody formation.
A new NO sensor based on a Prussian Blue modified electrode

Nitric oxide (NO) is a major signaling molecule in neurons and in the immune system, either acting within the cell in which it is produced or by penetrating cell membranes to affect adjacent cells. NO has effects on neuronal transmission as well as on synaptic plasticity in the CNS, and there is evidence that NO contributes to the pathology of several diseases including hypertension, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease [1].
Long‐term stroke risk in children with sickle cell disease screened with transcranial doppler

Stroke is an important complication of sickle cell disease. Stroke prediction is clinically important because it offers the possibility of primary prevention. In 1992, transcranial Doppler (TCD) evidence of elevated intracranial internal carotid or middle cerebral artery velocity was demonstrated to be associated strongly with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. This study extends the original study and includes 125 more children, longer follow‐up, and intracranial hemorrhage in the stroke‐risk model. Elevated time averaged mean maximum blood flow velocity, especially when velocity is 200 cm/sec or greater by TCD, was associated strongly with stroke risk. The cases not predicted by TCD point to the need for more information on the optimal timing of TCD surveillance for stroke risk.
Pretreatment of Endothelial Progenitor Cells with Osteopontin Enhances Cell Therapy for Peripheral Vascular Disease

Tissue necrosis resulting from critical limb ischemia (CLI) leads to amputation in a significant number of patients. Autologous cell therapy using angiogenic cells such as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) holds promise as a treatment for CLI but a limitation of this treatment is that the underlying disease etiology that resulted in CLI may also contribute to dysfunction of the therapeutic EPCs. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of EPC dysfunction using diabetes mellitus as a model and to determine whether correction of this defect in dysfunctional EPCs ex vivo would improve the outcome after cell transplantation in the murine hind limb ischemia model. EPC dysfunction was confirmed in a homogenous population of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and a microarray study was preformed to identify dysregulated genes. Notably, the secreted proangiogenic protein osteopontin (OPN) was significantly downregulated in diabetic EPCs. Furthermore, OPN-deficient mice showed impaired recovery following hind limb ischemia, suggesting a critical role for OPN in postnatal neovascularization. EPCs isolated from OPN KO mice showed decreased ability to adhere to endothelial cells as well as impaired angiogenic potential. However, this dysfunction was reversed upon exposure to recombinant OPN, suggesting that OPN may act in an autocrine manner on EPCs. Indeed, exposure of OPN knockout (KO) EPCs to OPN was sufficient to induce the secretion of angiogenic proteins (IL-6, TGF-α, and FGF-α). We also demonstrated that vascular regeneration following hind limb ischemia in OPN KO mice was significantly improved upon injection of EPCs preexposed to OPN. We concluded that OPN acts in an autocrine manner on EPCs to induce the secretion of angiogenic proteins, thereby playing a critical role in EPC-mediated neovascularization. Modification of cells by exposure to OPN may improve the efficacy of autologous EPC transplantation via the enhanced secretion of angiogenic proteins.
Towards Open Smart Services Platform

The landscape of services in the enterprise has changed significantly for both service providers and service clients over the last few years. In the IT services domain, the mega IT outsourcing service deals with a sole provider are diminishing fast. A typical service client is now consuming multiple IT services, from specialized providers, and services contracts has become smaller in size and duration. More importantly the line of business, not the IT, owns the decisions and the relationship for consuming services. This has also shifted the service consumption input from IT requirements into the business requirements. This new world is posing a new and unique set of opportunities and challenges for service providers in offering services, which include third party providers, to their clients, and for service clients to consume services from multiple providers. To facilitate offering and consuming such multi-vendor services, in this paper, we present a conceptual architecture for an open services platform which enables a given server provider (a service integrator) to offer services to its clients that are a mixture of its own and other services from third party providers. It also enables service clients to look for and choose services from multiple vendors in a seamless, integrated and consistent manner.
&bgr;-Cell Proliferation Is Associated With Increased A-Type &ggr;-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Expression in Pancreatectomized Mice

of pancreatic enzymes. Before the initiation of MTH, the patient’s lipase level was mildly elevated (85 U/L), and amylase level was within the normal limits (56 U/L). He was treated with MTH for 24 hours followed by slow rewarming (0.5-C/h), and pancreatic enzyme levels were measured every 8 hours during the procedure. It was agreed that rewarming would proceed if the enzyme levels began to rise once again. The enzyme levels remained within normal limits throughout the entire procedure (lipase values: 52, 45, 40, 49, and then 60 U/L; amylase values: 53, 45, 34, 33, and then 40 U/L). The patient was monitored with continuous electroencephalography for 36 hours, including the MTH period. The electroencephalogram disclosed only a generalized slowing pattern. Coagulation tests showed normal results. The glucose levels were less than 160 mg/dL (with no need for insulin therapy), and no vasopressors were required during MTH. Midazolam and fentanyl were administered for shivering management. Propofol was avoided to prevent further pancreatic injuries. A week after rewarming, he remained encephalopathic; however, he regained consciousness and began to follow complex commands 2 weeks after. During his hospital stay, the patient’s neurologic status continued to improve steeply, and he was discharged 1 month later with full functionality and no obvious cognitive impairment.
Glycemic index, glycemic load and renal cell carcinoma risk.

BACKGROUND The risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been related to refined cereals and starchy foods, but the association has not been studied in terms of glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL). To provide information on this issue, we analyzed data from an Italian multicentric case-control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cases were 767 patients with histologically confirmed, incident RCC. Controls were 1534 subjects admitted to the same hospitals as cases for a wide spectrum of acute, non-neoplastic conditions, unrelated to known risk factors for RCC. Information on dietary habits was derived through a food-frequency questionnaire. Multivariate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for GI and GL intake were adjusted for major relevant covariates. RESULTS Compared with the lowest quintile, the ORs for the highest quintile were 1.43 (95% CI 1.05-1.95) for GI and 2.56 (95% CI 1.78-3.70) for GL, with significant trends in risk. Compared with the lowest quintile, the risk of RCC for all subsequent levels of GL was higher in never drinkers than in ever drinkers. CONCLUSIONS We found direct relations between dietary levels of GI and GL and RCC risk. This can be related to mechanisms linked to insulin resistance and sensitivity.
Tunnel FET device characteristics for RF energy harvesting passive rectifiers

The lack of high power conversion efficiency in RF passive rectifier circuits at sub-μW power levels with current MOSFET technologies is directly related with the difficulty of the transistors in conducting the required level of current at low voltage values. With a different carrier injection mechanism, the superior electrical characteristics of the Tunnel FET devices at low voltage values (sub-0.25 V) can outperform the process of energy conversion at ultra-low power, thus improving the operation range of RF energy harvesting circuits. In this work, a simulation study on the doping profile and material selection of Tunnel FET devices shows the impact of device properties in rectifier circuit efficiency.
Conditional Quantum Dynamics and Logic Gates.

Quantum logic gates provide fundamental examples of conditional quantum dynamics. They could form the building blocks of general quantum information processing systems which have recently been shown to have many interesting nonclassical properties. We describe a simple quantum logic gate, the quantum controlled-NOT, and analyze some of its applications. We discuss two possible physical realizations of the gate, one based on Ramsey atomic interferometry and the other on the selective driving of optical resonances of two subsystems undergoing a dipole-dipole interaction.
Possible factors related to functional ankle instability.

STUDY DESIGN Case control study. OBJECTIVES To classify individuals with functional ankle instability (FAI) into deficit and non-deficit categories based on the evaluation of the most common factors that have been proposed to be related to FAI. BACKGROUND Recent studies have suggested that FAI may be secondary to a combination of factors including ankle proprioceptive deficit, muscular weakness, impaired balance, delayed neuromuscular reaction time, and joint laxity. However, only a few authors have investigated the prevalence and association among these factors in a single group of individuals. METHODS AND MEASURES The above 5 factors were tested bilaterally in 21 individuals with FAI and in 16 healthy control subjects. Data were analyzed for (1) within- and between-group comparison, (2) classification of subjects with FAI into deficit and no-deficit categories, and (3) magnitude of association between factors in the subjects with FAI using Pearson bivariate correlation. RESULTS Balance control and evertors' strength were significantly less on the affected side in comparison to the unaffected side in subjects with FAI. The evertors' strength was also significantly different between the side difference of the FAI group and the side difference of the control group. Passive ankle stiffness was significantly correlated to balance control, ankle proprioception, and evertor peak torque. Individuals with FAI demonstrated a large variation in the deficit categories ranging from multiple deficits to no noticeable deficits. CONCLUSION Mechanical alterations in the ankle joint may influence several aspects of the ankle's functional ability. Alterations in the afferent processes, represented in this study by ankle proprioception, may effect the evertors' strength or vice versa. More importantly, individuals with FAI might exhibit high variability in ankle deficits.
Development of ifosfamide-induced nephrotoxicity: prospective follow-up in 75 patients.

PURPOSE This study was performed to describe prospectively the development and prognosis of severe ifosfamide-induced nephrotoxicity and to define the period of recommended renal follow-up after ifosfamide chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Renal function was followed in 75 patients after cessation of chemotherapy starting within the first year off therapy; median follow-up time was 31 months. The glomerular filtration rate was estimated by using the Schwartz formula. Proximal tubular transport capacities were evaluated for amino acids, phosphate, sodium, and glucose. In addition, serum bicarbonate level and alkaline phosphatase were measured. RESULTS Five patients developed renal Fanconi syndrome during follow-up, and another seven patients developed a generalized subclinical tubulopathy. The latter condition always preceded Fanconi syndrome. Severe impairment of amino acid and phosphate reabsorption was seen in 28% and 17.3% of patients, respectively. Reductions in amino acid reabsorption preceded impairment of phosphate reabsorption. In patients with early impairment of phosphate reabsorption, renal prognosis was poor, whereas normal or only mildly impaired amino acid handling virtually excluded progressive tubular damage. CONCLUSIONS Ifosfamide-induced renal tubular damage is a potentially progressive disease. Along with measurement of phosphate reabsorption, additional assessment of tubular amino acid handling is suggested, because it allows early discrimination of poor from favorable renal outcomes.
The Opitz syndrome: a new designation for the clinically indistinguishable BBB and G syndromes.

The BBB and G syndromes are multiple congenital anomaly (MCA) syndromes characterized by a developmental defect of the midline field. Prominent clinical manifestations are hypertelorism and, in males, hypospadias. Transmission is most likely autosomal dominant in both syndromes. Examination of two new cases and scrutiny of the literature led us to conclude that there are no discriminating qualitative differences between the two conditions. Therefore we propose that they both be designated by the common term "Opitz syndrome. "
A switch in numb isoforms is a critical step in cortical development

Loss of numb function suggests that numb maintains progenitors in an undifferentiated state. Herein, we demonstrate that numb1 and numb3 are expressed in undifferentiated cortical progenitors, whereas numb2 and numb4 become prominent throughout differentiation. To further assess the role of different numb isoforms in cortical neural development, we first created a Numb‐null state with antisense morpholino, followed by the re‐expression of specific numb isoforms. The re‐expression of numb1 or numb3 resulted in a significant reduction of neural differentiation, correlating with an expansion of the cortical progenitor pool. In contrast, the expression of numb2 or numb4 resulted in a reduction of proliferating progenitors and a corresponding increase in mammalian achete‐scute homologue (MASH1) expression, concurrent with the appearance of the mitogen‐activated protein‐2–positive neurons. Of interest, the effect of numb isoforms on neural differentiation could not be directly related to Notch, because classic canonical Notch signaling assays failed to uncover any differences in the four isoforms to inhibit the Notch downstream events. This finding suggests that numb may have other signaling properties during neuronal differentiation in addition to augmenting notch signal strength. Developmental Dynamics 236:696–705, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Submicrowatt Implantable Capacitive Sensor System for Biomedical Applications

This brief presents a submicrowatt, offset-free, and implantable system for a biomedical capacitive sensor. The system is powered by a 13.56-MHz radio frequency signal and performs sensor signal amplification, analog-to-digital conversion, and load-shift keying uplink data transmission within 640 μs. An ultralow-power capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) is designed by replacing a power-hungry operational amplifier with a subthreshold inverter in a switched-capacitor amplifier (SC-amp). A fast-response-gain compensation method is employed to reduce the gain error of the SC-amp while achieving high energy efficiency for the CDC. To eliminate the offset, a two-step autocalibration is applied. The application-specific integrated circuit is implemented in the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company 90-nm complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor technology, and the whole system achieves an 8.02 effective number of bits with 9-bit linearity while consuming only 5.5 μW.
Power quality improvement in primary distribution grids through vehicle-to-grid technologies

The transition of modern electric distribution network towards the Smart Grids involves many operators and subjects that actively interact with the grid. In this scenario the role of Distributors and End Users can change respect to the traditional concept. However this can be an opportunity to improve the quality of power through energy resources distributed into the network. These resources are of course renewable generators, especially photovoltaic and wind, but also other devices connected to grids. These can be dedicated storage systems installed to mitigate the variability of renewable energies. The main idea developed in this paper is the application of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies to compensate the most probable disturbances that can occur in primary distribution electric networks. In fact, the storage installed on-board the vehicles could easy be applied to compensation devices such as DVRs and STATCOMs in order to improve the quality of power for the grids. After a statistical analysis coming from real measurements on Italian primary distribution network, the proposed system is modelled and simulated to test its feasibility.