Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advances in Hearing Aid Technology

Digital signal processing (DSP) has provided significant advances and improvements in hearing aid technology. These advances, and the increased process- ing speed that DSP offers, have resulted in improved and expanded features in current hearing aid technology. These advances have also served to expand the fitting range of amplification for patients who previously could not benefit from amplification. This article reviews the advances and supporting research in specific hearing aid features, devices, and assistive technology developments that allow a greater number of patients access to amplification. These features and devices include directional microphones, Bluetooth and other wireless technology, digital noise reduction, devices for patients with single-sided deafness, frequency transposition, self- learning and adaptation managers, and integrated real ear measures. Despite the changes in hearing aids created by DSP, limitations still exist. Additionally, peer-reviewed research is not yet available to support the reported benefits of some of these advances.
Multigeneration reproductive study of hydroxyprogesterone caproate (HPC) in the rat: laboratory results and clinical significance.

To demonstrate reproductive safety of a new commercial product for reducing the risk of preterm birth, HPC (17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, Makena; manufactured by Baxter Pharmaceutical Solutions, Bloomington IN for Ther-Rx Corporation, St. Louis, MO) was administered intramuscularly in Charles River LaboratoryCD strain rats. HPC was given at intervals equal to the half-life measured in rats during three phases of embryo-fetal development: during the period of ovarian development (RP1, days 8, 14, and 20), following implantation of the embryo (TP, days 6, 12, and 18), and, corresponding to the start of the drug in week 16 or later in humans, after gonadal formation including differentiation of the testes (RP2, day 17). Dose levels up to 30× the human therapeutic doses were utilized including 0 (vehicle), 5, 25, and 150 mg/kg (volume 0.6 ml/kg). Four groups of 25 time-mated rats each were used for each phase. In addition, equal numbers of naïve (untreated) rats of opposite gender were used for F(1) breeding studies. HPC did not produce any consistent test-article-related findings in the treated F(0) dams, their developing F(1) fetuses and did not affect the ability of the latter to produce a viable F(2) generation. The F(1) offspring did not evidence any adverse effects during their behavioral, sensory, and developmental assessments, including teratogenicity. Based on the cumulative data obtained from rats treated over two generations and during development in this study, the No-observable-effect-level (NOEL) was established as 150 mg/kg. This study supports the absence of reproductive toxicity with HPC in published studies in animal models and in human clinical trials.
Hand-assisted Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery: Initial Experience of a Single Surgeon

Background/Aim: As totally laparoscopic colorectal surgery is considered challenging and technically demanding with a long steep learning curve, we adopted hand-assisted laparoscopic colorectal surgery as a bridge to totally laparoscopic assisted colorectal surgery. This prospective study aims to highlight the initial experience of a single surgeon with this technique. Materials and Methods: A prospective analysis of the first 25 cases of hand-assisted laparoscopic colorectal resections which were performed by a single surgeon over a 15-month period. There were 15 males and 10 females with a mean age of 55.5 (range 20-82) years. Results: The indication in majority of cases was cancer (76%). The procedures consisted of 18 (72%) various colectomies and 7 (28%) anterior resections. The operative time ranged between 110-400 (mean 180) min. There was one conversion (4%) and the mean operative blood loss was 80 (range 60-165) ml. The number of lymph nodes retrieved in the cancer cases was 5-31 (mean 15) nodes. The mean length of hospital stay was five (range 3-10) days. The total number of short-term complications was six (24%) and there was one death due to anastomatic leak and multiorgan failure. Long-term complications after a maximum follow up of 30 months were two incisional hernias at the hand port site, but none of the patients developed adhesive small bowel obstruction or late anastomotic stricture. Currently all our colorectal procedures are conducted laparoscopically. Conclusion: Hand-assisted laparoscopic colorectal procedures are easy to learn as a good bridge to master totally laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Intra-ovarian regulation oocyte developmental competence in cattle

Each oestrous cycle the ovary produces one or more oocytes, depending on the species considered, which are fully competent to sustain the development of a new individual and are defined as matured. Ovulation is the terminal phase of a lengthy and complex selection process which enables only a minute proportion of the oocytes present in the ovary to be ovulated and possibly fertilised. The use of exogenous gonadotrophins for the pharmacological stimulation of the ovaries has clearly indicated that oocytes naturally excluded by the selection process can also be matured and, if fertilised in vivo or in vitro, can generate normal offspring.
Target radial velocity estimation based on data reconstruction and signal fitting

Due to many nonideal conditions such as the channel gain/phase response error and multi-channel range-doppler images coregistration error, the performance of radial velocity estimation of moving targets with the traditional adaptive match filtering algorithm will degrade. For the purpose of overcoming this influence, a new radial velocity estimation algorithm based on data reconstruction and signal fitting is proposed. The validity and superiority of this method are experimentally verified by the simulated and real synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. The results illustrate this method has a good robustness to image coregistration error and channel response error.
Experimental investigation on the DC breakdown of silicone Polymer composites employable to 500kV HVDC insulator

HVDC technology has been widely used for the bulk power transmission due to its advantages over the conventional HVAC such as higher efficiency with larger current carrying capability and lower electrical losses for long-distance transmission. In this regards, many research institutes have put their intensive efforts to commercialize relevant components in order to realize better HVDC transmission system. One of the critical components for HVDC transmission systems is HVDC polymer insulators which shows rather severe requirements compared to HVAC ones. It has been perceived uneasy to achieve relevant insulation properties with proper design of power apparatus under HVDC. Especially, there is few research works presented concerning the insulation properties of insulator which is a fundamental power component in HVDC system. In this work, dielectric insulation characteristics of various silicone composites have been experimentally investigated under DC stress, of which the results could supply essential base for developing HVDC polymer insulator. For this purpose, polymer composite samples have been prepared in different ways by mixing silicone and ATH respectively and then have been under DC stress to evaluate breakdown characteristics. For the comparison both in DC and AC environment, withstand voltage test and surface discharge test under AC were also performed.
Alternative pre-mRNA splicing leads to potential biomarkers in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma - a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION The study of potential biomarkers in haematological malignancies has gained momentum in past decades. We compiled a systematic review to outline potential biomarkers based on alternative pre-mRNA splicing that were suggested to be clinically useful for the diagnosis, prognosis and response to therapeutics in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS A comprehensive search of the literature in PubMed, Embase and Scopus was performed and supplemented with screening of reference lists. Only articles concerning potential biomarkers originating from reports on alternative pre-mRNA splicing were included. The contributions of these studies will help develop personalised medicine. Therefore, the clinical utility of the potential biomarkers was evaluated. RESULTS A total of 16 studies were included of which eight described seven different potential diagnostic biomarkers. Eight studies reported two potential prognostic biomarkers for CD44, its spliced mRNA variants and the resulting proteins that were the most frequently reported. Furthermore, two studies reported two proteins originating from alternative pre-mRNA splicing as potentially predictive biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS Alternative pre-mRNA splicing is a promising potential diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarker for the identification of pathogenic impacts in DLBCL. The use of these potential biomarkers in the clinical management of DLBCL awaits prospective clinical validation supporting its potential to contribute to the shift towards more personalised medicine.
Myc Is Required for the Maintenance of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Latency

ABSTRACT Myc is deregulated by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) latent proteins, but its role in KSHV latency is not clear. We found that Myc knockdown with RNA interference (RNAi) induced KSHV reactivation and increased the protein and mRNA levels of RTA, a key viral regulator of KSHV reactivation. Myc knockdown increased, whereas Myc overexpression inhibited, RTA promoter activity. KSHV reactivation and the activation of the RTA promoter induced by Myc depletion were inhibited by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 inhibitors but not by a MEK1 inhibitor. Myc knockdown inhibited primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cell proliferation through inducing apoptosis and G1 cell cycle arrest. Thus, Myc may be a key cellular node coupling cellular transformation and KSHV latency.
Cooperative vs Competitive: Filosofi Keseimbangan “Yin-Yang” dalam Hubungan Interdependency

Teori ini 1 dikembangkan oleh Morton Deutsch (1949a, 1949b, 1973, 1985) dan juga diuraikan oleh David W. Johnson (Johnson & Johnson, 1989). Cooperative– Competitive merupakan salah satu teori dalam psikologi sosial yang dikemukakan oleh Morton Deutch. Ilmuan evolusi sosial mengatakan bahwa altruisme manusia dan kerjasama adalah hasil dari sejarah spesies yang unik “konflik antar kelompok dan perang” (Alexander, 1987; Buss, 1999; Campbell, 1975; Tooby & Cosmides, 1988), dapat diartikan bahwa konflik antar kelompok telah membentuk psikologi dan perilaku manusia khususnya (Vugt, Gremer, & Janssen 2007). Penelitian psikologi sosial konsisten dengan ide ini. Dalam hal ini manusia spontan membuat perbandingan “kita vs mereka” kategorisasi dan cepat mengembangkan aspek emosional dalam kelompok bahkan ketika keanggotaan didasarkan pada kriteria yang sederhana, seperti flip koin (Brewer, 1979; Ostrom & Sedikides, 1992; Tajfel & Turner, 1979). Manusia juga mudah melakukan tindakan diskriminasi terhadap anggota dari luar kelompok (Fiske, 2002) dan terlibat dalam tindakan altruistik untuk membela kelompok mereka (De Cremer & Van Vugt, 1999; Sherif , 1966).
The Development of Conceptual, Mathematical and System Dynamics Model for Food Industry Wastewater Purifying System

Paper presents the development conceptual, mathematical and computer models of wastewater purifying system of organic matter. The conceptual model was developed as a Diagram Cycle Activity and Cause-Effect Diagram. The mathematical model is set up based on the system of differential-difference equations. The Runge-Kutta method was using to solve equations system. Computer model was created by Powersim Constructor v. 2.51. In each system’s component, using the Runge-Kutta method, generates the difference equation. A computer model for variable uses randomly chosen values from the theoretical probability distribution of variable was applied. For the validation of the model, as the distributions are asymmetrical non-Gaussian distributions, applied non-parametric test. For two independent samples was used to rank sum test (the Mann-Whitney U-test). After proving that the model describes well the actual system is designed experiment with concentrations of organic matter in the unpurified food industry wastewater.
Constrained nonlinear receding horizon control using artificial potential

Nonlinear receding horizon control (NRHC) has attracted much attention in recent years. NRHC can implement various constraints; however, the numerical computation frequently become unstable due to such constraints. The algorithm by using a barrier function for inequality constraint was proposed for the problem. However, the control performance with the algorithm is not sufficient. In this paper, we clarify the problem in the RH control with inequality constraints. Then, we propose a constrained NRHC method by using artificial potential for the problem. Finally, we confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control method by computer simulation of the obstacle avoidance of the robot arm.
Role of the male BmDSX protein in the sexual differentiation of Bombyx mori

Summary The sex determination pathway is different between Drosophila melanogaster and Bombyx mori in the initial signal. Here we show evidence that the sex determination pathway in B. mori is similar to that of D. melanogaster at the level of the terminal regulator, doublesex (dsx), which is essential for the proper differentiation of the sexually dimorphic somatic features of D. melanogaster. In B. mori, a homolog of dsx (Bmdsx) is expressed in various tissues, and its primary transcript is alternatively spliced in males and females to yield sex‐specific mRNAs that encode male‐specific (BmDSXM) and female‐specific (BmDSXF) polypeptides. In the studies reported here, transgenic silkworms carrying a construct with a Bmdsx male cDNA placed under the control of either an hsp70 promoter or a Bombyx actin3 promoter were generated by piggyBac‐mediated germline transformation. Ectopic expression of the male cDNA in females resulted in abnormal differentiation of certain female‐specific genital organs and caused partial male differentiation in female genitalia. Transgenic analysis also revealed that the expression of BmDSXM in females caused repression of the female‐specifically expressed gene, the vitellogenin gene, and also resulted in activation of the pheromone‐binding protein gene that is dominantly expressed in males. These results provide evidence that the role of BmDSXM includes the activation of some aspects of male differentiation as well as the repression of female differentiation. Taken together with our previous data on the function of BmDSXF, we can conclude that Bmdsx is a double‐switch gene at the final step in the sex‐determination cascade of B. mori.
Multiband and Compact WCDMA/WLAN Antenna for Mobile Equipment

A compact, multiband, planar, and low-profile wide- band code division multiple access (WCDMA)AVLAN antenna is presented in this letter. A metallized dielectric loading technique using a low-cost FR4-type material has been implemented to achieve a small footprint of 18 × 21 mm2 instead of using expensive ceramics. The WCDMA/WLAN antenna achieves multiband operation with good impedance matching and radiation behavior. Antenna measurements are presented to validate the simulations.
A basic property of axial type Switched Reluctance Motor

This paper describes about a designed axial type Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) which intends to improve the output torque characteristic. The axial type structure has some advantages. One of the advantages is an increasing air gap dimension. Because the air gap dimension of the axial type motor is depended on the radial length, while an air gap dimension of the radial type motor is depended on the axial length. This advantage is expected to increase the inductance and the output torque. This paper shows the study of axial type SRM designed method and the basic property of the design motor by comparing the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) results with experiment results.
Investigation of the in vitro activities of various antibiotics against Brucella melitensis strains

To assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of Brucella melitensis strains in our region. Brucellosis is a common disease in Turkey. Moreover, difficulties are encountered in the treatment process, such as long-lasting therapy, relapses, and side effects of drugs. Hence, novel treatment approaches and the susceptibility of current antibiotics are vital. Materials and methods: Thirty-four Brucella spp. isolated from blood samples of patients with brucellosis were included. Minimal inhibitory concentrations for tetracycline, rifampicin, streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, ceftriaxone, and levofloxacin were detected by broth microdilution. Results: Tetracycline had the lowest and streptomycin the highest MIC50 and MIC90 values, respectively. A total of 5 strains were intermediate-susceptible and 1 strain was resistant to rifampicin. Conclusion: Doxycycline and tetracycline seem to be quite effective antibiotics against Brucella melitensis strains. Although streptomycin and rifampicin have high MIC levels against Brucella melitensis strains in our region, inconsistencies between in vitro susceptibility and in vivo activity should be considered.
Relationship between eating and social behaviours in a normal population

The present study investigated the range of eating attitudes and social adjustment abilities of a normal population in relation to BMI, age and gender. The study consisted of 482 university and secondary education students ranging from 12 to 45 years of age (mean 20.57 ± 5.03 years). Mean B-WISE scale and EAT-26 subscale scores were compared among age, BMI and gender subgroups. Results revealed that adolescents and individuals deviating from a healthy BMI were more apt to adopt disordered eating behaviour patterns. BMI, age and gender were related to specific eating attitude sub factors; according to ANOVA results, significant differences were established a) for the “oral control” subscale among age, gender and BMI, and b) for the “dieting” subscale among gender and BMI. The psychosocial impact of weight was a significant predictor of dieting and bulimic behaviour. According to the results, there is a wide range of eating attitudes in the normal population, whereas traditionally, groups more sensitive to disordered eating patterns could be defined. With regard to psychosocial adjustment abilities, adolescents and males were revealed to be adopting more high-risk social behaviour associated with eating disorders. Finally, it was observed that the more extreme the eating behaviour the weaker the core and stability among the normal population; consequently the stronger the mobility between the normal and disordered population. Adoption of healthy lifestyle patterns that provide positive body image, weight satisfaction and healthy eating behaviour, are recommended.
Deterministically Encoding Quantum Information Using 100-Photon Schrödinger Cat States

Coherently Controlling Large Cats The control and manipulation of quantum information based on superconducting circuits is an attractive route because of the possibility of scale-up. Vlastakis et al. (p. 607, published online 26 September; see the Perspective by Leek) were able to generate and control quantum entanglement between a superconducting qubit and hundreds of photons stored in a cavity resonator by using deterministic methods for on-demand generation of large Schrödinger cat states in a microwave cavity with arbitrary size and phase. The ability to map the state of a qubit to large Schrödinger cat states should provide a robust quantum resource in future quantum-based technologies. A scheme is demonstrated for coherently mapping the state of a single superconducting qubit onto a large number of photons. [Also see Perspective by Leek] In contrast to a single quantum bit, an oscillator can store multiple excitations and coherences provided one has the ability to generate and manipulate complex multiphoton states. We demonstrate multiphoton control by using a superconducting transmon qubit coupled to a waveguide cavity resonator with a highly ideal off-resonant coupling. This dispersive interaction is much greater than decoherence rates and higher-order nonlinearities to allow simultaneous manipulation of hundreds of photons. With a tool set of conditional qubit-photon logic, we mapped an arbitrary qubit state to a superposition of coherent states, known as a “cat state. ” We created cat states as large as 111 photons and extended this protocol to create superpositions of up to four coherent states. This control creates a powerful interface between discrete and continuous variable quantum computation and could enable applications in metrology and quantum information processing.
Stress System – Organization, Physiology and Immunoregulation

Stress is defined as a state of threatened homeostasis. The principal effectors of the stress system include corticotropin-releasing hormone, arginine vasopressin, the glucocorticoids, and the catecholamines norepinephrine and epinephrine. Activation of the stress system leads to adaptive behavioral and physical changes. The principal stress hormones glucocorticoids and catecholamines affect major immune functions such as antigen presentation, leukocyte proliferation and traffic, secretion of cytokines and antibodies, and selection of the T helper (Th) 1 versus Th2 responses. A fully fledged systemic inflammatory reaction results in stimulation of the stress response, which in turn, through induction of a Th2 shift protects the organism from systemic overshooting with Th1/pro-inflammatory cytokines. Stress is often regarded as immunosuppressive, but recent evidence indicates that stress hormones influence the immune response in a less monochromatic way – systemically they inhibit Th1/pro-inflammatory responses and induce a Th2 shift, whereas in certain local responses they promote pro-inflammatory cytokine production and activation of the corticotropin-releasing hormone-mast cell-histamine axis. Through this mechanism a hyper- or hypoactive stress system associated with abnormalities of the systemic anti-inflammatory feedback and/or hyperactivity of the local pro-inflammatory factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation and immune-related diseases.