Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using workflows to control the experiment execution in modeling and simulation software

To control the computation of an experiment means at least to deal with the generation of parameter combinations of interest (at best using experiment design solutions) and to execute, in case of stochastic simulations, the required replications using the hardware available. Although the process to be supported by modeling and simulation (M&S) software is often constrained to loading the model and instantiating it using a given parameter configuration and executing it by taking into account the simulation parameters, needs might arise to adapt and extend the code controlling the execution, i. e. , incorporating feedback loops from validation or analysis steps into the execution scheme during runtime, having user interaction or simply adding further steps to the execution scheme such as further data processing. Additional features, like supporting diverse hardware setups, documentation or security, may imply further changes to the code. A workflow-based execution abstracts from concrete implementations and hard-coded execution patterns, as it provides a declarative description of this process, which means that anyone can set up own experimentation workflows (by using smaller predefined workflows and non-workflow-based components). Herein we present a workflow driven realization of an experimentation layer, which supports the same features as the hard-coded alternative and we discuss the pros, cons, and performance of the workflow-based approach.
Hospital Cost of Treating Early Dislocation following Hip Arthroplasty

Dislocation is a frequent and costly complication of hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to assess the financial impact on the treating institution of this complication in patients with primary hemiarthroplasty (HA), total hip arthroplasty (THA) and revision surgery (RTHA). Between October 2001 and August 2009, 2014 consecutive hip arthroplasties were performed at our institution, of which 87 (18 HA, 44 THA and 25 RTHA) dislocated within 6 weeks of the primary operation. The average cost of treating implant dislocation by closed reduction, open reduction or revision was assessed and expressed as a percentage cost increase compared to an uncomplicated procedure. Of the 87 dislocated implants all needed one or more closed reductions and 52 eventually required revision surgery. An early dislocation increased the cost of HA, THA and RTHA by 472%, 342% and 352%, respectively.
A Comparative Study of a Novel Shape Dual-band Wearable Antenna on Different Types of Artificial Ground Planes

This article describes design of four types of wearable dual band (2.444 and 5.4 GHz) planar patch antennas. The first one is designed on a traditional ground plane. The other three are designed on three different types of two-dimensional artificial ground planes. The traditional ground plane based antenna has a bandwidth of 81.6 and 161.8 MHz at 2.444 and 5.4 GHz respectively. An improvement of 8.6 and 41.7 MHz in bandwidth for the 2.444 and 5.4 GHz frequency bands, respectively, has been achieved by employing electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) with hexagon-shaped conducting patches. Directivity, gain, efficiency and other parameters are improved by a ponderable amount using EBG ground planes. As the considered antennas are wearable therefore the performance of all the four types of antennas has been investigated with different bending radii. It was observed that the performance of all the considered antennas remain stable in terms of reflection coefficient and radiation characteristics. Bending has negligible effects on the performance of the considered four types of antennas. The proposed antennas can be used for the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM)and wireless local area network (WLAN) band applications.Computer simulation technology(CST) has been used as a designing and simulating software for all the proposed antennas.
Pertussis characterization in the central-west region of São Paulo state, Brazil

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. This study aimed at characterizing the B. pertussis laboratory positivity and the isolated strains in municipalities of the Central-West Region of São Paulo State, Brazil from 2010 to 2014. A total of 597 nasopharyngeal swabs samples were collected from suspected patients and contacts, and analyzed by in vitro culture and Real-Time PCR (qPCR). Culture-positive B. pertussis strains were characterized by serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Considering culture and/ or qPCR, the positivity rate was of 19.6%. Out of 117 samples with B. pertussis, 23 were detected by both methods, 89 by qPCR only and five by culture only. Strains presenting FIM3 (40%), FIM2,3 (32%) and FIM2 (28%) serotypes were found. Five pulsotypes were detected by PFGE, 48% of which identified as BP.Xba. 0039, being the predominant type in this study. Among the positive strains, 50% were isolated from < 2 months old-children and 17% were isolated from three to six months old patients. Non-vaccinated children or with incomplete vaccination schedule were at the major risk of complications and death, highlighting the importance of a continuous monitoring of this infection for the future control strategies.
LRS Bianchi Type I in C-Field Cosmology with Varying Λ ( t )

We investigate LRS Bianchi type I spacetime filled with barotropic fluid (p = γρ) in theC-field cosmology of Hoyle and Narlikar (HN). The model considers a varying Cosmological Constant (Λ(t)) and to get deterministic solution, it is assumed that Λ = 1/A as considered by Chen and Wu (Phys. Rev. D 41 (1990) 695), where A is a scale factor. The presence of several parameters (including γ) makes it possible to manipulate the model to match it with observational data. The three special cases of the model, that is dust filled universe (γ = 0), stiff fluid universe (γ = 1) and radiation dominated universe (γ = 1/3) are discussed. The physical aspects of these models are also studied. PACS codes: 98.80. -k, 98.80. Jk
Th 17 and Allergy

The identification of novel helper T (Th) cell subsets, i.e., IL-17-producing Th cells (Th17 cells) and regulatory T cells (Treg cells), provided new insight into our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of infectious and autoimmune diseases as well as immune responses, and thus led to revision of the classic Th1 Th2 paradigm. Several current lines of evidence from gene-deficient mice indicate that IL-17 and Th17 cells, but not IFN-γ and Th1 cells, are responsible for the development of autoimmune diseases such as murine arthritis and encephalomyelitis, which have classically been considered to be Th1-mediated disorders. Th17 cells may also contribute to the pathogenesis of classically recognized Th2-mediated allergic disorders. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding IL-17 and Th17 cells and discuss their potential roles in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders.
c‐ret regulates cholinergic properties in mouse sympathetic neurons: evidence from mutant mice

The search for signalling systems regulating development of noradrenergic and cholinergic sympathetic neurons is a classical problem of developmental neuroscience. While an essential role of bone morphogenetic proteins for induction of noradrenergic properties is firmly established, factors involved in the development of cholinergic traits in vivo are still enigmatic. Previous studies have shown that the c‐ret receptor and cholinergic properties are coexpressed in chick sympathetic neurons. Using in situ hybridization we show now that a loss‐of‐function mutation of the c‐ret receptor in mice dramatically reduces numbers of cells positive for choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) in stellate ganglia of homozygous newborn animals. The number of neurons positive for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA, the rate‐limiting enzyme of noradrenaline synthesis, is reduced to a smaller degree and expression levels are not detectably altered. Already at embryonic day 16 (E16), ChAT and VAChT‐positive cells are affected by the c‐ret mutation. At E14, however, ChAT and VAChT mRNAs are detectable at low levels and no difference is observed between wildtype and mutant mice. Our data suggest that c‐ret signalling is necessary for the maturation of cholinergic sympathetic neurons but dispensable for de novo induction of ChAT and VAChT expression.
Investigation of winter wheat cold tolerance in Lithuania for breeding purposes

Over 900 winter wheat varieties from western and southhern Europe, western USA and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre’s (CIMMYT) programmes were investigated in natural and artificial conditions at the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture 1997–1999. The best way to study winter hardiness was to investigate winter wheat varieties in natural conditions, or combine natural field growth with testing in freezing chambers. Winter hardiness positively correlated with plant height and grain yield. The results show that 20–30% of West-European and 50–60% of varieties and lines from CIMMYT’s programmes demonstrated the same resistance under Lithuanian winter conditions as local varieties. The most suitable varieties for hybridisation to improve winter hardiness were Yuna, Yuogtina, Nadia, Ukrainka odesskaja, Sirvinta, Flair, Zentos, Kosack.
TWO METHODS TO ATTAIN OPTIMUM ZONING OF A REGION OF KNOWN SEISMICITY

Seismic zoning consists of dividing a region into zones where both boundaries and design coefficients are optimum. Two methods are presented here in order to solve the problem. A first method based on combinations performs an exhaustive ordinate search among all possible configurations to find the optimum. The second method is based on a procedure analogous to that developed in the natural selection of the species. The paper ends with examples considering different types of structures built in a region.
Assessing impact of anti tobacco mass media campaigns

For considerable time now, mass media sources have been used for advocating tobacco cessation. Responses from 1010 tobacco users were studied to determine impact of mass media campaigns on the tobacco using population and to identify challenges in effectual implementation of these media campaigns. To analyse the impact of anti tobacco media campaigns on tobacco users. 1010 self reported tobacco users were interviewed to determine if their knowledge, attitude and practices of tobacco consumption were influenced by anti tobacco media mass messages. 646 male and 364 females; between 16-75 years with mean age of 32.84 + 12.2 years participated in the study. 910 (90 %) of participants were unaware about the harmful effects of tobacco at the time of habit initiation, however, 890 (88.11%) participants said that they had gradually become aware of the disadvantages of tobacco use. Majority of participants credited media sources for their awareness but remarked that these campaigns were not helpful beyond creating awareness. A suboptimal outcome was noticed in dissuading tobacco use through media campaigns. Anti tobacco media campaigns have greatly contributed in creating awareness about harmful effects of tobacco; though they have made only a modest impact in prompting tobacco cessation.
COLLAPSE SIMULATION OF RC COLUMNS UNDER BIAXIAL CYCLIC LOADING

Full-blown performance-based seismic design and assessment require multiple nonlinear dynamic analyses of 3D models. Collapse simulation requires the employed response models to be robust up to extreme response levels. For RC columns, the state-of-the-art in the field relies on phenomenological models calibrated versus experiments, whose robustness, computational cost and capability of describing member collapse for use within complex/large building models is unparalleled. These models, however, miss one possibly important aspect: the coupling between the responses in orthogonal planes. This work reports on ongoing research to develop a coupled phenomenological model for RC columns. Preliminary results from a multiple stripe analysis on a test building using an initial, basic implementation of the coupled model highlight a qualitative trend towards higher rates of collapse compared to uncoupled 3D models. 1Professor, Department of Structural & Geotechnical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, IT 00197 (email: andrea.lucchini@uniroma1.it, paolo.franchin@uniroma1.it) 2Professor, School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331 (email: michael.scott@oregonstate.edu) Lucchini, A. , Scott M.H. , Franchin P. Collapse simulation of RC columns under biaxial cyclic loading. Proceedings of the 11th National Conference in Earthquake Engineering, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA. 2018. Eleventh U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering Integrating Science, Engineering & Policy June 25-29, 2018 Los Angeles, California Collapse simulation of RC columns under biaxial cyclic loading Andrea Lucchini1, Michael H. Scott2, and Paolo Franchin1
Teaching and learning French with the help of a French Caribbean corpus

This paper describes and partly analyses the French Learner Corpus which was built at the Centre for Language Learning at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. It is part of a Ph.D. research project currently being completed at the University of Bretagne-Sud in Lorient, France. Its primary objective is to improve the way French is taught and learned in the Trinidad and Tobago context using the tools developed for Learner Corpora. It is original in the sense that it targets learners with a low or intermediate proficiency in French. Learner Corpora can be of great help in the teaching and learning of foreign languages. They help researchers identify the most recurrent linguistic problems faced by specific populations of students in their endeavour to learn a particular second/foreign language, a set of difficulties generally called their interlanguage or provisional grammar. Identifying such problems is important in adapting the teachers’ pedagogy to the characteristic difficulties their students encounter. It makes possible the creation of supplementary material to support textbooks which are often far too generic in their approach. Such corpora with some of their associated analysis tools can also be made available to learners for in-class or independent learning.
The syntagmatic–paradigmatic shift and reading development

This study examined developmental change in the word association task as reading acquisition occurred. Syntagmatic responses follow the stimulus word in discourse, ‘cold’ – ‘outside’, while paradigmatic associates are of the same form class, ‘cold’ – ‘hot’. Some 59 children were tested three times during the school year. The average age of the younger group was 5;4, and the older group, 6;2 at the October test. They were given the PPVT, the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test, and a word association task. The younger group gave an increasing number of rhyming responses and the older group gave more paradigmatic responses as the year progressed. Regression analyses with the older group attributed this to reading acquisition. The changing nature of the cognitive representation of words as reading acquisition took place was discussed.
Using RAPD technique to evaluate genetic diversity of longan ( Dimocarpus longan ) population in Vietnam

Ho VT, Ngo QNg. 2017. Short Communication: Using RAPD technique to evaluate genetic diversity of longan (Dimocarpus longan) population in Vietnam. Biodiversitas 18: xxxx. Longan (Dimocarpus longan L.) is an important fruit plant in Vietnam where several cultivars and landraces are being cultivated. Presently, the identification of longan cultivars and landraces is mainly based on personal experience relying on morphological traits leading the difficulty of genetic conservation and longan breeding. In this study, genetic richness and relativeness of 36 longan accessions collected from different provinces in Vietnam were evaluated by using 30 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. Our results reveal that there is the large variation of genetic background of studied longan accessions with separate groups in the obtained dendrogram. We also identified the combination of different RAPD markers could help to identify 15 longan genotypes. The results from this project could provide valuable information which is necessary for classifying, identifying plant origins, breeding and conserving programs of longan in Vietnam.
Generation of rhythmic patterns of activity by ventral interneurones in rat organotypic spinal slice culture

1 In the presence of certain excitatory substances the rat isolated spinal cord generates rhythmic oscillations believed to be an in‐built locomotor programme (fictive locomotion). However, it is unknown whether a long‐term culture of the same tissue can express rhythmic activity. Such a simplified model system would provide useful data on the minimal circuitry involved and the cellular mechanisms mediating this phenomenon. For this purpose we performed patch clamp recording (under whole‐cell voltage or current clamp conditions) from visually identified ventral horn interneurones of an organotypic slice culture of the rat spinal cord. 2 Ventral horn interneurones expressed rhythmic bursting when the extracellular [K+] was raised from 4 to 6‐7 mM. Under voltage clamp this activity consisted of composite synaptic currents grouped into bursts lasting 0.9 ± 0.5 s (2.8 ± 1.5 s period) and was generated at network level as it was blocked by tetrodotoxin or low‐Ca2+‐high‐Mg2+ solution and its periodicity was unchanged at different potential levels. 3 In current clamp mode bursting was usually observed as episodes comprising early depolarizing potentials followed by hyperpolarizing events with tight temporal patterning. Bursting was fully suppressed by 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (CNQX) and reduced in amplitude and duration by N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism without change in periodicity. Extracellular field recording showed bursting activity over a wide area of the ventral horn. 4 Regular, rhythmic activity similar to that induced by K+ also appeared spontaneously in Mg2+‐free solution. The much slower rhythmic pattern induced by strychnine and bicuculline was also accelerated by high‐K+ solution. 5 The fast and regular rhythmic activity of interneurones in the spinal organotypic culture is a novel observation which suggests that the oversimplified circuit present in this culture is a useful model for investigating spinal rhythmic activity.
Sperm chromatin integrity in DDT-exposed young men living in a malaria area in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND There is mounting evidence that deteriorated semen quality may be associated with increased serum concentration of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(chlorodiphenyl)ethane (DDT) and its metabolites. The problem is exacerbated in situations where DDT is the only resource available to control malaria mosquitoes and DDT metabolite plasma concentration can reach 1000-fold the level found in other populations. There are limited and contradictory epidemiological data on whether DDT/dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethylene (DDE) can also damage sperm DNA. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the possible adverse effects on human sperm genetic integrity in a sufficiently large study population with adequate exposure contrasts, especially in the high exposure range. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study, recruiting 209 young males from three communities in an endemic malaria area where DDT is sprayed annually. Blood plasma p,p'-DDT and its metabolite p,p'-DDE levels were measured and expressed as lipid adjusted p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE values. The sperm chromatin structure assay and Aniline Blue test were used to assess sperm DNA/chromatin integrity. RESULTS The lipid adjusted p,p'-DDT mean (+/-SD) and median concentrations were 109.2 (+/-106.6) and 83.9 microg/g, respectively; and the lipid adjusted p,p'-DDE mean (+/-SD) and median concentrations were 246.2 (+/-218.5) and 177.8 microg/g, respectively. The results point to a weak association between DDT/DDE plasma concentration and the incidence of sperm with chromatin defects. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that non-occupational environmental DDT exposure may have a negative impact on sperm chromatin integrity in young South African males.
Efficiency Of Biofertilization On Growth , Yield , Alkaloids Content And Chemical Constitutes of Lupinus Termis , L . plants

A field experiment was conducted during two successive seasons 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 to determine the influence of bio-fertilizer used were Bacillus megatherium var. phosphaticum (Bm) Bradyrhizobium (Rh) (used as seed inoculants) on two cultivars (Giza 1 & Giza 2) of Lupin Lupinus termis L. plants and their interactions. Effect of the previous treatments on vegetative growth, yield, nitrogen, phosphorus , potassium , protin , Alkaloids percentage and Alkaloids content/plant(g) of Lupin Lupinus termis L. plants were studied in this investigation. It is obvious that Giza 2 cultivar surpassed Giza 1 cultivar concerning plant height, plant dry weight, Pods number/plant, Pods dry weight, seed index ,seed number/plant and seed yield / plant & / feddan, while Giza 1 cultivar surpassed Giza 2 cultivar concerning branch number/plant , nitrogen, phosphorus , potassium , protin percentage , There were no significant differences between the two cultivars in Alkaloids percentage and Alkaloids content/plant(g). In regard to bio-fertilizer treatments, enhanced the all parameters under study . The best results in terms of these characters were obtained when inoculating the plants with Rh + Bm + 50% mineral fertilizer followed by Rh + 50 % , the combined effect between two cultivars (Giza 1 & Giza 2) and bio-fertilizer treatments on Lupin Lupinus termis L. plants parameters was statistically significant.
WOODY PLANT COMMUNITIES ALONG AN ELEVATION GRADIENT IN MOOREA , FRENCH POLYNESIA

Plant communities vary in relatedness, diversity, abundance, and morphological traits over spatial scales. This holds true along elevational gradients, where different elevations have different environmental filtering, resulting in varying species compositions. This study aims to shed light on the extent to which the aforementioned community characteristics vary along the elevational gradients of Moorea, French Polynesia. Plots were placed over 5 elevations in which species diversity, abundance of individuals within each species, and leaf and plant physiological traits were measured. It was determined that species at the highest elevation exhibited higher relatedness than by chance. In addition, native species were found to increase in abundance with elevation and leaf mass was found to be greater at lower elevations. Species richness and accumulation appear to increase with increasing elevation and the species compositions found at the different elevations are significantly different from one another.
ANDROID Small Active Debris Removal Mission

Android mission is the result of an assessment study carried out by GMV under ESA contract with QinetiQ as subcontractor responsible for the platform design, CBK Poland responsible for the manipulator design and GMV Romania responsible for the net system design. The goal of the Android Mission is to demonstrate in orbit the critical technologies required for a future Active Debris Removal missions. The focus is set on the critical elements (GNC and capture mechanisms). The paper describes the system design performed during the activity.