Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Estonian partitive evidential: Some notes on the semantic parallels between aspect and evidential categories

This article shows that the Estonian partitive evidential marks predicates in sentences that express incomplete evidence. Partitive occurs in the categories of aspect, epistemic modality, and evidentiality, marking objects and present participles. Despite the difference in syntax, the semantics of these categories is based on parallel relationships. More specifically, the aspectual partitive marks objects in sentences describing incomplete events, and the partitive evidential appears in sentences that encode incomplete evidence compared to the expectation of complete evidence.
A Strategy for Probing the Function of Noncoding RNAs Finds a Repressor of NFAT

Noncoding RNA molecules (ncRNAs) have been implicated in numerous biological processes including transcriptional regulation and the modulation of protein function. Yet, in spite of the apparent abundance of ncRNA, little is known about the biological role of the projected thousands of ncRNA genes present in the human genome. To facilitate functional analysis of these RNAs, we have created an arrayed library of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) directed against 512 evolutionarily conserved putative ncRNAs and, via cell-based assays, we have begun to determine their roles in cellular pathways. Using this system, we have identified an ncRNA repressor of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), which interacts with multiple proteins including members of the importin-beta superfamily and likely functions as a specific regulator of NFAT nuclear trafficking.
Quantitative Detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis DNA in Blood To Diagnose Bacteremia in Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

ABSTRACT Direct detection of bacterial DNA in blood offers a fast alternative to blood culture and is presumably unaffected by the prior use of antibiotics. We evaluated the performance of two real-time PCR assays for the quantitative detection of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and for Enterococcus faecalis bacteremia directly in blood samples, without prior cultivation. Whole-blood samples for PCR were obtained simultaneously with blood cultures from patients admitted to the intensive care unit of our hospital. After the extraction of DNA from 200 μl of blood, real-time PCR was performed for the specific detection and quantification of S. aureus and E. faecalis DNA. The sensitivity for bacteremia of the S. aureus PCR was 75% and that of the E. faecalis PCR was 73%, and both tests had high specificity values (93 and 96%, respectively). PCR amplification reactions were positive for S. aureus for 10 (7%) blood samples with negative blood cultures, and 7 (4%) PCR reactions were positive for E. faecalis. The majority of these PCR results were likely (50%) or possibly (42%) related to infection with the specific microorganism, based on clinical data and radiological and microbiological investigations. PCR results were concordant for 95% of paired whole-blood samples, and blood culture results were concordant for 97% of the paired samples. We conclude that the detection of S. aureus and E. faecalis DNA in blood by real-time PCR enables a rapid diagnosis of bacteremia and that a positive DNAemia is related to proven or possible infection with the specific microorganism in the majority of patients with negative blood cultures.
A high frequency, high efficiency GaN HFET based inductive power transfer system

This paper aims to develop an Inductive Power Transfer (IPT) system targeting at Electric Vehicles (EV) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV). IPT systems provide significant benefits over conventional plug-in chargers. However, in order for IPT to be adopted for EV charging, efficiency is a key Figure of Merit (FOM) which needs to be achieved. This paper develops an inverter using Gallium Nitride (GaN) power transistors which have the benefit of low on-resistance and gate charge to reduce the switching and conduction loss. A design methodology for optimising the switching performance of the power transistor is developed in order to minimise switching loss while keeping overshoot under control. An efficiency centric control method is proposed to improve the efficiency of the system, while ensuring sufficient power transfer. The evaluation results show that a GaN based system is capable of outperforming a SiC based system. At a gap of 150mm, the system obtains above 90% efficiency at 1.3 kW. The system efficiency peaks at 95% at 100 kHz operation and 92% at 250 kHz operation at a distance of 80mm for 2kW output power.
The unpredictable epidemiology of Dictyocaulus viviparus lungworm infection of cattle

Together, helminth parasites are the most important animal health constraint to global ruminant livestock production. Better control of gastrointestinal and lungworm nematodes (and liver flukes) in Irish and UK cattle is a priority to meet the need for food security through efficient livestock production. Persistent acting macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics are convenient to use and highly effective against the main gastrointestinal roundworm parasites of cattle, Ostertagia ostertagi. Most cattle farmers worldwide depend upon the use of macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics for the control of nematode parasites, creating a scenario whereby global ruminant livestock production would be untenable without these drugs. Macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic treatment programmes aimed at the control of O ostertagi sometimes create opportunities for completion of the life cycles of other parasites, such as Cooperia spp and Nematodirus helvetianus gastrointestinal worms, and Dictyocaulus viviparus lungworms. Consequently, in many parts of Ireland and the UK, D viviparus has become the major parasitic roundworm challenge to cattle production.
Scenarios Simulation of Urbanization and Ecological Environment Coupling in Jiangsu Province by System Dynamic Model

According to the connotation of urbanization and eco environment coupling,the system dynamic model of Jiangsu,s urbanization and eco environment coupling has been designed by means of ISM and SD method.Based on Jiangsu,s serial statistical data from 1990 to 2003,the five scenarios of coupling models during 2000-2015 have been simulated.The results show that: Firstly,there exist significantly differences among the five development models,which show both comparative advantages and drawbacks.Secondly,according to the characteristics and regional disparities of Jiangsu development and the general rule of world urbanization,it is revealed that only when either population urbanization model or society urbanization model to be adopted correspondingly can the sustainable development among population,economy,urbanization and eco environment be realized.
Exploring the care experience of patients undergoing spinal surgery: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE This exploratory study sought to explore the patient experience of the surgical journey from decision to operate, to hospitalization, discharge and subsequent recovery. DESIGN Patients attended one of two focus group discussions. PATIENT SAMPLE Seven patients that had undergone surgery for spinal stenosis or disc prolapsed participated, aged between 48-75 years (mean age 59); five were male. METHODS Patients' attitudes towards the information and care they received from the point of the decision to operate through to post-operative recovery were explored. Particular attention was paid to patients' information needs, support provided, general understanding of the processes and ways in which care could have been improved. RESULTS Patients identified nine main 'needs' they felt played an integral part in enhancing the patient experience including the need for reduced waiting times, for better information and preparation, to be proactive, to speak up and ask questions, to feel safe and to be treated with dignity and respect; and the need for ongoing support, human contact, and; continuity of care. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that there are several measures that could be taken to improve the patient's surgical experience. In particular, providing appropriate information to patients in a timely manner and ensuring that support and advice is easily accessible for those patients that need it are key areas for improvement.
Non-droop methods for context-sensitive sharing in multi-module switching converters

This paper introduces automatic methods that support intentional nonuniform power or current sharing in multi-module DC-DC converter configurations. Sharing that is proportional to ratings or to external weighting values is supported. The methods extend to input-series output-parallel and input-parallel output-series connections as well as to conventional parallel-parallel configurations.
Resource trading in cloud environments for utility maximisation using game theoretic modelling approach

We develop a novel auction-based scheme for trading free processors in cloud computing environment. Our scheme allows clients to fairly compete for the offered processors. Second-price auction is used where each client bids for the processors. The client that makes the higher bid wins the auction and starts using the processors for executing its jobs. The winner pays the second highest bid. Maximising profit is the key objective for the cloud provider (CP). The optimisation problem of renting processors on the cloud market is a complex and challenging task. The proposed mechanism takes into account the market demand and the economic concerns for the CP and clients. Within this context, we show the existence of a Nash equilibrium which leads to a unique allocation under certain processors distribution. Numerical analysis stresses the ability of our approach to maximise the client's utility under varying cloud environment conditions.
A novel surface modification method to achieve low impedance neural microelectrode arrays

Advances in neuroprostheses are strongly dependent on the development of microelectrodes with an enhanced ability to selectively record or stimulate neural signals. Selectivity for a microelectrode depends on its ability to interact with a small number of neurons and/or nerve fibers. In order to achieve selective electrical transduction, the surface area of active site should be on the order of tens of micrometers. However, as the area of the electrode decreases, the electrode impedance increases, which in turn affects the recording/stimulating characteristics (sensitivity). Thus there is a trade-off between selectivity and sensitivity. One option to overcome this trade-off is by generating a large functional active area without increasing the geometrical surface area (GSA) of the electrodes. This paper for the first time reports a novel method of using a combination of SF6 and O2 based reactive ion etching (RIE), to modify the surface of electrodes tip, in order to increase the RSA without increasing the GSA. The study demonstrates that by altering the surface morphology of the electrode tips, the impedance can be lowered significantly. The optimum etching power was 250 W which yielded mechanically robust, high charge storage capacity (CSC), and low electrochemical impedance surface.
Surveillance and outbreak reports Surveillance of tularaemia in Kosovo * , 2001 to 2010

Tularaemia, caused by Francisella tularensis, had not been registered in Kosovo* before an outbreak in 1999 and 2000. A national surveillance system has been implemented in Kosovo* since 2000 to monitor a number of diseases, including tularaemia. Antibody detection in human sera was used for laboratory diagnosis of tularaemia and F. tularensis lipopolysaccharide antigen was used as a marker of infection. The purpose of this study is to describe the incidence of tularaemia in Kosovo* after the 1999–00 outbreak. In 2001 and 2002, a second outbreak occurred, with 327 serologically confirmed cases. From 2001 to 2010, 25–327 cases were registered per year, giving a mean annual incidence of 5.2 per 100,000 population. The most likely sources of infection were contaminated drinking water and food. The dominant clinical manifestations were the glandular (79%) and ulcero-glandular (21%) forms. By 2010, the disease had spread throughout Kosovo*. Presumably as a result of war and subsequent environmental disruption, mass population displacement and breakdown of sanitation and hygiene, the two major outbreaks of tularaemia resulted in the establishment of an active endemic area of tularaemia in Kosovo*.
Sliding-Mode Observer-Based Mechanical Parameter Estimation for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor

A mechanical parameter estimation algorithm for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive systems based on sliding-mode observer is proposed in this paper. First, an extended sliding-mode mechanical parameter observer (ESMMPO) is presented to track system disturbances in real time, which include the information of mechanical parameters. Based on this ESMMPO, the mechanical parameter can be extracted from the estimated system disturbance. Therefore, a simple algorithm for mechanical parameter estimation of the PMSM control system is presented. The parameter choice guidelines of ESMMPO are designed to guarantee the global stability of the observer. Then, the equivalent low-pass filter function of the ESMMPO is presented to suppress the sliding-mode chattering, which allows softening the output signal of observer while maintaining no phase lag incurring. Therefore, the smooth output of the ESMMPO can be directly used for the parameter estimation. Experimental results show the validity of the proposed parameter estimation approach.
An innovative chip-to-wafer and wafer-to-wafer stacking

Abundant three-dimensional packaging technologies were developed for chip-to-wafer or wafer-to-wafer bonding, which employed through silicon interconnect to achieve the shortest circuit design of inter-chip or inter-wafer. In this paper, we focused on the wafer stacking technology by introducing silicon-through three-dimensional interconnect. The innovative structure as shown here is a new concept of three-dimensional integration of via-preformed silicon through wafers. Compared to the recently research of 3D chip-to-wafer or wafer-to-wafer stacking, it demonstrated of wafer stacking using this reliable design. The wafer/chip thickness used here was 150 mum and down to 50 mum. The result shows the benefits of this structure can provide more reliable wafer stacking without any voids. Not only the assembly accuracy of the joint between two chips/wafers can be reduced, but we can get improvement of the yield of the whole wafer during the wafer bonding process, even the thickness uniformity of the wafer is higher than 10%. The experiment confirmed that this newly low-cost interconnect technology could be a good candidate for both wafer stacking application and 3D SiP module
Comparison of cardiac output measurement using the CardioQPTM oesophageal Doppler with cardiac output measurement using thermodilution technique in children during heart catheterisation *

The minimally invasive CardioQPTM oesophageal Doppler probe estimates cardiac output by measuring blood flow velocity in the descending aorta. Individual variables to enter are patient’s age, weight and height. We measured cardiac output simultaneously with CardioQP and pulmonary artery catheter thermodilution techniques during heart catheterisation in 40 paediatric patients with congenital heart defects. Median [range] age was 8.2 years [0.5–16.7 years], cardiac output values measured by thermodilution and CardioQP were 3.6 l.min−1 [1.2–7.1 l.min−1] and 3.0 l.min−1 [0.7–6.7 l.min−1], respectively. These values showed only moderate correlation (r = 0.809; p < 0.0001). Bias and precision were 0.66 l.min−1 and 1.79 l.min−1 (95% limits of agreement: −1.13 to +2.45 l.min−1). Based on our preliminary experience, cardiac output values measured by CardioQP in children do not reliably represent cardiac output values compared with the thermodilution technique. We suggest measurement of individual aortic diameter to improve performance of the CardioQP.
Attenuation of Donor‐Reactive T Cells Allows Effective Control of Allograft Rejection Using Regulatory T Cell Therapy

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for the establishment and maintenance of immune tolerance, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for Tregs in transplantation. However, Treg administration alone is insufficient in inducing long‐term allograft survival in normal hosts, likely due to the high frequency of alloreactive T cells. We hypothesized that a targeted reduction of alloreactive T effector cells would allow a therapeutic window for Treg efficacy. Here we show that preconditioning recipient mice with donor‐specific transfusion followed by cyclophosphamide treatment deleted 70–80% donor‐reactive T cells, but failed to prolong islet allograft survival. However, infusion of either 5 × 106 Tregs with direct donor reactivity or 25 × 106 polyclonal Tregs led to indefinite survival of BALB/c islets in more than 70% of preconditioned C57BL/6 recipients. Notably, protection of C3H islets in autoimmune nonobese diabetic mice required islet autoantigen‐specific Tregs together with polyclonal Tregs. Treg therapy led to significant reduction of CD8+ T cells and concomitant increase in endogenous Tregs among graft‐infiltrating cells early after transplantation. Together, these results demonstrate that reduction of the donor‐reactive T cells will be an important component of Treg‐based therapies in transplantation.
Performance of 2D-Grating couplers designed through full 3D-FDTD numerical simulations

By bridging the dimensional gap between fiber mode and Silicon On Insulator (SOI) layer thickness, 1D and 2D-Grating couplers (GCs) represent promising solutions to the challenge of coupling light into silicon photonics circuits. Considerable work has been done over the last decade towards optimization 1D-GCs, that nevertheless exhibit a very strong sensitivity to the input polarisation state of the fiber, which makes them unsuitable for many inter-system coupling applications. Recently, a new strategy based on a full 3D-FDTD (finite difference time domain) calculations has been proposed to describe 2D-GC operation, and optimize their performance.
Tumour necrosis factor gene polymorphisms and migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Data on the association between TNFα and TNFβ gene polymorphisms and migraine are conflicting. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published until January 2011. We used data from published papers and as provided after contact with the authors. We calculated study specific odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) assuming additive, dominant, and recessive genetic models as well as pooled effect estimates. Results: Among the ten studies identified, the best evidence is available for the TNFα −308G>A and TNFβ 252A > G polymorphisms indicating no overall association with migraine. Subgroup analyses suggested that the A allele of the TNFα −308G > A variant more than doubles the risk for migraine among populations with a heterogeneous ethnic background, which was driven by associations for migraine without aura (additive model: pooled OR = 2.87, 95% CI 1.86–4.43). Further, the risk for migraine with aura was increased among Asian populations (additive model: pooled OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.07–2.71). Both observed effects were stronger among females than males. Conclusions: Our results indicate no overall association between TNFα and TNFβ gene variants and migraine. However, associations differed among specific populations. Our findings need to be treated with caution and further targeted research is warranted to evaluate population-specific effects including population stratification.
Poor Communication in Cancer Care: Patient Perspectives on What It Is and What to Do About It

Background: Communication in cancer care is a recognized problem for patients. Research to date has provided limited relevant knowledge toward solving this problem. Objective: Our research program aims to understand helpful and unhelpful communication from the patient perspective and to document changes in patient needs and priorities over time. In this analysis, we focus on patient perceptions of poor communication. Methods: Using a qualitative longitudinal approach informed by interpretive description methodology, we are following a cohort of adult cancer patients across their cancer journey. We used constant comparative analysis of repeated interviews to examine thematic patterns in their perceptions and interpret both commonalities and diversities. Results: Patient accounts reveal 3 types of poor communication. “Ordinary misses” are everyday missteps for which maturation and socialization may be an adequate solution. “Systemic misunderstandings” are assumptive gaps between patients and professionals, which may be addressed through qualitative research. “Repeat offenders” are a subset of clinicians whose communication patterns become a particular source of patient distress. Conclusions: This typology offers a novel way to conceptualize the problem of poor communication in cancer care toward more effective solutions for the communication problem. Managing the communication of a problematic subset of clinicians will likely require strategic interventions at the level of organizational culture and models of care. Implications for Practice: Nurses can play a meaningful role in detecting and buffering sources of poor communication in the practice context. Addressing poor communication may be a further reason to advocate for interprofessional team-based care models.
l‐DOPA supply to the neuro retina activates dopaminergic communication at the early stages of embryonic development

DOPA decarboxylase (DDC; aromatic‐l‐amino acid decarboxylase; EC 4.1.1.28) is absent in retinas from 6‐day‐old chicken embryos (E6) but is expressed in retina of E8 embryos, in the presumptive outer plexiform layer. Thereafter, DDC appears in cell bodies of presumptive amacrine cells. The dopamine (DA) content of E9/10 and E15/16 retinas, pre‐incubated with l‐DOPA for 1 h, increased 250‐ and 600‐fold, respectively, showing that DDC is active since early in development. Intercellular communication, measured by endogenous cyclic AMP accumulation, was observed when retinas from E9/10 to E15/16 were pre‐incubated for 1 h with 1 mm l‐DOPA, washed and followed by incubation in the presence of 0.5 mm 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Cyclic AMP accumulation was prevented when pre‐incubation with l‐DOPA was carried out in the presence of carbidopa. Moreover, the accumulation of cyclic AMP was inhibited by SCH 23390 (2 µm). The incubation of retinas in medium previously conditioned by retina‐pigmented epithelium (RPE) also increased its cyclic AMP content with the characteristics described for l‐DOPA. Our results show that dopaminergic communication takes place in the embryonic retina, before tyrosine hydroxylase expression, provided l‐DOPA is supplied to the tissue. It also shows that RPE is a potential source of l‐DOPA early in development.