Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical deposition of variably sized platelets in the respiratory tract of healthy adults

Background: Numerous types of airborne particles representing by-products of mechanical processes such as milling, abrading or polishing are characterized by platelet-like shapes. Besides these particles of the micrometer scale also nanoplatelets consisting of single or multiple layers of graphene sheets can be theoretically dispersed in the atmosphere. The present study describes the theoretical behavior of variably sized platelets in the airways of the human respiratory tract. Methods: Aerodynamic characteristics of inhaled platelets belonging to the nano- or micrometer scale were approximated by application of the projected-area diameter concept describing particle orientation in the air-conducting lung structures and by calculation of the related aerodynamic diameter. Particle transport was assumed to take place in a stochastic lung architecture with respective variability of morphometric determinants in single airway generations. Deposition mechanisms used for the computations included Brownian motion, inertial impaction, interception, and gravitational settling. Calculations were conducted for three different breathing scenarios (sitting, light-exercise, and heavy-exercise breathing) and for platelets ranging in thickness from 10 nm to 1 µm and in maximal projected-area diameter from 1 to 30 µm. Results: Under sitting breathing conditions platelets with a thickness of 10 nm deposit in the airways by 21% to 40%, whereby a “hot spot” of deposition can be observed in airway generation 20. In the case of platelets with a thickness of 100 nm, deposition fractions ranging from 20.9% to 78.3% (maximum in airway generation 20) can be predicted. Platelets adopting a thickness of 1 µm deposit in the airways by 54.2% to 99.6% (maximum in airway generation 21). Increase of the breathing intensity can have either a reducing or enhancing effect on local deposition. Conclusions: Due to the partly high deposition fractions of platelets measured in the lung airways, these particles may bear the potential to act as serious health hazards that have to be subjected to further studies in the future.
Microdialysis technique for in-vivo monitoring of •OH generation on myocardial injury in the rat

Abbreviations: ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species; EPR: Paramagnetic Response; DHBA: Dihydroxybenzoic Acid; HPLC: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography; EPR: Electron Paramagnetic Response; XO: Xanthine Oxidase; MAO: Monoamine Oxidase; NA: Noradrenaline; ACE: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme; [K]o: Extracellular Potassium-ion Concentration; KATP: ATP sensitive K+; 5-HD, 5-Hydroxydecanoate; NO: Nitric oxide; NOS: NO synthase; ONOO-: peroxiniterite; L-NAME: NG-nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester; LDL: Low-density Lipoprotein; HMG-CoA: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A; 1O2; singlet oxygen; ECG, Electrocardiogram; DOPGAL, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol-aldehyde
INDICATING THE CRITICALITY OF CHANGES DURING THE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE

As technical changes account for a significant part of the efforts like cost and time in product development and result from failures, which mainly appear after the Start of Production (SOP), change management need to consider further life cycle phases to indicate the criticality of changes. With Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) concentrating on their core competences, suppliers are increasingly involved in the change process, which is challenging the established models for the evaluation of changes. This paper presents a model for indicating the criticality of changes, which is based on a product life cycle model and a change process including the change transmission by cause-effect relations. On that basis, a literature-based discussion of indicators leads to the deduction of two alternative indicators. The combination of those indicators finally enables the indication of the criticality of a change during the product life cycle through the affected life cycle phases and the organisational interfaces, which are the basis of the developed indication model.
Relations Between Executive Functions and Different Symptomatic Dimensions in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

There is no consensus in the literature as to neuropsychological functioning, the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) and the definitions of the OCS dimensions. We conducted a cross-sectional study investigating the relationship between executive function and OCS severity in the various dimensions, according to the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale criteria. We evaluated 28 patients with OCS, using eight neuropsychological instruments to evaluate executive function. We found that OCS severity in the contamination/cleaning dimension correlates negatively with executive function, inhibitory control and attentional control. Severity in the hoarding dimension correlated positively with cognitive flexibility, visual processing and logical reasoning, whereas it correlated negatively with the capacity to develop efficient complex problem-solving strategies. There was also a positive correlation between severity in the symmetry/ordering dimension and attentional control. Our findings suggest that the profile of executive function in OCD is defined by the severity of the various OCS dimensions.
Considering even-order terms in stochastic nonlinear system modeling with respect to broadband data communication

As a tradeoff between efficiency and costs \mbox{modern} communication systems contain a variety of components that can at least be considered weakly nonlinear. A critical element in evaluating the degree of nonlinearity of any underlying nonlinear system is the amount of undesired signal strength or signal power this system is introducing outside the transmission bandwidth. This phenomenon called spectral regrowth or spectral broadening is subject to stringent restrictions mainly imposed by the given specifications of the particular communication standard. Consequently, achieving the highest possible efficiency without exceeding the linearity requirements is one of the main tasks in system design. Starting from this challenging engineering problem there grows a certain need for specialized tools that are capable of predicting linearity and efficiency of the underlying design. Besides a multitude of methods aiming at the prediction of spectral regrowth a statistical approach in modeling and analyzing nonlinear systems offers the advantage of short processing times due to closed form mathematical expressions in terms of input and output power spectra and is therefore further examined throughout this article.
Bulk Scattering Properties for the Remote Sensing of Ice Clouds. Part I: Microphysical Data and Models.

This study reports on the use of in situ data obtained in midlatitude and tropical ice clouds from airborne sampling probes and balloon-borne replicators as the basis for the development of bulk scattering models for use in satellite remote sensing applications. Airborne sampling instrumentation includes the twodimensional cloud (2D-C), two-dimensional precipitation (2D-P), high-volume precipitation spectrometer (HVPS), cloud particle imager (CPI), and NCAR video ice particle sampler (VIPS) probes. Herein the development of a comprehensive set of microphysical models based on in situ measurements of particle size distributions (PSDs) is discussed. Two parameters are developed and examined: ice water content (IWC) and median mass diameter Dm. Comparisons are provided between the IWC and Dm values derived from in situ measurements obtained during a series of field campaigns held in the midlatitude and tropical regions and those calculated from a set of modeled ice particles used for light-scattering calculations. The ice particle types considered in this study include droxtals, hexagonal plates, solid columns, hollow columns, aggregates, and 3D bullet rosettes. It is shown that no single habit accurately replicates the derived IWC and Dm values, but a mixture of habits can significantly improve the comparison of these bulk microphysical properties. In addition, the relationship between Dm and the effective particle size Deff, defined as 1.5 times the ratio of ice particle volume to projected area for a given PSD, is investigated. Based on these results, a subset of microphysical models is chosen as the basis for the development of ice cloud bulk scattering models in Part II of this study.
PERFORMANCE OF EUROPEAN ASPEN (Populus tremula L.) UNDER THE COMBINED EFFECT OF ELEVATED TEMPERATURE AND UV RADIATION

Elevated temperature stimulates the physiology and growth of trees in the boreal region in general whereas the effects of elevated UVB radiation can be positive, negative or neutral. This field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of elevated temperature and UV radiation, separately and interactively on the chlorophyll content, gas exchange and growth performance of twelve European aspen (Populus tremula) genotypes including six females and six males. A modulated system of 2 ̊C elevated temperature and 32% enhanced UV radiation above the ambient levels were applied to the plants. In 2013, exposure period for the two-year-old plants was between the early June and mid-September. Chlorophyll content and gas exchange parameters were measured twice in early July and mid-August, and growth parameters were measured six times at about three weeks interval. Elevated temperature increased chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration while substomatal CO2 was decreased. Elevated temperature also increased height, basal diameter and shoot biomass. On the other hand, the main effects of elevated UV radiation were not significant on all the studied parameters except the marginally significant positive effect on shoot biomass. The combined effects were not significant on any of the measured parameters, but elevated UVB radiation mitigated to some extent the stimulation effects of elevated temperature on almost every parameter studied. Chlorophyll content, gas exchange and growth parameters were varied according to genotypes except the transpiration. This genotype-depending variation was further influenced by elevated temperature and UV radiation in height and basal diameter growth. The main effects of gender were only significant for chlorophyll content and height growth. Female genotypes had higher chlorophyll content whereas male genotypes had higher height growth. Genotypes from Southern Finland showed higher growth performance over the genotypes of Eastern Finland. In future, experiments with more European aspen genotypes may ensure the more accurate results of genotypic variation.
In vitro examining the existing prognoses how TBP binds to TATA with SNP associated with human diseases

We in vitro examined the existing prognoses of the dissociation constant, KD, between ТАТА- Binding Protein (TBP) and ТАТА box with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with human diseases. Five SNPs of the genes for cytochrome P450 2A6 (associated with lung cancer), β-globin (associated with β-thalassemia), mannose binding lectin (associated with variable immunodeficiency), superoxide dismutase 1 (associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and triosephosphate isomerase (associated with anemia) fell within the range of –ln(KD;M/KD;WT) between –1.5 and –1 (here KD;WT and KD;M denote the normal ТАТА box and with SNP). The mea-surements using EMSA demonstrated that: 1) all the predictions stating that the affinity between ТВР and ТАТА boxes with SNPs would be reduced were correct; 2) the departures of three predictions from the measurements fell within the confidence interval; 3) all the predictions consistently underestimated actual mutational damage caused to ТАТА boxes with SNPs (a < 0.05; binomial law) and two of these predictions did so significantly (a < 0.05, Student’s t-test). This consistent underestimation seems to be associated with the damage to the context that modulates ТВP/ТАТА affinity, for example, the contact between the nucleosomal histone H3-Н4 dimer and the core promoter immediately near ТАТА boxes.
Els impactes socials i urbanístics de la reforma del barri del Raval

El barri del Raval es l'area de Barcelona on la ratio entre espai lliure i edificacio es mes desafavorida. La falta d'espai public, en fa un teixit poc articulat malgrat la seva forta densitat. El Raval era un sector de la ciutat en clara decadencia, motivada per un progressiu envelliment de la poblacio, per una edificacio en precaries condicions d'habitabilitat, per una accessibilitat insuficient, per una manca d'espai public i per unes envellides infraestructures urbanistiques. Aquesta situacio del barri es va veure agreujada amb la progressiva arribada de poblacio immigrant, provocant la substitucio de la poblacio resident per una poblacio cada cop mes marginal. Amb totes aquestes premisses, el Raval demandava un canvi de dalt a baix. Aixi, cap a finals dels anys 80, aquesta preocupacio entre els ciutadans es va concretar amb l’elaboracio de l’anomenat Pla Especial de Reforma Interior del Raval. La reforma urbanistica propiciada pel Pla Especial de Reforma Interior l'any 1986 tenia com a objectius millorar les condicions de vida dels residents del Raval i tornar el caracter de centre d'activitats socioeconomiques que li corresponen per localitzacio i historia. Aixi com la creacio de nous espais lliures i la rehabilitacio o substitucio de l'habitatge. La forta intervencio publica dels darrers anys ha materialitzat practicament tota l'estructura urbana proposada pel P.E. R.I. del Raval. I d’aquesta manera, s'ha obert a la ciutat com a resultat de la millora de la seva accessibilitat i del seu espai public.
Implementing the Effective File System of Secondary Memory Management in Wireless Sensor Networks

This paper will present the importance of the wireless sensor network. These are playing significant role in research domains. Thousands of sensors are fabricated in a multi-hop wireless sensor network for computational operations, communication process, and sensing. The following are the major areas of applications where WSNs are used border security and surveillance, medical care, agricultural sector, traffic and transport monitoring, process control, fire monitoring and son on. Since, these networks are having wide range of real-time applications along with distributed embedded system. Hence, these systems need highly vibrant environments for huge computational operations and communications, must suit the parameters like resource limitations and limited communication capabilities, timing constraints. WSNs combines the sensing, computation, and communication into a single miniature component, that will have a sensors, a processing unit with restricted computational power and limited memory, a communication device may be a radio transmission control or optical transmission control and a battery for providing power source. There are many gaps in researching of memory management for WSN in associate concurrent applications. Management of real-time traffic needs lots of memory for emerging new applications in this area. So, it becomes a challenge to design effective memory management techniques. Finally, this project will specifically propose a efficient memory management technique for different operating systems to handle the such applications in WSNs.
Evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of deferoxamine as an adjunct to rational therapy alone or in combination with vitamin C in induced endotoxemia in dogs

The present study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of deferoxamine (DFX) as an adjunct to rational therapy alone or in combination with vitamin C in induced endotoxemia in a dog model in 2013 at Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. A total of 18 adult, healthy dogs of either sex were randomly selected and divided into three equal groups viz. A, B and C. All above parameters were recorded at baseline, during septic shock, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hrs after treatment. Survival index of one week was also recorded. Group A and group B showed better survival rate of 83 % than group C (66 %). The body temperature was elevated during shock in all groups but both A and B group attained the baseline value. As also was the case with the other clinical parameters. The haemoglobin concentration, RBCs count, neutrophils and lymphocytes were at lower level during shock in all groups and attained the baseline values 24-hour post treatment. Animals of group A (treated with DFX along with antibiotic and vitamin C) as well as group B (dosed with DFX & antibiotics showed better results than group C which received DFX without antibiotics and vitamin C. It was concluded that the DFX along with antibiotics can combat the septic shock and resulted in early and better recovery.
Red supergiants and the past of Cygnus OB2

Context. Red supergiants are the evolved descendants of massive stars with initial masses between 7 and 40 M⊙. Their brightness makes them easily detectable in the near infrared, making them useful probes of star formation that occurred several tens of Myr ago. Aims: We investigate the past star formation history of Cygnus OB2, the nearest very massive OB association, using red supergiants as a probe. Our aim is to confirm the evidence, found by previous studies, that star formation in the Cygnus OB2 region started long before the latest burst that gave rise to the dense aggregate of early O-type stars that dominate the appearance of the association at present. Methods: Near-infrared star counts in the Cygnus region reveal moderate evidence for a peak in the areal density of bright, reddened stars approximately coincident with Cygnus OB2. A total of 11 sources are found within a circle of 1° radius centered on the association, of which 4 are non-supergiants based on existing observations. Near-infrared spectroscopy is presented of the remaining seven candidates, including four that have been already classified as M supergiants in the literature. Results: We confirm the presence of seven red supergiants in the region and argue that they are probably physically associated with Cygnus OB2. Their location is roughly coincident with that of the older population identified by previous studies, supporting the scenario in which the main star formation activity in the association has been shifting toward higher Galactic longitudes with time. Their luminosities are compared with the predictions of evolutionary tracks with and without rotation to estimate the mass of their progenitors and ages. In this way, we confirm that massive star formation was already taking place in the area of Cygnus OB2 over 20 Myr ago, and we estimate that the star formation rate in the latest 6 Myr represents a six-fold increase over the massive star formation rate at the time when the progenitors of the current red supergiants were formed. Conclusions: The Cygnus OB2 association has a history of star formation extending into the past for at least about 20 Myr, probably dovetailing with the general history of star formation in the region that gave rise to other associations like the neighboring Cygnus OB9. The sustained massive star formation history also argues for a long lifetime of the giant molecular complex from which Cygnus OB2 formed, whose remnants constitute the present-day Cygnus X complex.
The London Geotechnical Centrifuge Centre at City University London

The London Geotechnical Centrifuge Centre located at City University, London is one of four currently active centrifuges in the UK. The centrifuge is well used and much of the geotechnical research at City University employs physical modelling but supported by a large element testing facility and numerical modelling capability. The centre was established in 1990 and the facility was extensively upgraded to provide more space for sample preparation and model making in 2004. In 2012 the centre is supporting 4 doctoral research projects in addition to visitors from China, Italy and UK. The focus of research is urban construction processes with an underlying theme of sustainability. Over the last 10 years the group has established a capability for tackling complex modelling problems and is currently investigating the application of smart instrumentation and control at high g.
Reflective Practice in Design Thinking, Learning and Performing Product and Process Development

This paper argues that educating engineers based on “traditional” engineering is not enough. It is becoming more and more important to build bridges to other disciplines as “innovation” and “design” and to build “multidisciplinary” environments to be successful in business and in research. The objective of the paper is to discuss how changes in education can prepare students in a better way for future work in the industry. The results in this paper are discussed in relation to Malardalen University in Sweden and an ongoing attempt to develop the education in engineering design in a multidisciplinary academic milieu.
The Presence and Activity on Facebook of the Informative Travel Organizations in Romania

In the context of a general increase in tourism activity and in the number of trips, and given that the consumption preferences of tourists are changing rapidly, the need for information becomes urgent and there is a concomitant development of public and private organizations involved in providing the necessary information to tourists who reach for the first time a tourist destination. This category includes tourist information centers (TICs), tourism promotion associations and tourism clubs. Being intensively based on information, the activity of informative tourism organizations suffers multiple changes, often radical, proving to be a favorable environment for the implementation of new information technologies due to their role in terms of providing and sharing information. In this sense, Facebook has special implications, being considered one of the fastest and most effective tools of Social Media, especially regarding the distribution of information and the promotion of products and services. The major objective of this research aims to highlight the stage of development of informative tourism organizations in Romania through the filter of Facebook visibility and communication. In this regard, we analysed the current state of presence and communication on Facebook of 109 tourism entities from 25 different counties of Romania: 43 tourist information centers, 44 entities with the name of association (tourism promotion association, ecotourism associations etc.), 18 travel clubs and 4 tourist information point/offices.
Correlation Analysis Associated with Shootfly Resistance in Sorghum

The correlation among different groups based on nature of resistance of cross combinations involving 4 females and 12 males revealed that the per cent dead heart was positively correlated with non-glossiness, per cent plants having eggs, number of eggs per plant, while in general the same was negatively correlated with trichome density, seedling height at 14 days after emergence. They were in similar direction in most of the comparisons among different groups but in general the magnitude of correlations were higher among the group of crosses involving female parents as resistant one.