Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A second-generation inhaled insulin for diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE The pharmacologic properties of a recently approved inhaled insulin product, its unique delivery system, and the results of clinical safety and efficacy trials are reviewed. SUMMARY Afrezza (also called Technosphere Insulin, MannKind Corporation, Valencia, CA) is a novel ultrarapid-acting insulin formulation indicated for use in improving glycemic control in selected patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Afrezza is not intended as a substitute for traditional basal therapy with injectable long-acting insulin but may be used to provide prandial insulin coverage; it must be used in combination with long-acting insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes. Administered before meals using a dry-powder inhalation device, Afrezza is formulated with a novel excipient (fumaryl diketopiperazine) that dissolves instantly in lung fluid and releases recombinant human insulin for absorption. In clinical trials, rates of hypoglycemia in Afrezza-treated patients were significantly lower than rates reported in comparator groups receiving injectable insulin products. The most commonly reported adverse effect of Afrezza is coughing, which tends to occur shortly after inhalation and is typically mild. Afrezza is not recommended for use in patients who smoke (or have recently stopped smoking) and those with a chronic lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Afrezza is not recommended for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis. CONCLUSION Afrezza is a safe and effective treatment for selected adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, potentially providing an alternative to injectable insulin for prandial blood glucose control.
Particle Filter for Collaborative Multi-Robot Localization Tolerant to Recognition Error

Statistical algorithms using particle filters have been proposed previously for collaborative multi-robot localization. In these algorithms, by synchronizing each robot's belief or exchanging the particles of the robots, fast and accurate localization is attained. However, there algorithms assume correct recognition of other robots and the effects of recognition error are not considered. If the recognition of other robots is incorrect, a large amount of error in localization can occur. This paper describes this problem. Furthermore, in order to cope with the problem, an algorithm for collaborative multi-robot localization is proposed. In the proposed algorithm, the particles of a robot are exchanged with those of other robots according to measurement results obtained by the sending robot. At the same time, some particles remain in the sending robot. Received particles from other robots are evaluated using measurement results obtained by the receiving robot. The proposed method copes with recognition error by using the remaining particles, and increases the accuracy of estimation by twice evaluating the exchanged particles of the sending and receiving robots. These properties of the proposed method are argued mathematically. Simulation results show that incorrect recognition of other robots does not cause serious problems in the proposed method.
An architecture and a visual interface for tagging the 3D web

Content classification performed by end users is spreading through the web. Most of the work done so far is related to the hypermedia web. In spite of that, there is a growing mass of 3D content that is not associated to high-level information. This situation prevents any advanced use of the data available, such as searching, extraction or automatic manipulation of such content. In the last few years there have been a number of approaches for adding metadata to 3D content, but most of them use a top-down, designer driven, classification. This work proposes a different approach based on a bottom-up, user driven, classification. A web based architecture for tagging and browsing 3D objects and worlds is presented and applied to a case study related to the cultural heritage domain.
Roguelike + + Analyzing class features and expressiveness

1 SUMMARY In this project, we explore class functionality under the course concept of expressiveness by extending our class implementation in Assignment 2: Roguelike. More specifically, we implemented the following class features: states and a combination of components and mixins. In order to evaluate the effectiveness, for each of the new class features, we developed an additional feature to the Roguelike game. By implementing new game features using our new class features, we were able to see how effective the class features were in terms of creating a new immortal state for the hero and adding game items that influence gameplay.
Role of Steroids in the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

Macular edema is a major cause of significant visual impairments and is seen in several eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, and retinal vein occlusion. Diabetic macular edema (DME) remains the predominant cause of vision impairment in people with diabetes. In the Wisconsin Epidemiological Study of Diabetic Retinopathy, DME was also found to develop in 20.1% of people with type I diabetes and 25.4% of people with insulin-dependent type II diabetes over a 10 year period.
Investigating the educational value of social learning networks: a quantitative analysis

Purpose The emergence of Education 2.0 enabled technology-enhanced learning, necessitating new pedagogical approaches, while e-learning has evolved into an instrumental pedagogy of collaboration through affordances of social media. Social learning networks and ubiquitous learning enabled individual and group learning through social engagement and social distribution of knowledge. Nevertheless, these developments have not been supported with extensive studies focusing on quantifying the impact of technology-enhanced learning on students’ progress and achievement. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a quantitative overview of Facebook’s influence on students’ progress can be incorporated in a proposed e-moderation model of teaching and learning. Design/methodology/approach The approach is based on extending Salmon’s (2003) e-moderation model, which provides an emphasis on the theoretical perspectives that support socially situated learning environments of social networks such as Facebook. The findings revealed that students’ grades were positively influenced by the complementary use of Facebook on their courses of study. Findings The use of a social learning network also triggered a significant increase in student participation in learning activities delivered over Facebook. Research limitations/implications The main research limitations were due to the fact that a single social network was chosen for conducting the experiments. Furthermore, the investigation was narrowed down to a selected range of sessions offered to college and university students as part of their course. Originality/value The paper’s contribution is twofold, as it offers an original set of guidelines for conducting social learning network experiments and provides valuable quantifiable findings on the educational value of such networks.
Outsourcing Information Security

This comprehensive and timely resource examines security risks related to IT outsourcing, clearly showing you how to recognize, evaluate, minimize, and manage these risks. Unique in its scope, this single volume offers you complete coverage of the whole range of IT security services and fully treats the IT security concerns of outsourcing. The book helps you deepen your knowledge of the tangible and intangible costs and benefits associated with outsourcing IT and IS functions. Moreover, it enables you to determine which information security functions should be performed by a third party, better manage third-party relationships, and ensure that any functions handed over to a third party meet good security standards. From discussions on the IT outsourcing marketplace and the pros and cons of the IT outsourcing decision process, to a look at IT and IS service provider relationships and trends affecting outsourcing, this essential reference provides insight into how organizations are addressing some of the more thorny issues of IT and security outsourcing.
Induction of Interleukin‐6 Release from Monocytes by Serine Proteinases and its Potential Mechanisms

Serine proteinases have been recognized playing an important role in inflammation via proteinase‐activated receptors (PAR). However, little is known of the influence of serine proteinases and PAR on interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) secretion from highly purified monocytes. We challenged monocytes from human peripheral blood with serine proteinases and agonist peptides of PAR and measured the levels of IL‐6, IL‐1β and IL‐12 in culture supernatants by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that thrombin, trypsin, tryptase and elastase stimulated approximately up to 2.9‐, 2.0‐, 1.8‐ and 2.1‐fold increase in IL‐6 release from monocytes following 16 h of incubation, respectively. Proteinase inhibitors inhibited the actions of proteinases on monocytes. Agonist peptides of PAR‐1 (SFLLR‐NH3) and PAR‐4 (GYPGQV‐NH2), but not PAR‐3 (TFRGAP‐NH2), also induced IL‐6 release from monocytes. The proteinases and agonists of PAR failed to stimulate IL‐1β and IL‐12 secretion. In conclusion, the induction of IL‐6 secretion by serine proteinases may be through the activation of PAR.
Gestão de multinacionais: análise de trajetórias de internacionalização de empresas brasileiras e de estratégias de gestão de subsidiárias.

Resumo As modificações do ambiente competitivo vêm provocando alterações nas estratégias das empresas e contribuindo com o processo de internacionalização, e o Brasil está inserido neste processo. O objetivo em questão é entender qual tem sido a trajetória das empresas brasileiras. Este trabalho analisa a gestão das subsidiárias de empresas brasileiras e os diferentes papéis dessas, pretendendo obter um retrato do cenário atual destas empresas e compreender a dinâmica entre matriz e subsidiárias. Foi realizada pesquisa qualitativa que mostrou que não é possível estabelecer um modelo de gestão típico para as subsidiárias, isto é, não existe alinhamento ótimo entre os elementos da estratégia de gestão da empresa – atribuição da subsidiária, grau de autonomia dos gestores, nível de transações de conhecimento, nível de atividades técnicas e mecanismos de gestão. Conclui-se que o alinhamento é dependente da estratégia, que por sua vez é estabelecida em função da análise do ambiente econômico.
Critical Role of OX40 in CD28 and CD154-Independent Rejection1

Blocking both CD28 and CD154 costimulatory pathways can induce transplant tolerance in some, but not all, transplant models. Under stringent conditions, however, this protocol often completely fails to block allograft rejection. The precise nature of such CD28/CD154 blockade-resistant rejection is largely unknown. In the present study we developed a new model in which both CD28 and CD154, two conventional T cell costimulatory molecules, are genetically knocked out (i.e., CD28/CD154 double-knockout (DKO) mice) and used this model to examine the role of novel costimulatory molecule-inducible costimulator (ICOS), OX40, 4-1BB, and CD27 in mediating CD28/CD154-independent rejection. We found that CD28/CD154 DKO mice vigorously rejected fully MHC-mismatched DBA/2 skin allografts (mean survival time, 12 days; n = 6) compared with the wild-type controls (mean survival time, 8 days; n = 7). OX40 costimulation is critically important in skin allograft rejection in this model, as blocking the OX40/OX40 ligand pathway, but not the ICOS/ICOS ligand, 4-1BB/4-1BBL, or CD27/CD70 pathway, markedly prolonged skin allograft survival in CD28/CD154 DKO mice. The critical role of OX40 costimulation in CD28/CD154-independent rejection is further confirmed in wild-type C57BL/6 mice, as blocking the OX40/OX40 ligand pathway in combination with CD28/CD154 blockade induced long term skin allograft survival (>100 days; n = 5). Our study revealed a key cellular mechanism of rejection and identified OX40 as a critical alternative costimulatory molecule in CD28/CD154-independent rejection.
Reputation in P2P Anonymity Systems

Decentralized anonymity systems tend to be unreliable, because users must choose nodes in the network without knowing the entire state of the network. Reputation systems promise to improve reliability by predicting network state. In this paper we focus on anonymous remailers and anonymous publishing, explain why the systems can benefit from reputation, and describe our experiences designing reputation systems for them while still ensuring anonymity. We find that in each example we first must redesign the underlying anonymity system to support verifiable transactions.
Size-Controlled Synthesis of Spherical TiO2 Nanoparticles: Morphology, Crystallization, and Phase Transition

Obtaining spherical-shaped semiconductor nanoparticles of uniform size is essential for the fabrication of photonic crystals. We report the synthesis of nanometer-size spherical titania particles with narrow size distribution from glycolated precursors. Through controlled hydrolysis of glycolated precursors, particles of 683 to 50 nm average diameters, with narrow size distribution, could be produced for the first time. Effects of air annealing on the morphology, size shrinkage, and phase transition of the nanoparticles are studied by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and high-resolution electron microscopy techniques. Probable mechanisms for formation of titania nanoparticles and their size control are discussed.
The ALS/PDC syndrome of Guam and the cycad hypothesis

There is a high incidence on Guam of a severe tauopathy known as the Parkinson- dementia complex (PDC). It is linked with an even more malignant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) syndrome. There is great interest in determining the cause, or causes, of the Guam ALS/PDC syndrome because insight might be gained regarding ALS and the more common tauopathies found throughout the world. Research into the disorder is stimulated by hypotheses as to cause. Such hypotheses should be compatible with the known epidemiology and pathology of the syndrome. These include a high, if not exclusive, restriction to the Chamorro population, familial occurrence, a regional variation on Guam itself, a definite persistence but with declining incidence, and a possible duplication in isolated villages on the Kii peninsula of Japan. Proposed causation factors should also be able to reproduce the syndrome in experimental systems. This includes induction of neurofibrillary tangles with a tau isoform distribution similar to that of Alzheimer disease and association of the lesions with TDP-43 and Lrrk2. A recurring hypothesis as to causation is exposure to Cycas micronesica, the false Sago palm known locally as fadang. We review the reasons why this hypothesis falls short of the minimal criteria needed for further serious consideration and discuss some other possibilities that should not be excluded. GLOSSARY: AD = Alzheimer disease; ALS = amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; FTLD-U = frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitinated inclusions; Lrrk2 = leucine-rich-repeat-kinase 2; MAPKKK = microtubule associated protein kinase kinase kinase; NFT = neurofibrillary tangle; PDC = Parkinson-dementia complex; PSP = progressive supranuclear palsy; SNPs = single nucleotide polymorphisms; TAR = transactive response; TDP-43 = TAR-DNA-binding protein 43.
VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN PETROLINA, STATE OF PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL, 2007-2013

Visceral leishmaniasis is a life-threatening disease of great public health relevance in Brazil. The municipality of Petrolina is an endemic area in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. This study was designed to assess the recent expansion of VL in the municipality of Petrolina, Pernambuco. Patients data were obtained from the Brazilian National Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). A total of 111 records from 2007 to 2013 were investigated, of which 69 were residents in Petrolina. The disease has predominantly affected 1-4 year old children (34.8%). Most of the patients were males (59.4%). Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus occurred in 14.5% of the cases. The criterion most frequently used was the clinical and epidemiological confirmation (59.4%), with clinical cure in 78.3% of cases and one fatal outcome. Visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in Petrolina with transmission levels varying from moderate to high. The present study has shown the precariousness of the use of diagnostic tests in primary healthcare units, and this misuse has interfered with the diagnosis and treatment of cases.
Small European securities markets : a study of trading volume and institutional factors in the evolution of selected European markets

The thesis examines selected small national securities markets in western and central Europe under the influence of change in the structure of world financial market practice and increased information flows. Markets studied in detail and visited on one or more occasions are those of Denmark, Austria, Portugal, Hungary, The Netherlands, Belgium and two German regional exchanges, Hamburg and Bremen. Data on the German market as a whole is studied for its relevance to neighbouring small national exchanges. The formation of new markets in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is observed based on information about, and visits to, Prague and Bratislava. Market institutions, mechanisms and participants, particularly banks and brokers, are examined for their contribution to the viability and validity of each market and the realisation of development potential. The literature of price discovery, returns generation, asymmetrical information, market microstructure and investor behaviour is reviewed, as is the history of national exchanges for determinants of their present-day form and behaviour. Structured, questionnaire-based interviews with market participants, other fieldwork information and the considerable volume of contemporary press and periodical material relating to market reforms constitute the main body of evidence. Market-by-market analysis is conducted to support conclusions based on initial hypotheses about the function and purpose of small national markets and formal models of investor, borrower and broker behaviour. Trading volume is separately analysed over the longest practicable period, using time-series econometric methods for evidence of ability to reveal information about market behaviour and reliability as an income generator to sustain market-dependent broking populations and market institutions. Institutional factors are found to determine the volume of trading in the medium term and hence, via the level of income generated, to induce virtuous and vicious circles of development. In the short term, trading volume is determined by exogenous shocks and short-run market dynamics.
Is Spinal Anesthesia with Low Dose Lidocaine Better than Sevoflorane Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Hip Fracture Surgery.

BACKGROUND To evaluate general anesthesia with sevoflurane vs spinal anesthesia with low dose lidocaine 5% on hemodynamics changes in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. METHODS In this randomized double blind trial 100 patients (50 patients in each group) older than 60 years under hip surgery were randomized in general anesthesia with sevoflurane and spinal anesthesia with lidocaine 5%. Hemodynamic changes including mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate, blood loss, pain severity, nausea and vomiting and opioids consumption were compared in two groups. RESULTS During surgery, difference between two groups regarding changes in mean arterial pressure was not significant, but the changes in heart rate were significantly different. Mean arterial pressure changes during recovery between two groups were significantly different. But there was no significant difference in heart rate changes. Bleeding in the sevoflurane group was significantly more than spinal group (513.ml vs. 365 ml). Moreover, AS Score, opioid consumption, and the nausea and vomiting in spinal anesthesia group was significantly lower than the sevoflurane group. CONCLUSION We showed that general anesthesia with sevoflurane and spinal anesthesia with low dose lidocaine 5% have comparable effects on hemodynamics changes in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. However postoperative pain score, vomiting and morphine consumption in patients with spinal anesthesia were lower than general anesthesia.
Situs Inversus in Dpcd/Poll–/–, Nme7–/– , and Pkd1l1–/– Mice

Situs inversus (SI) is a congenital condition characterized by left–right transposition of thoracic and visceral organs and associated vasculature. The usual asymmetrical positioning of organs is established early in development in a transient structure called the embryonic node. The 2-cilia hypothesis proposes that 2 kinds of primary cilia in the embryonic node determine left–right asymmetry: motile cilia that generate a leftward fluid flow, and immotile mechanosensory cilia that respond to the flow. Here, we describe 3 mouse SI models that provide support for the 2-cilia hypothesis. In addition to having SI, Dpcd/Poll–/– mice (for: deleted in a mouse model of primary ciliary dyskinesia) and Nme7–/– mice (for: nonmetastatic cells 7) had lesions consistent with deficient ciliary motility: Hydrocephalus, sinusitis, and male infertility developed in Dpcd/Poll–/– mice, whereas hydrocephalus and excessive nasal exudates were seen in Nme7–/– mice. In contrast, the absence of respiratory tract lesions, hydrocephalus, and male infertility in Pkd1l1–/– mice (for: polycystic kidney disease 1 like 1) suggested that dysfunction of motile cilia was not involved in the development of SI in this line. Moreover, the gene Pkd1l1 has considerable sequence similarity with Pkd1 (for: polycystic kidney disease 1), which encodes a protein (polycystin-1) that is essential for the mechanosensory function of immotile primary cilia in the kidney. The markedly reduced viability of Pkd1l1–/– mice is somewhat surprising given the absence of any detected abnormalities (other than SI) in surviving Pkd1l1–/– mice subjected to a comprehensive battery of phenotype-screening exams. However, the heart and great vessels of Pkd1l1–/– mice were not examined, and it is possible that the decreased viability of Pkd1l1–/– mice is due to undiagnosed cardiovascular defects associated with heterotaxy.
One-line detection of rotor position for vector controlled IPMSM: Topic number: T2

Conventional vector control of IPMSM requires a motor position sensor to correctly orient the current vector orthogonally to the flux. Thus, a high degree of torque control over a wide speed range can be achieved. Rotor speed position is measured using shaft encoder which is fixed manually on the rotor such that positive edge of the home signal per one revolution Z of the shaft encoder coincides with the zero reference position of phase-A. However, shaft encoder placement may be significantly inaccurate due to human mechanical error during fixing. This paper shows that misplaced the shaft encoder not only leads to unbalance operation of the inverter and motor phases, which increases the low frequency harmonics in torque ripple and degrades the overall drive performance but also, reduces the overall torque obtained from the vector controlled drive system due to the reduction of the quadrature-axis component of current. However, a novel technique is theoretically proposed and experimentally applied to determine on-line the value of error angle between positive edge of home signal Z of the shaft encoder and zero position of phase-A, to achieve a better dynamic performance. The proposed method can be implemented online and does not require any additional hardware.