Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advanced Lead–Acid Batteries and the Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems

This paper discusses new developments in lead-acid battery chemistry and the importance of the system approach for implementation of battery energy storage for renewable energy and grid applications. The described solution includes thermal management of an UltraBattery bank, an inverter/charger, and smart grid management, which can monitor the state of charge (SoC) and the state of health (SoH) of the battery during system operation. With such features, it can allow the battery to operate within an optimum SoC window and thus can further maximize the longevity of the UltraBattery. Importantly, the smart battery management can trend the SoH of the battery and allow cell replacement at a convenient time without affecting the system operation. Furthermore, the advanced system package allows remote monitoring and control of operation, thus reducing the running cost of the system. It is clear that the widespread use of renewable-energy systems, in turn, would lead to a reduction in global consumption of the limited supplies of the fossil fuels and in the associated production of greenhouse-gas emissions.
Metabolic syndrome: anesthesia for morbid obesity

Purpose of review There is an emerging epidemic of obesity worldwide resulting in a greater number of obese patients presenting for surgery. The combined problems of metabolic disease and mechanical impairment from excess tissues present a variety of problems for the anesthesiologist. Recent findings Obesity is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome, a constellation of findings associated with visceral obesity, appears to confer additional long-term risk. To date no intervention has proven effective in reducing perioperative risk, although statin therapy is promising. Obese patients are more difficult to intubate in the ‘sniffing’ position, but placed in the ‘ramped’ position there is no evidence that this risk is greater than in the general population. Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with adverse postoperative outcomes. Much research has focused on preventing postoperative atelectasis. Preoxygenation with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), recruitment maneuvers, intraoperative positive end-expiratory pressure of at least 8 cmH2O and postextubation CPAP appear to improve postoperative pulmonary function. Summary Current studies have focused on the immediate impact of obesity on anesthesia and postoperative care. Future research will focus primarily on perioperative metabolic optimization.
Substance Use and Sexual Orientation among East and Southeast Asian Adolescents in Canada

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between substance use and sexual orientation among Asian adolescents in Canada. We analyzed an East- and Southeast-Asian subsample of a province-wide, school-based survey (weighted N = 51,349). Compared to heterosexual adolescents of the same gender, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and mostly heterosexual adolescents were more likely to use alcohol, marijuana, or other illicit drugs. Particularly, sexual minority girls were at increased risk for substance use. The findings suggest the need for substance use prevention interventions that are sensitive to gender, sexual orientation, and culture.
Efficient Synthesis of 2′-Deoxynucleoside 3′-C-Phosphonates: Reactivity of Geminal Hydroxyphosphonate Moiety

Abstract In this report we present a novel, simple way for the synthesis of 3′-C-phosphonate derivatives of all four basic 2′-deoxynucleosides in both fully protected and deprotected forms. The reactivity of the geminal hydroxy phosphonate moiety located at the 3′-carbon atom of the nucleoside was studied with respect to the use of this type of nucleoside phosphonic acid for the preparation of short oligonucleotides, namely, dinucleoside monophosphate analogues.
A class of Hartley-Ross type unbiased estimators for population mean using ranked set sampling

In this paper, we propose a class of Hartley-Ross type unbiased esti- mators for estimating the finite population mean of the study variable under ranked set sampling (RSS), when population mean of the auxil- iary variable is known. The variances of the proposed class of unbiased estimators are obtained to first degree of approximation. Both theo- retically and numerically, the proposed estimators are compared with some competitor estimators, using three different data sets. It is iden- tified through numerical study that the proposed estimators are more effcient as compared to all other competitor estimators.
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth through blocking β-catenin and cyclooxygenase-2

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common human cancer with high mortality, and currently, there is no effective chemoprevention or systematic treatment. Recent evidence suggests that cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)–derived PGE2 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways are implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis. Here, we report that ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) inhibit HCC growth through simultaneously inhibition of COX-2 and β-catenin. DHA and EPA treatment resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of cell viability with cleavage of poly ADP ribose polymerase, caspase-3, and caspase-9 in three human HCC cell lines (Hep3B, Huh-7, HepG2). In contrast, AA, a ω-6 PUFA, exhibited no significant effect. DHA and EPA treatment caused dephosphorylation and thus activation of GSK-3β, leading to β-catenin degradation in Hep3B cells. The GSK-3β inhibitor, LiCl, partially prevented DHA-induced β-catenin protein degradation and apoptosis. Additionally, DHA induced the formation of β-catenin/Axin/GSK-3β binding complex, which serves as a parallel mechanism for β-catenin degradation. Furthermore, DHA inhibited PGE2 signaling through downregulation of COX-2 and upregulation of the COX-2 antagonist, 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase. Finally, the growth of HCC in vivo was significantly reduced when mouse HCCs (Hepa1-6) were inoculated into the Fat-1 transgenic mice, which express a Caenorhabditis elegans desaturase converting ω-6 to ω-3 PUFAs endogenously. These findings provide important preclinical evidence and molecular insight for utilization of ω-3 PUFAs for the chemoprevention and treatment of human HCC. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(11):3046–55]
Limitaciones que presenta la medicina basada en evidencia. ¿Cómo evaluar artículos de pronóstico?

Cuando hablamos de limitaciones nos referimos a la circunstancia o condicion de algo o de alguien que limita, impide o difi culta su desarrollo, tambien podemos pensar en una linea real o imaginaria que separa dos cosas o elementos de otros; pero estas refl exiones sobre medicina basada en la evidencia (MBE) se deben hacer con precaucion, ya que pueden conducir a la realizacion de juicios erroneos. Sobre todo en aquellos profesionales cuyo entrenamiento limitado en esta disciplina, les cuesta mas trabajo entender el metodo cientifi co, que es el fundamento basico de la MBE. Desde hace mas de 22 anos esta nueva disciplina se introdujo en el quehacer medico como un intento de mejorar la practica clinica en la atencion de los enfermos, es conveniente enfatizar que aunque tiene seguidores, tambien hay quienes no la aceptan. Estamos de acuerdo con Tonelli cuando dice que existe una brecha intrinseca entre la investigacion y la practica clinica, la incapacidad de no reconocer esta brecha puede conducir a consecuencias no deseadas y adversas. Actualmente la comprension del paciente individual tiende a olvidarse y de una manera imperceptible de la atencion individual del paciente se desplaza hacia las poblaciones. No olvidemos que la MBE nos ensena a tratar a los pacientes de manera individual(1).
Insecure attachment as a risk factor for future depressive symptoms in early adolescence.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether insecure attachment is a predictor of subsequent depressive symptoms among adolescents 12-14 years of age, when controlled for depressive levels the preceding year, various demographic and psychosocial factors, and stressful life events. METHOD A representative sample of 2,360 young adolescents was assessed at two time points 1 year apart. Measures included were depressive symptoms measured by the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ), attachment to parents and friends measured by the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, stressful events, and various sociodemographic factors. The initial response rate was 88.3% and the attrition rate was 4.3%. RESULTS The proportions of high scorers (MFQ > 33) increased threefold from T1 to T2 (3.4% to 10.9%). Results of multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the following variables at T1 were predictive of depressive symptoms at T2 : severe depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 5.30), gender (OR = 4.08), attachment to parents (OR = 1.36), and stressful life events (OR = 1.12). No interactions between attachment and severe depressive symptoms and gender and stressful life events, respectively, were found. CONCLUSIONS Insecure attachment to parents may contribute to the development of severe depressive symptoms among young adolescents. Improving the adolescent-parent relationship could be a focus for interventions both in community services and in clinical work.
WT1 Expression in the Female Genital Tract

The Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1) has been reported in normal tissues and many neoplasms of the female genital tract. This review discusses WT1 expression in the female genital tract and its potential utility in the differential diagnosis of neoplasms that occur at this location. WT1 is of value in the differential diagnosis of synchronous serous carcinomas arising in the ovary/fallopian tube/peritoneum and endometrium, as strong WT1 positivity in both tumors points toward an extrauterine origin. In addition, WT1 can be used to distinguish sex cord stromal tumors (WT1 positive) from endometrioid carcinomas (OECs). WT1 expression is not helpful in the differential diagnosis of ovarian serous carcinomas (OSCs) and transitional carcinomas, as both are typically positive and has limited value in the distinction of serous tumors arising in the ovary/fallopian tube/peritoneum from mesotheliomas. WT1 is also not helpful to differentiate small cell carcinoma of hypercalcemic type from juvenile granulosa cell tumor, a common diagnostic problem. Intra-abdominal desmoplastic round cell tumor reacts to WT1 (C-terminal) in contrast to all other tumors discussed which helps to separate this rare tumor from most other small round cell tumors that may involve, primarily or secondarily, the ovary with the exception of small cell carcinoma of hypercalcemic type that typically reacts with the N-terminal of WT1.
Young Jordanian Women's Health Beliefs About Mammography

This descriptive study assesses the beliefs held by a group of young Jordanian women toward mammography utilization as a screening procedure for breast cancer. The Health Belief Model (HBM) is the theoretical framework of this study. Champion's (1993) translated HBMtool was utilized as the self-administered questionnaire that was filled in by all participants in this study. The sample consisted of young (≤ 45 years) Jordanian women chosen out of convenience from among those visiting one of the largest maternal and child health centers in Amman. The overall results indicated favorable beliefs toward the use of mammography, coupled with the majority of women (76%) voicing their agreement with the overall benefits of mammography, and 24% were either not in agreement with or unsure about these benefits. Although about half of the sample (49%) perceived barriers to utilizing mammography, the vast majority (85%), reported an overall agreement with the statements of the health motivation subscale. There were no significant differences in women's beliefs as a function of their subgroups of age, education, or insurance status. Nevertheless, when compared with a group of older women who had undergone mammography, significant differences (in favor of the older group) were reported between the two samples, especially in terms of the responses given to selected preventive statements such as "wanting to discover health problems early" (t = 2.27, p = .024) and "eating a well-balanced meal" (t = 1.92, p = .05). Implications for nursing practice, such as recognizing culturally specific barriers and enhancing health education programs to trigger mammography utilization, were addressed.
Encoding and processing of color engravings (using MRC)

Digitization of printed illustrations for archive purposes is not always a simple procedure, due to the varied nature of illustration processes. For example, colored engravings were once the predominant type of book illustrations. Due to the specific printing process they consist of regions of both very fine lines (high-frequency) and almost uniformly colored regions (low-frequency). In order to keep the compression rate high, compression algorithms tend to destroy the fine lines that are the essence of this type of image. However, the images compressed using the modified mixed raster content (MRC) compression scheme showed exceptional fidelity to their prototypes at low bit-rates when compared to alternate compression methods such as JPEG and JPEG2000. This paper presents the simple segmentation algorithm for fast separation of engraved and colored layers, as a part of the image processing process necessary for MRC scheme implementation. This is demonstrated on the case study of the William Blake Archive.
Herpes simplex virus type 2 in the United States, 1976 to 1994.

BACKGROUND Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection is usually transmitted sexually and can cause recurrent, painful genital ulcers. In neonates the infection is potentially lethal. We investigated the seroprevalence and correlates of HSV-2 infection in the United States and identified changes in HSV-2 seroprevalence since the late 1970s. METHODS Serum samples and questionnaire data were collected during the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) II (1976 to 1980) and III (1988 to 1994). HSV-2 antibody was assessed with an immunodot assay specific for glycoprotein gG-2 of HSV-2. RESULTS From 1988 to 1994, the seroprevalence of HSV-2 in persons 12 years of age or older in the United States was 21.9 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 20.2 to 23.6 percent), corresponding to 45 million infected people in the noninstitutionalized civilian population. The seroprevalence was higher among women (25.6 percent) than men (17.8 percent) and higher among blacks (45.9 percent) than whites (17.6 percent). Less than 10 percent of all those who were seropositive reported a history of genital herpes infection. In a multivariate model, the independent predictors of HSV-2 seropositivity were female sex, black race or Mexican-American ethnic background, older age, less education, poverty, cocaine use, and a greater lifetime number of sexual partners. As compared with the period from 1976 to 1980, the age-adjusted seroprevalence of HSV-2 rose 30 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 15.8 to 45.8 percent). The seroprevalence quintupled among white teenagers and doubled among whites in their twenties. Among blacks and older whites, the increases were smaller. CONCLUSIONS Since the late 1970s, the prevalence of HSV-2 infection has increased by 30 percent, and HSV-2 is now detectable in roughly one of five persons 12 years of age or older nationwide. Improvements in the prevention of HSV-2 infection are needed, particularly since genital ulcers may facilitate the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus.
Best Practices for Building a Security Operations Center

Abstract If one cannot effectively manage the growing volume of security events flooding the enterprise, one cannot secure one's business. Yet IT security teams are now being overwhelmed by literally millions of security-related messages every day. This daily deluge of security data is being generated by the numerous “point” security solutions deployed across the enterprise: firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection, access control, identity management, anti-virus, etc. These solutions all generate information in different formats, store it in different places, and forward to different locations. And it is more than anyone can handle.
Assessing Postural Control and Postural Control Strategy in Diabetes Patients Using Innovative and Wearable Technology

Introduction: Currently, diagnosis of patients with postural instability relies on a rudimentary clinical examination. This article suggests an innovative, portable, and cost-effective prototype to evaluate balance control objectively. Methods: The proposed system uses low-cost, microelectromechanical sensor, body-worn sensors (BalanSens™) to measure the motion of ankle and hip joints in three dimensions. We also integrated resulting data into a two-link biomechanical model of the human body for estimating the two-dimensional sway of the center of mass (COM) in anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions. A new reciprocal compensatory index (RCI) was defined to quantify postural compensatory strategy (PCS) performance. To validate the accuracy of our algorithms in assessing balance, we investigated the two-dimensional sway of COM and RCI in 21 healthy subjects and 17 patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathic (DPN) complications using the system just explained. Two different conditions were examined: eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) for duration of at least 30 seconds. Results were compared with center of pressure sway (COP) as measured by a pressure platform (Emed-x system, Novel Inc., Germany). To further investigate the contribution of the somatosensory (SOM) feedback to balance control, healthy subjects performed EO and EC trials while standing on both a rigid and a foam surface. Results: A relatively high correlation was observed between COM measured using BalanSens and COP measured using the pressure platform (r = 0.92). Results demonstrated that DPN patients exhibit significantly greater COM sway than healthy subjects for both EO and EC conditions (p < 0.005). The difference becomes highly pronounced while eyes are closed (197 ± 44 cm2 vs 68 ± 56 cm2). Furthermore, results showed that PCS assessed using RCI is significantly better in healthy subjects compared to DPN subjects for both EO and EC conditions, as well as in both ML and AP directions (p < 0.05). Alteration in SOM feedback in healthy subjects resulted in diminished RCI values that were similar to those seen in DPN subjects (p > 0.05). Discussion/Conclusion: This study suggested an innovative system that enables the investigation of COM as well as postural control compensatory strategy in humans. Results suggest that neuropathy significantly impacts PCS.
Perceptually relevant browsing environments for large texture databases

This thesis describes the development of a large database of texture stimuli, the production of a similarity matrix reflecting human judgements of similarity about the database, and the development of three browsing models that exploit structure in the perceptual information for navigation. Rigorous psychophysical comparison experiments are carried out and the SOM (Self Organising Map) found to be the fastest of the three browsing models under examination. We investigate scalable methods of augmenting a similarity matrix using the SOM browsing environment to introduce previously unknown textures. Further psychophysical experiments reveal our method produces a data organisation that is as fast to navigate as that derived from the perceptual grouping experiments. Acknowledgements I owe a debt of gratitude to my esteemed supervisor, Mike Chantler, for his insight and encouragement throughout my PhD. My research involved over 270 experimental sessions and I would like record my thanks to the observers who gave so generously of their time and effort for such meagre reward. It would not have been possible for me to pursue a PhD without the financial support of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues in the Texture Lab, Heriot Watt University, for their support and camaraderie.
Antigen and antibody in Aleutian disease in mink. I. Precipitation reaction by agar-gel electrophoresis.

An antigen in tissue from mink infected with Aleutian disease, detectable by agar-gel electrophoresis, was partially purified by fluorocarbon treatment and concentration by ultracentrifugation from the spleen, kidney and liver of experimentally infected mink. Antibody against this antigen, which seems to be specific for AD, appeared as early as 9 days after experimental infection. Normal animals had no detectable antigen or antibody specific for AD virus.
EveryTime Routing for Offset Pipelined Coarse Grain Reconfigurable Architectures

Coarse Grain Reconfigurable Arrays (CGRAs) offer improved energy efficiency and performance over conventional architectures. Offset Pipelining presents an improved execution model that broadens the useful range of CGRA applications. This paper introduces placement and routing for Offset Pipelined systems. The EveryTime router provides a mechanism to handle the unique run time behavior without impacting channel width requirements. Evaluated in contrast to a modulo scheduled CGRA, the complete tool chain reduces resource utilization 0.58x for the same throughput or improves performance by 1.72x for resource limited applications. These comparisons showcase the viability and benefits of the EveryTime routing approach and the Offset Pipelining execution model.
Contraintes sur l'architecture textuelle

Nous examinons dans cette communication les contraintes qui pesent sur la composition des objets textuels au sein de l'architecture textuelle. Apres un rappel de la definition de la structure architecturale d'un texte, nous presentons les elements essentiels de la representation de ce type de structure, cette version du modele comportant des precisions et ajouts a une version anterieure. Nous definissons dans ce cadre les concepts de coherence et de completude architecturale. Nous presentons finalement plusieurs lois de composition sur l'ensemble des objets textuels qui determine le contenu structurel de ces deux concepts. Ce travail constitue une etape significative dans le cadre d'un projet de formalisation des processus logico-linguistiques de generation de texte.