Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Algebraic Specification of a 3D-Modeler Based on Hypermaps

Abstract We present the algebraic specification of a prototype interactive geometric modeler for 3D objects, whose topologies are represented by 3-dimensional generalized maps. After a reminder of some topological models, particularly maps and extensions, we begin with the more general frame of n-dimensional hypermaps. We specify algebraically a hierarchy of operations on hypermaps and generalized maps, which are embedded in a 3-dimensional Euclidean space. We make precise the modeling area and give the main functionalities of the modeler. We detail high-level operations on 3D objects, and some technical features of this software. Some constructions are explained using pictures. We show that hypermaps and algebraic specification constitute an efficient formal frame for developing large pieces of software in the area of boundary representation.
Operational reliability evaluation of power system with wind farm based on probabilistic load flow

Considering the fact that the operating condition of power system with wind farm is more complicated and variable, this paper uses probabilistic load flow (PLF)method and non-sequential Monte-Carlo simulation to analyze the operational reliability. Firstly, combining the historical statistical data of system components' outage rate and the operating characteristics of current system statement, this paper uses bus voltage and branch power flow as real-time operating variables to develop the real-time outage model for conventional generators and lines. As for the output of wind power's forecast, Beta distribution can well match the conditional probability of actual output of wind power with a given predictive value within short period. And then, the load-cutting model is improved by introducing bus real-time importance. Finally, the operational reliability of power system with wind farm is evaluated by calculating expected demand not supplied(EDNS)and the probability of system low voltage(PSLV) as indexes. The effectiveness of the models and method presented in this paper is tested by the modified IEEE-RTS79 system.
Porcine leptin receptor: Molecular structure and expression in the ovary

The porcine leptin receptor complementary DNA was cloned and sequenced and the leptin receptor gene expression evaluated in the porcine ovary. An open reading frame of 3498 nt cDNA was amplified from pig liver mRNA by RT‐PCR. Sequence homology with the extracellular, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic domains of human, mouse, rat, sheep, and cow leptin receptors varied between 45% and 90%. Leptin receptor mRNA was present in porcine kidney, liver, spleen, lung, brain, testis, uterus, ovary, corpus luteum (CL), theca, and granulosa cells. The abundance of leptin receptor transcripts and protein varied during luteinization of granulosa cells in vitro and in the CL during the pig luteal phase. In the postovulatory CL, both mRNA and protein were low but detectable, maximal expression was observed in the midcycle CL, and lowest abundance occurred in regressed CL. Leptin receptor mRNA was present in granulosa cells at isolation and increased in abundance as the cells luteinized over 96 hr in culture. Leptin receptor protein was detectable after 12 hr of in vitro luteinization. We conclude that leptin receptor is expressed in granulosa and luteal cells, and varies during pig ovarian cell differentiation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 56:465–474, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Delaying Effect of Financing Constraints on Investment

We develop a simple model in which a firm considers a number of investment projects. Because of limited financial resources, the firm can undertake at most one project. In line with the literature on real options we stress features like irreversibility, uncertainty and the possibility of postponing the investment decision and show under which conditions limited availability of funds tends to increase the value of waiting.
Diagnosing the Undiagnosed: Osteoporosis in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Fusion

Study Design. Retrospective analysis. Objective. The aim of the study was to report the incidence of undiagnosed osteoporosis in patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion using computed tomography (CT) Hounsfield units (HU). Summary of Background Data. We used a recent technique utilizing HU to estimate bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and hypothesized that this technique would reveal a high percentage of undiagnosed osteoporotic patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Methods. We reviewed patients older than 50 years undergoing TLIF from a single-center and multiple surgeons. We determined the mean HU of L4 on axial CT. Average HU values for patients with diagnosed lumbar osteoporosis (DEXA BMD <0.75 g/cm2) were compared to patients with osteopenia and normal BMD (between 0.75 and 0.9 g/cm2 and >0.9 g/cm2, respectively). The percentage of patients with HU values consistent with osteoporosis, but without any formal evaluation, was also calculated. Results. Over 10 years, 143 patients older than 50 years underwent TLIF, and 128 had available perioperative lumbar CT scans. Men and Women comprised 60.2% and 39.8% of the population, respectively. Average age was 61.5 years (range: 50.0–83.5 years). Twenty-nine patients had both dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and CT data available for analysis. There was a significant association with decreased HU in patients with lumbar BMD less than 0.75 g/cm2 (105.6 HU, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.76) in comparison to patients with osteopenia (146.0 HU, 95% CI 4.09) and with normal BMD (165.9, 95% CI 21.35). Ten men (7.8%) and 15 women (11.7%) had HU values consistent with osteoporosis. Sixty-four percent of patients with osteoporotic HU values had never been formally evaluated for the disease. Conclusion. HU may be an alternative to screening preoperative dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan and can minimize costs and resource utilization. We found a large proportion of patients older than 50 years undergoing TLIF had HU levels consistent with undiagnosed osteoporosis of the lumbar spine. Level of Evidence: 4
Bipolar affective disorder prior to the onset of multiple sclerosis

The frequent association of affective disorder and multiple sclerosis raises important aetiological and clinical considerations. Reported here are seven patients who presented with symptoms of multiple sclerosis and who had a preceding history of bipolar affective disorder. The hypothesis that bipolar illness may be the initial manifestation of multiple sclerosis is discussed with reference to relevant clinical and epidemiological research on the topic.
Misinformation is prevalent in psoriasis-related YouTube videos.

Background Psoriasis patients seek information online, but little is known about their interaction with YouTube. We examined the quality of content in psoriasis-related YouTube videos and investigated their interactions with viewers.Methods YouTube was searched using the term "psoriasis. " Relevant videos in English were independently categorized by two reviewers as useful, misleading, or patient view (regarding experience with psoriasis). Disagreements were settled by a third reviewer. Videos were rated on a Global Quality Scale (GQS) (1=poor, 5=excellent). Results According to our reviewers, 17% of the 47 videos were useful, 21% were misleading, and 62% represented patient views. Mean GQS scores were 4.2 ± 1.3 for useful videos, 1.7 ± 0.7 for misleading videos, and 2.2 ± 1.1 for patient view videos (p<0.001). Video views per day did not differ among the categories (p=0.65), whereas useful videos had fewest "Likes" (useful: 31 ± 55, 33 misleading: 151 ± 218, patient views: 165 ± 325, p=0.06) and comments (useful: 9.8 ± 18.3, misleading: 64.1 ± 89.7, 124.9 ± 34 199.4, p=0.009). Conclusions Useful videos were highest in quality but had similar viewership as misleading and patient view videos, with lower popularity and engagement of users compared to other categories. Physicians and psoriasis patients should be aware of this pattern when pproaching YouTube as a resource.
Soy isoflavones.

Although the mechanism of action is unclear, soy isoflavones mimic estrogen action mediated through estrogen receptors. In addition, this agent also modulates estrogen metabolism. As a result, soy isoflavones have been shown to reduce tumor cell proliferation and induce tumor cell apoptosis, as well as to be able to regulate hormone balance and reduce the risks of breast cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
Correlations and channel capacities for multi-polarized MIMO systems

The performance of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO systems strongly depends on the correlation between antenna elements. In this paper, we propose a model for calculating the correlation between multi-polarized Rayleigh fading MIMO channels, which takes into account not only the gain patterns of both transmitting and receiving antennas, but also the polarization matrix of the propagation channel, array configurations and joint three-dimensional power angular spectrum on both transmitting and receiving side. The proposed model is then used to investigate the channel capacity for various 3×3 MIMO configurations in different propagation environments. It is found that when the antenna array size is limited, angular spread and cross-polarization ratio is small, the ergodic capacity of a multi-polarized configuration performs better than that of a single-polarized configuration.
A Visual Stethoscope to Detect the Position of the Tracheal Tube

BACKGROUND: Advancing a tracheal tube into the bronchus produces unilateral breath sounds. We created a Visual Stethoscope that allows real-time fast Fourier transformation of the sound signal and 3-dimensional (frequency-amplitude-time) color rendering of the results on a personal computer with simultaneous processing of 2 individual sound signals. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the Visual Stethoscope can detect bronchial intubation in comparison with auscultation. METHODS: After induction of general anesthesia, the trachea was intubated with a tracheal tube. The distance from the incisors to the carina was measured using a fiberoptic bronchoscope. While the anesthesiologist advanced the tracheal tube from the trachea to the bronchus, another anesthesiologist auscultated breath sounds to detect changes of the breath sounds and/or disappearance of bilateral breath sounds for every 1 cm that the tracheal tube was advanced. Two precordial stethoscopes placed at the left and right sides of the chest were used to record breath sounds simultaneously. Subsequently, at a later date, we randomly entered the recorded breath sounds into the Visual Stethoscope. The same anesthesiologist observed the visualized breath sounds on the personal computer screen processed by the Visual Stethoscope to examine changes of breath sounds and/or disappearance of bilateral breath sound. We compared the decision made based on auscultation with that made based on the results of the visualized breath sounds using the Visual Stethoscope. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled in the study. When irregular breath sounds were auscultated, the tip of the tracheal tube was located at 0.6 ± 1.2 cm on the bronchial side of the carina. Using the Visual Stethoscope, when there were any changes of the shape of the visualized breath sound, the tube was located at 0.4 ± 0.8 cm on the tracheal side of the carina (P < 0.01). When unilateral breath sounds were auscultated, the tube was located at 2.6 ± 1.2 cm on the bronchial side of the carina. The tube was also located at 2.3 ± 1.0 cm on the bronchial side of the carina when a unilateral shape of visualized breath sounds was obtained using the Visual Stethoscope (not significant). CONCLUSIONS: During advancement of the tracheal tube, alterations of the shape of the visualized breath sounds using the Visual Stethoscope appeared before the changes of the breath sounds were detected by auscultation. Bilateral breath sounds disappeared when the tip of the tracheal tube was advanced beyond the carina in both groups.
IDENTIFYING PRIORITY CONSERVATION AREAS FROM BAJA CALIFORNIA TO THE BERING SEA

Conservation in the sea is similar to conservation on land; protecting places and species requires identification of appropriate targets for conservation. Many species range across international boundaries suggesting that effective conservation needs to be implemented at both the international level as well as the local level. Here we summarize a tri-national effort between Canada, Mexico and the United States, facilitated by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America (CEC) and Marine Conservation Biology Institute (MCBI), to identify priority conservation areas for the Baja California to Bering Sea region. Criteria for selecting ecological significant regions were based on protecting biodiversity at the North American scale. Priority conservation areas were identified based on current human threats and opportunities for international collaboration.
Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of venous sphincters in the rat lung

The rat pulmonary microvasculature was studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts and tissue sections. Special emphasis was placed on small pulmonary venous vessels. The shape of vascular casts was analyzed and interpreted concerning the wall composition of corresponding vessels studied in tissue sections. On the casts of pulmonary venules and small pulmonary veins, narrow or wider annular constrictions were regularly observed. Within these constrictions, marks of circularly running grooves were seen as an additional structural detail, which obviously mimic impressions of single or grouped smooth muscle cells. The depth of the constrictions varies; it may be more or less pronounced, occasionally narrowing down the luminal diameter to approximately 50%. These constrictions are caused by muscular sphincters. In tissue sections of small pulmonary veins, sphincter regions were identified as abruptly appearing single or grouped true smooth muscle cells. Smooth muscle cells may be arranged side by side in a group or bundle or even staked in two or three layers. Between the sphincter regions, the venous wall consists merely of endothelium and an accompanying connective tissue layer. The smooth muscle cells of a sphincter are regularly positioned between endothelial layer and elastic lamina. The smooth muscle cells next to the endothelium form myoendothelial junctions. Autonomic nerves near the sphincters were never seen. The venous sphincters described are suggested to be effective devices involved in blood flow regulation. Blood‐borne substances or local tissue hormones might govern sphincter function. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Noninvasive assessment of pediatric brain tumors

The use of imaging techniques to noninvasively characterize pediatric CNS tumors and assess response to therapy has advanced in recent years. Newer techniques, such as perfusion, diffusion and proton spectroscopy allow for evaluation of different tumor and tissue characteristics. The clinically utility of these techniques in the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and assessment of pediatric patients is currently being assessed. This article reviews these techniques and their potential application to children with brain tumors.
Estimation of Robot Position and Orientation Using a Stationary Fisheye Camera

A core problem in robotics is the determination of the location and pose of a mobile robot in its environment. The localization is a basic operation, which must be successfully carried out in complex environments using imprecise and/or contaminated data and is essential for a broad range of mobile robot tasks, since the robot behavior depends on its position. In this work, we propose the use of a stationary fisheye camera for real time robot localization in indoor environments. We employ a model for the formation of the image by the fisheye camera, which can be used for accelerating the segmentation of the robot's top surface, as well as for calculating the robot's true position in the real world frame of reference. The proposed algorithm for robot localization exploits the calibrated fisheye camera model and the known dimensions of the robot, whereas it does not depend on any information from the robot's sensors and does not require visual landmarks in the indoor environment. Furthermore, the pose (orientation) of the robot is determined using a triangular shape placed on top of the robot's flat top surface, using Hu's moment invariants, appropriately modified using the calibrated fisheye camera model. Initial results are presented from video sequences and are compared to the ground truth position, obtained by the robot's sensors. The dependence of the average positional error with the distance from the camera is also measured.
Optimal Wage Taxation When Human Capital and Employment are Endogenous

This paper studies how optimal wage tax conclusions from the classic two-period life cycle model of human capital accumulation are affected by endogenizing the number of taxpaying workers. In the absence of a corrective policy, young individuals underinvest in human capital from a social perspective because tax premiums for transfers to nonworkers are not actuarially adjusted downward for human capital attainment. A combination of wage taxes and wage subsidies can restore proper price signals. Numerical simulations suggest that even modest employment elasticities can be sufficient to substantially impact the magnitudes and even the signs of optimal wage tax rates. (JEL H21, H3, J24)
Visual Improvement following Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy in Diabetic Subjects with Clinically Significant Macular Oedema and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Proof of Principle Study

Background: Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema are more prevalent in patients with coexistent obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Objectives: We assessed if treatment of OSA with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) might improve visual acuity (VA). Methods: A total of 35 patients with clinically significant macular oedema (CSMO) and OSA [oxygen desaturation index (ODI) ≥10 or apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥15] were identified and agreed to be studied. VA (expressed as the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, logMAR), macular thickness, fundal photographs, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and rhodopsin mRNA were measured twice at baseline and at 3 and 6 months post-CPAP. Fluorescein angiography and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were obtained once at baseline and at 6 months. Results: Three patients withdrew before the first trial visit. Thus, a total of 32 patients (17 males) entered the study, and 4 subsequently withdrew; thus 28 completed 6 months of follow-up. Baseline characteristics of the subjects were as follows [mean (SD or inter-quartile range)]: age 66.2 (7.1) years, body mass index 31.7 (6.3), HbA1c 7.4% (1.44) [57.1 (15.7) mmol/mol], AHI 16.5 (11–25), ODI 16.0 (12–25), ESS 6.5 (4.0–12.0) and duration of diabetes 9.5 years (5.0–16.5). Participants were divided into 13 high and 15 low CPAP compliers (≥ and <2.5 h/night over the 6 months, respectively). At 6 months, the adjusted treatment effect on VA of high compliance versus low compliance was 0.11 (95% confidence interval 0.21 to –0.002; p = 0.047), equivalent to a one-line improvement on the logMAR chart. There was no significant improvement in macular oedema or fundal photographs. Conclusions: This hypothesis-generating, uncontrolled study suggests that ≥2.5 h/night CPAP usage over 6 months in individuals with CSMO and OSA may be associated with improvement in VA. This provides justification for a randomised controlled trial of CPAP therapy in such patients.
Domain-Specific Russian Retrieval: A Baseline Approach

Berkeley group 2 chose to perform some very straightforward experiments in retrieval of Russian documents using queries derived from topics in all three languages. Thus we performed two runs with monolingual Russian retrieval and one cross-lingual run each with German topics and English topics. Query translation was done using the online PROMT translator (www.translate.ru). Monolingual results were substantially better than the overall median performance of all Russian runs, and crosslanguage results were encouraging with German Russian retrieval doing substantially better than English Russian.
The Membrane-binding Motif of the Chloroplast Signal Recognition Particle Receptor (cpFtsY) Regulates GTPase Activity*♦

The chloroplast signal recognition particle (cpSRP) and its receptor (cpFtsY) function in thylakoid biogenesis to target integral membrane proteins to thylakoids. Unlike cytosolic SRP receptors in eukaryotes, cpFtsY partitions between thylakoid membranes and the soluble stroma. Based on sequence alignments, a membrane-binding motif identified in Escherichia coli FtsY appears to be conserved in cpFtsY, yet whether the proposed motif is responsible for the membrane-binding function of cpFtsY has yet to be shown experimentally. Our studies show that a small N-terminal region in cpFtsY stabilizes a membrane interaction critical to cpFtsY function in cpSRP-dependent protein targeting. This membrane-binding motif is both necessary and sufficient to direct cpFtsY and fused passenger proteins to thylakoids. Our results demonstrate that the cpFtsY membrane-binding motif may be functionally replaced by the corresponding region from E. coli, confirming that the membrane-binding motif is conserved among organellar and prokaryotic homologs. Furthermore, the capacity of cpFtsY for lipid binding correlates with liposome-induced GTP hydrolysis stimulation. Mutations that debilitate the membrane-binding motif in cpFtsY result in higher rates of GTP hydrolysis, suggesting that negative regulation is provided by the intact membrane-binding region in the absence of a bilayer. Furthermore, NMR and CD structural studies of the N-terminal region and the analogous region in the E. coli SRP receptor revealed a conformational change in secondary structure that takes place upon lipid binding. These studies suggest that the cpFtsY membrane-binding motif plays a critical role in the intramolecular communication that regulates cpSRP receptor functions at the membrane.