Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pancreatic β‐Cell Neogenesis by Direct Conversion from Mature α‐Cells

Because type 1 and type 2 diabetes are characterized by loss of β‐cells, β‐cell regeneration has garnered great interest as an approach to diabetes therapy. Here, we developed a new model of β‐cell regeneration, combining pancreatic duct ligation (PDL) with elimination of pre‐existing β‐cells with alloxan. In this model, in which virtually all β‐cells observed are neogenic, large numbers of β‐cells were generated within 2 weeks. Strikingly, the neogenic β‐cells arose primarily from α‐cells. α‐cell proliferation was prominent following PDL plus alloxan, providing a large pool of precursors, but we found that β‐cells could form from α‐cells by direct conversion with or without intervening cell division. Thus, classical asymmetric division was not a required feature of the process of α‐ to β‐cell conversion. Intermediate cells coexpressing α‐cell‐ and β‐cell‐specific markers appeared within the first week following PDL plus alloxan, declining gradually in number by 2 weeks as β‐cells with a mature phenotype, as defined by lack of glucagon and expression of MafA, became predominant. In summary, these data revealed a novel function of α‐cells as β‐cell progenitors. The high efficiency and rapidity of this process make it attractive for performing the studies required to gain the mechanistic understanding of the process of α‐ to β‐cell conversion that will be required for eventual clinical translation as a therapy for diabetes. STEM CELLS 2010; 28:1630–1638.
Model-Based Systems Engineering: An Emerging Approach for Modern Systems

To engineer the modern large, complex, interdisciplinary systems-of-systems (SoS), the collaborative world teams must “speak” the same language and must work on the same “matter. ” The “matter” is the system model and the communication mechanisms must be supported by standard, flexible, and friendly modeling languages. The evolving model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach is leading the way and is expected to become a standard practice in the field of systems engineering (SE) in the next decade. As an emerging paradigm for the systems of the 21st century, it seems useful to overview its current state of the art concerning the developing standards, the embryonic formalisms, the available modeling languages, the methodologies, and the major applications.
Neighbor selection for variance reduction in I/sub DDQ/ and other parametric data

The subject of this paper is variance reduction and nearest neighbor residual estimates for I/sub DDQ/ and other continuous-valued test measurements. The key, new concept introduced is data-driven neighborhood identification about a die to reduce the variance of good and faulty I/sub DDQ/ distributions. Using LSI Logic production data, neighborhood selection techniques are demonstrated. The main contribution of the paper is variance reduction by the systematic use of the die location and wafer- or lot-level patterns and improved identification of die outliers of continuous-valued test data such as I/sub DDQ/.
Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery: Silver Bullet or the Emperor's New Clothes?

In this issue of The American Journal of Gastroenterology, two investigators report experiences with antireflux surgery that could be described only as lackluster (1, 2). The case-control analysis by El-Serag concluded that there was no discernible decrement in subsequent complications of reflux disease or in health care utilization by veterans after undergoing open fundoplication compared with those who continued with medical treatment. The Finnish study followed 39 patients who had undergone open fundoplication for a mean period of 6.2 yr and found an astounding 13% reoperation rate and 29% rate of recurrent esophagitis postoperatively (2). Neither of these was a prospective study, and both reflected on the experience of the general surgeon as opposed to the specialized esophageal surgeon. Thus, these studies can hardly be viewed as a threat to the surgical establishment that so strongly advocates "the surgical solution" to this very prevalent disorder. Even so, the peer review frenzy that these reports elicited during the review process impressed even this reasonably battle-hardened author. Apparently, antireflux surgery is supposed to be a "silver bullet" in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and exposing its real world warts is akin to the little boy watching the emperor's promenade who innocently uttered, "but mother, he's naked. "
An asymmetric VHF self-oscillating DC-DC converter with integrated transformer

The paper presents a self-oscillating DC-DC integrated converter which is operable in the frequency range of 200MHz-260MHz. The circuit includes a cascoded power stage, and an integrated transformer. The primary of the transformer provides the transmission of power to the converter load. The secondary provides the feedback signal to the gates of cascoded transistors in the power stage. The feedback circuit includes a duty cycle detector and a pulse-shaping circuit. A detailed analysis of duty cycle detector operation is given. The conditions for a smooth start-up are indicated as well. The circuit was designed and simulated for 45 nm CMOS technology, and the calculated parameters of the duty cycle detector are compared with that of the extracted from layout converter.
Migration of inorganic contaminants into dry food from packaging made from recycled paper and board

A radiotracer method was applied to the measurement of inorganic contaminants migrating into food. The method was applied to the study of 10 samples of recycled paper and board. The only elements detected in the static migration test were zinc and iron, at concentrations close to the detection limit. Samples of rice, oats, custard powder, mushrooms and fries showed that traces of these elements had migrated from the packaging. The migration was limited to less than 1%, with the exception of the mushrooms, where the decomposition of the food had resulted in a 12.5% transfer of zinc from the mushroom bag after 8 days, equivalent to migration of 0.022 mg dm−2. Shaking had no effect on migration, except in one case of custard powder where migration occurred at a level equivalent to 0.002 mg dm−2. The maximum migration determined in the present study was 4.8 µg zinc and 2.6 µg iron, which is negligible when compared with the recommended daily intakes of 15 and 14 mg, respectively. When Tenax was tested as a food simulant, no zinc was detected (<0.001 mg dm−2), although slight migration (0.001 mg dm–2) occurred into food.
Histomorphometric analysis of the effects of creatine on rat myometrium

Objective: To analyze the myometrial thickness of rats subjected to creatine (Cr) ingestion. Study design: A total of 14 rats was equally divided into the control group (ConGr) receiving 1 ml potable water and the creatine group (CrGr) subjected to the ingestion of 1.6 g/kg Cr diluted in 1 ml potable water. At the end of 8 weeks, the animals were anesthetized (xylazine and ketamine) and sacrificed, the uteri and ovaries stained with hematoxylin and eosin, the thickness of both the myometrium and the epithelium measured and the follicles counted. Results: Analysis revealed a significant increase in thickness of the myometrium in the CrGr (272.26 ± 66.71μm) contrasted with that from the ConGr (160.76 ± 35.65μm), CrGr > ConGr (p < 0001). Conclusion: Our data suggest that Cr changed myometrial morphology in rats by enhancing myometrial thickness, but its action mechanism in the smooth muscle is still unclear.
Outpatients with Low Back Pain: An Analysis of the Rate Per Day of Pain Improvement That May Be Expected and Factors Affecting Improvement

Granger CV, Lackner JM, Kulas M, Russell CF: Outpatients with low back pain: An analysis of the rate per day of pain improvement that may be expected and factors affecting improvement. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2003;82:253–260. Objective To determine, only for those who improved, the rate per day of improvement expected for outpatients with low back pain and to identify factors influencing pain improvement: pain duration before assessment, pain and physical functioning levels before assessment, age, sex, and affective factors. It was presupposed that affective factors would have an appreciable effect. Design The LIFEware SystemSM database was used. Analysis was performed on 1292 records for the Painfree measure and 1562 records for the LIFEware System Visual Analog Scale. Measures for pain, physical functioning, and affective well-being were analyzed for 0–30 days vs. >30 days of pain duration before assessment using classification and regression trees analysis. Results In both Painfree and LIFEware System Visual Analog Scale, 73% improved and 27% did not improve. Of those who improved, outpatients with 0–30 days of pain duration before assessment had higher per day rates of improvement than the >30 days group. Factors affecting improvement were, in descending order, more initial pain, younger age, and positive affective well-being; physical functioning did not affect rate of improvement. Factors affecting improvement for outpatients with >30 days since onset were, in descending order, more initial pain and better initial physical functioning; age and affective well-being were not factors. For all, neither sex nor the “satisfaction with life in general” question affected low back pain rate of improvement. Conclusion Findings may be useful for clinical application because the actual rate of improvement may be compared with the expected rate. There was only a weak relationship shown between affective factors and pain improvement.
TTAC-0001, a human monoclonal antibody targeting VEGFR-2/KDR, blocks tumor angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is one of the most important processes for cancer cell survival, tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, particularly VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2, or kinase insert domain-containing receptor, KDR), play critical roles in tumor-associated angiogenesis. We developed TTAC-0001, a human monoclonal antibody against VEGFR-2/KDR from a fully human naïve single-chain variable fragment phage library. TTAC-0001 was selected as a lead candidate based on its affinity, ligand binding inhibition and inhibition of VEGFR-2 signal in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). TTAC-0001 inhibited binding of VEGF-C and VEGF-D to VEGFR-2 in addition to VEGF-A. It binds on the N-terminal regions of domain 2 and domain 3 of VEGFR-2. It could inhibit the phosphorylation of VEGFR-2/KDR and ERK induced by VEGF in HUVEC. TTAC-0001 also inhibited VEGF-mediated endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation in vitro, as well as ex vivo vessel sprouting from rat aortic rings and neovascularization in mouse matrigel model in vivo. Our data indicates that TTAC-0001 blocks the binding of VEGFs to VEGFR-2/KDR and inhibits VEGFR-induced signaling pathways and angiogenesis. Therefore, these data strongly support the further development of TTAC-0001 as an anti-cancer agent in the clinic.
The effect of an increased ratio of carbidopa to levodopa on the pharmacokinetics of levodopa

ABSTRACT – A randomized, cross‐over study was designed to compare the effects of an increased ratio (from 1:10 to 1:4) of carbidopa to levodopa on the fate of levodopa and carbidopa in 11 healthy subjects. Four combinations of carbidopa/levodopa (10 mg/100 mg, 25 mg/100 mg, 25 mg/250 mg, 62.5/250 mg) were used. Plasma levodopa, carbidopa, dopamine and dopac concentrations as well as urinary excretions of levodopa and dopac were determined by a sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection after a single carbidopa/levodopa tablet. As the ratio of carbidopa to levodopa increased, there was a significant increase in apparent t1/2 and AUC values of levodopa. At the same time the urinary excretion of levodopa increased and that of dopac decreased. The plasma ratios of levodopa/dopamine and levodopa/dopac and the urinary ratio of levodopa/dopac also increased. There were less subjective side‐effects in the 1:4 groups than in the 1:10 groups. It is concluded that increasing the amount of carbidopa in relation to levodopa may be beneficial and further clinical studies are clearly indicated.
Experimental evaluation of an LTE cognitive radio network

An experimental evaluation of an LTE Cognitive Radio (CR) Network, implemented using highly integrated Software Defined Radio (SDR) platform is presented. Each transceiver can be configured as a primary (resp. secondary) eNodeB or a primary (resp. secondary) user in this framework. We propose simple distributed algorithms which the secondary eNodeB can employ to efficiently manage the spectral opportunities that arise in such a network. Experimental validation show significant improvement in the secondary link throughput for various load factors of the primary network usage.
Cyclostationary codec: A framework to enable alternative network architectures

In this paper we explore a means of allowing independent service providers using whatever spectrum they can find, to come together in a loose form of coalition which supports mobility between service providers. The service providers are not required to use similar network configurations- i.e. they can configure to best suit their needs and in line with what spectrum they find available. Our solution involves the use of what we term a cyclostationary codec which in essence is a physical pattern that can be placed in the control channel of the service provider. This pattern is the key enabling mechanism for identifying the coalition, enabling rendezvous, supporting handover and conveying details of the service provider configuration.
Investigações sobre o comportamento do mercado de ações frente a eventos: Um estudo de caso australiano Investigations on the stock market events: An Australian case study

O presente texto tem por objetivo analisar o comportamento do mercado de acoes frente a eventos com impacto significativo na rentabilidade de uma empresa, utilizando a metodologia de estudo de eventos. O objeto de estudo escolhido foi a variacao das acoes da mineradora Australiana BHP Billiton apos o acidente com a barragem de Fundao, em Mariana, que era operada pela mineradora Samarco, controlada pela BHP Billiton. Esperava-se encontrar um aumento na volatilidade dessas acoes em relacao a volatilidade do mercado, ou seja, um aumento no Beta conforme calculado pelo CAPM, metodologia muito popular no ensino de financas no Brasil. Conclui-se que a volatilidade das acoes na bolsa Australiana nao contamina o mercado, com uma volatilidade vinculada a fatores promovendo perdas grandes na bolsa Australiana alguns dias antes do evento estudado. Dessa forma, durante o evento, as acoes da BHP se valorizam e nao apresentam aumento de volatilidade.
Desipramine and nortriptyline antagonize apomorphine and reserpine hypothermia by a different mechanism

Abstract— The reversal of hypothermia, induced by reserpine or by a high (16 mg) dose of apomorphine, in male Swiss mice, does not seem to utilize a common mechanism. Desipramine (20 mg kg−1 i.p., 60 min) or nortriptyline (8 mg kg−1 i.p., 60 min) increased temperature in both reserpine (2.5 mg kg−1 s.c, 18–19 h) and apomorphine (16 mg kg−1 s.c, 30 min) treated mice. In apomorphine‐treated animals the effect of both drugs was reversed by the mixed dopaminergic D1‐ D2‐antagonist haloperidol (1 mg kg− i.p 90 min), the D1‐receptor blocking drug SCH 23390 (0.05 mg kg−1 s.c, 30 min), the ? 1‐adrenoceptor blocking drugs prazosin (3 mg kgsp>−1 s.c., 90 min) and phenoxybenzamine (20 mg kg−1 i.p., 65 min), the ? ‐adrenoceptor blocking drug (±)‐propranolol (10 mg kg−1 i.p., 120 min), and the opioid antagonist naloxone (2 mg kg−1 i.p., 15 min). In contrast the selective D2‐antagonist (±)‐sulpiride (100 mg kg−1 i.p., 90 min), and the ? 2‐antagonist yohimbine (2 mg kg−1 i.p., 75 min), failed to effect the reversal of apomorphine hypothermia brought about by desipramine or nortriptyline. Their temperature effects in reserpinized mice were not modified by any of the antagonists tested.
Effect of higher pasteurization temperatures, and longer holding times at 72°C, on the inactivation of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in milk

Raw cow’s milk spiked with 106 cfu ml−1 of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was subjected to heat treatments of 72, 75, 78, 80, 85 or 90 °C for 15 s, and 72 °C for 20 and 25 s, using laboratory pasteurizing units. Three bovine strains of Myco. paratuberculosis were studied (NCTC 8578, B2 and DVL 943). Each strain was subjected to all the heat treatments indicated on three separate occasions. Although each of the heat treatments achieved a substantial (5–6 log10) reduction in numbers of viable Myco. paratuberculosis, small numbers of the organism (4–16 cfu 10 ml−1) survived in a proportion of the milk samples at each of the higher temperatures investigated, right up to 90 °C for 15 s. A longer holding time of 25 s at 72 °C was found to be more effective at inactivating Myco. paratuberculosis. Only one of the three strains studied, B2, yielded small numbers of survivors after heating at 72 °C for 20 s, but it was completely inactivated by extending the holding time at 72 °C by a further 5 s to 25 s. It was concluded that a longer holding time is more likely to achieve the complete inactivation of Myco. paratuberculosis in milk than a higher pasteurization temperature.
Evaluation of Transplanted Kidneys and Comparison with Healthy Volunteers and Kidney Donors with Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Initial Experience.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance, by comparing imaging in renal allograft recipients for functional assessment of kidney transplants versus imaging of these features in healthy volunteers and kidney donors with native kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy renal transplant recipients (group A) with stable graft function at postoperative month 1, 40 healthy volunteers (group B), and 40 kidney donors (group C) underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. An echo-planar diffusion-weighted imaging sequence was performed in coronal orientation by using 6 b values (0, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1000 s/mm²). The apparent diffusion coefficients were determined for the upper and lower poles of the kidney cortex and medulla. Relations between apparent diffusion coefficients and allograft function, determined by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (comparing rates > 60 mL/min/1.73 m² [group A1] versus < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² [group A2]), were investigated in renal transplant recipients, and apparent diffusion coefficients in groups A, B, and C were compared. RESULTS Apparent diffusion coefficients were statistically higher in group A1 than in group A2 (P < .05) and statistically higher in group A than in groups B and C (P < .001). There were no significant differences between groups B and C (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS We observed that apparent diffusion coefficients of transplanted kidneys at postoperative month 1 were higher than values in native kidneys of healthy volunteers and kidney donors. In addition, apparent diffusion coefficients of transplanted kidneys with estimated glomerular filtration rates > 60 mL/min/1.73 m² were higher than transplanted kidneys with rates < 60 mL/min/1.73 m².
Black-box and gray-box components as elements for performance prediction in telecommunications system

In order to enable quality impact prediction for newly added functionality to the existing telecommunications system, we introduce new modeling elements to the common development process. In the paper we describe a black-box and grey-box instrumentation and modeling method, used for performance prediction of a distributed system. To verify basic concept of the method, a prototype system was made. The prototype consists of the existing proprietary telephone exchange system and new, open-source components that make an extension of the system. The paper presents conceptual architecture of the prototype and analyzes basic performance impact for introduction of open-source software into existing system. Instrumentation and modeling parameters are discussed, as well as measurements environment. Initial comparison of predicted and experimentally measured values validates current work on the method.
Difficulties Encountered in Solving Quadratic Equation of the Grade 9 Students: Basis For Constructing Instructional Materials

The study focused on the difficulties encountered in solving quadratic equation of the grade 9 students in Taligaman National High School. This study aimed to determine the difficulties encountered in solving quadratic equation of the grade 9 students. This study used descriptive research procedure which tested the hypothesis or answer question concerning the current status. In gathering the data needed, a survey questionnaire was used to 121 respondents randomly selected from grade 9 students in Taligaman National High School. The researcher used the random sampling design. On the analysis of data some statistical measures were used. The percentage were utilized to answer the respondent profile and the mean which was used to determine the level of student learning attitudes and teacher competency. In the level of determine difficulties encountered in solving quadratic equation the percentage statistical tool were used. This study concluded that the student profile, student learning attitude towards mathematics and teacher competency is not merely contribute to the difficulties encountered by the student in solving quadratic equation. Thus, the topic quadratic equation alone is difficult for some students or there is probability that the greater effect of the difficulties encountered by students are not included in the study. Based from this conclusion, the researchers suggested that the teacher may adopt the enhanced instructional materials provided by this study to decrease or enhance the skills of the students in the difficulties encountered in solving quadratic equation of the student.
Towards Safer Programming Language Constructs

Current mainstream programming languages suffer numerous safety issues that originally introduced to be convenient and practical, but later turned out these features can be harmful. Although, these programming languages continuously evolving, they usually have a limitation due to backward compatibility. New languages are being created today to fix issues or introduce new paradigms. In thesis 1 we describe various software issues related to language syntax based on real industrial experiences. To avoid these problems we suggest strict coding conventions for existing languages and rigorous syntactical rules for new languages. Rules include to prefer immutable memory as default function arguments, more expressive control flow and better ways to define operators. Current mainstream languages also suffer some semantical problems what we discuss in thesis 2. Implicit conversions usually allowed in this languages but they may lead to unwanted behavior. To avoid such cases in C++ we introduced a wrapper class based solution. The C++11 move semantics may reduce copy operations when implemented properly. We specified an algorithm and implemented a prototype tool to detect possible misuse of the move semantics. It is well-known that the costs of software development is only the fragment of its all maintenance cycle. In order to reduce maintenance costs, we may demand various services from the programming languages. We analyze such features in thesis 3. As an example, mainstream languages give no support for handle the binary compatibility issues among different library versions. Compile time testing is also rarely supported. We suggest solutions for these problems. In order to prove that the design decisions we proposed in the earlier theses viable, we implemented Welltype, a prototype programming language that designed according our findings. Our language, is imperative with additional multi-paradigm language elements and available as open source with a full development tool-chain.