Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Local Colorings of Graphs

A local coloring of a graph G is a function c : V (G) −→ N having the property that for each set S ⊆ V (G) with 2 ≤ |S| ≤ 3, there exist vertices u, v ∈ S such that |c(u) − c(v)| ≥ mS , where mS is the size of the induced subgraph 〈S〉. The maximum color assigned by a local coloring c to a vertex of G is called the value of c and is denoted by χ (c). The local chromatic number of G is χ (G) = min{χ (c)}, where the minimum is taken over all local colorings c of G. If χ (c) = χ (G), then c is called a minimum local coloring of G. The local coloring of graphs introduced by Chartrand et. al. in 2003. In this paper, following the study of this concept, first an upper bound for χ (G) where G is not complete graphs K4 and K5, is provided in terms of maximum degree Δ(G). Then the exact value of χ (G) for some special graphs G such as the cartesian product of cycles, paths and complete graphs is determined.
PCF-based polarization splitters with simplified structures

We propose novel polarization splitters based on photonic crystal fibers (PCFs), in which the cores of the splitters are nearly nonbirefringent. Different from conventional fiber-based polarization splitters, the birefringence in the new splitters results mainly from narrow silica regions physically connecting the two cores. This means that polarization splitting can be achieved without employing highly birefringent cores, which provides a possibility to greatly simplify the structures of the PCF-based polarization splitters and make them more practical. A 5-mm-long splitter with an extinction ratio of 20 dB has been obtained. We also discuss how the silica regions influence coupling characteristics of the dual-core PCFs and present a design guidance for the polarization splitters based on polarization-dependent coupling.
The impact of record-linkage bias in the Cox model.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Record linkage (RL) has become increasingly useful in health care administration, demographic studies, provision of health statistics and medical research. Linkage failure may occur when databases are affected by missing or inaccurate information. In particular, if the subsets of those who are not linked are not representative of the original population, the results obtained from linked data may be biased. This paper discusses the impact of incomplete RL on survival analysis. METHODS In our study we assess by simulations the potential impact of such bias, that we will refer to as RL, on the effect of the covariates in the Cox regression model. We also evaluate the RL bias introduced by an incomplete linkage procedure on the analysis of survival in a cohort of patients with breast cancer. RESULTS Our simulation study shows that the relative bias of the factors, which the linking probability depends on, reaches the threshold of 20%, and is never less than 5%. The bias observed in the simulation for a comparable scenario is consistent with the actual one estimated from the breast cancer records. CONCLUSIONS Incomplete RL is rarely explicitly taken into account in the models for survival analysis. This study indicates that such a practice is potentially leading to inefficient and biased results, in particular in presence of medium or small sample sizes.
The diabetic neuropathic foot: a triple crush syndrome--measurement of compartmental pressures of normal and diabetic feet.

The role of chronic swelling in the feet of diabetic patients with severe neuropathy is unclear. It was hypothesized that swelling might raise the compartment pressures of the foot high enough above normal to produce nerve and soft tissue injury, ie, the triple crush syndrome. Four compartment measurements were recorded in 30 feet of 15 normal patients and in 34 feet of 20 patients with severe diabetic neuropathy and normal large vessel arterial blood flow. The lateral compartments produced unreliable results and were discarded from statistical evaluation. The mean medial compartment pressure was 7.8 mm Hg (SD 2.55) in the normal feet and 9.4 mm Hg (SD 4.08) in the diabetic feet. This was not a statistically significant difference. Highly significant differences were recorded in the interosseous and central compartments where the mean pressures were 6.4 mm Hg (SD 2.72) and 5.7 mm Hg (SD 2.89), respectively, in the normal feet and 9.3 mm Hg (SD 4.75) and 8.9 mm Hg (SD 5.0) in the diabetic feet (P < .05 for each group). Furthermore, within the diabetic group, 9 of 9 patients (100%) with clinically swollen feet had at least one compartment pressure measure two standard deviations (12 mm Hg) or greater compared with 5 of 11 (45%) in those without clinical swelling. This difference is significant (P < .01). We could not correlate elevated compartment pressures directly with soft tissue pathology. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analysis of passive targets detection using CDMA signal

The use of a non-cooperative code division multiple access (CDMA) transmitter as the illuminator for a bi-static radar system is investigated. A signal-processing scheme is developed to detect moving targets. This scheme uses the Doppler shift of targets echoes to estimate the targets' speed and time delay. The system contains two separate but collocated receivers where Doppler and cross-correlation processing is applied to the direct path and target signal path. We implement the cross-correlation processing using fast Fourier transform (FFT) instead of direct integration.
In vitro characterization of late steps of RNA recombination in turnip crinkle virus. I. Role of motif1-hairpin structure.

Molecular mechanisms of RNA recombination were studied in turnip crinkle carmovirus (TCV), which has a uniquely high recombination frequency and nonrandom crossover site distribution among the recombining TCV-associated satellite RNAs. An in vitro system has been developed that includes a partially purified TCV replicase preparation (RdRp) and chimeric RNAs that resemble the putative in vivo recombination intermediates (Nagy, P. D., Zhang, C., and Simon, A. E. EMBO J. 17, 2392-2403, 1998). This system generates 3'-terminal extension products, which are analogous to the recombination end products. Efficient generation of 3'-terminal extension products depends on the presence of a hairpin structure (termed the motif1-hairpin) that possibly binds to the RdRp. Replacement of the motif1-hairpin with two separate randomized sequences resulted in a basal level of 3'-terminal extension. By using three separate constructs, each carrying similar mutations in the motif1-hairpin, we demonstrate that the role of the motif1-hairpin in 3'-terminal extension is complex and its function is influenced by flanking sequences. In addition to the mutagenesis approach, competition experiments between wild-type and mutated motif1-hairpin constructs suggest that the TCV RdRp likely recognizes the secondary and/or tertiary structure of the motif1-hairpin, while individual nucleotides play a less important role. Overall, the data shed new light into the mechanism of 3'-terminal extension by a viral RdRp that is analogous to the late steps of RNA recombination in TCV.
Centrally Applied Somatostatin Inhibits the Estrogen-Induced Luteinizing Hormone Surge via Hypothalamic Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Cell Activation in Female Rats1

Abstract Overexpression of growth hormone (GH) as well as GH-deficiency dramatically impairs reproductive function. Decreased reproductive function as a result of altered GH release is, at least partially, due to changes at the hypothalamic-pituitary level. We hypothesize that hypothalamic somatostatin (SOM), the inhibiting factor of GH release from the pituitary, may play a central role in the “crosstalk” between the somatotropic and gonadotropic axes. In the present study we investigated the possible effects of a centrally applied SOM analog on the LH surge and the concurrent activation of hypothalamic GnRH neurons in female rats. To this end, female rats were treated with estradiol 2 wk after ovariectomy and were given a single central injection with either the SOM analog, octreotide, or saline just prior to surge onset, after which hourly blood samples were taken to measure LH. Two weeks later, the experimental setup was randomly repeated to collect brains during the anticipated ascending phase of the LH surge. Vibratome sections were subsequently double-stained for GnRH and cFos peptide. Following octreotide treatment, LH surges were significantly attenuated compared to those in saline-treated control females. Also, octreotide treatment significantly decreased the activation of hypothalamic GnRH neurons. These results clearly demonstrate that SOM is able to inhibit LH release, at least in part by decreasing the activation of GnRH neurons. Based on these results, we hypothesize that hypothalamic SOM may be critically involved in the physiological regulation of the proestrus LH surge.
Prevention of infantile spasms relapse: Zonisamide and topiramate provide no benefit

There is scant evidence to guide the management of infantile spasms after successful response to initial therapies. There is significant risk of relapse, largely because effective pharmacologic treatments cannot be continued long term because of concern for significant adverse events. Zonisamide (ZNS) and topiramate (TPM) are commonly used to prevent relapse, and the purpose of this study was to specifically evaluate the efficacy of ZNS and TPM as agents for secondary prevention of infantile spasms.
Role of Motivation in Higher Productivity

This paper explores the role of motivation in higher productivity. There is a general believe that man has the natural tendency to be lazy with regards to work and he is being forced by circumstances to work. According to some scientists, motivation is a need and organization is making great use of every facility in human works to achieve motivation. Productivity means the rate of power to produce, but productivity from the management or economic point of view is the ratio of what is produced to what is required to produce it. This study is therefore designed to find out the link between the extent to which various motivation strategies encourage the workers to improve their job commitment and increase their productive capacity. It is examined through the origin and evolution of related studies. On the other hand, it also offers information relative to the influences perceived and detected in these developments. This paper presents totally, a concepts based findings. These data allow us to offer an approximated picture of the motivation in higher productivity. Research suggests that individuals are motivated to perform well when the work is meaningful and individuals believe they have responsibility for the outcomes of their assigned tasks. It is recommended that, an organizational movement should be away from the current merit pay reward system to an organizational structure that promotes challenges and accomplishments, creates organizational learning opportunities, utilizes group incentives as well as individual incentives, rethinks job design, uses positive reinforcement and promotes healthy work environments.
DISTRIBUTED COLLISION DETECTION AND RESOLUTION

Multiplayer, online computer games often distribute game-object state to client machines in order to improve game scalability and responsiveness. Network latency and jitter are concerns in this context, although the impact is reduced by the use of predictive techniques such as dead reckoning. These techniques, however, introduce consistency concerns for important and hard to predict behaviours, such as object collisions. In these cases a centralized authority or client/server architecture is typically used to ensure strong consistency, limiting game scalability. In this work we propose a motion-lock protocol for distributed game collision detection and resolution. The motion-lock protocol improves performance of motion prediction by giving stations time to communicate and agree on the detected collisions. This reduces the divergence of object states and post-collision trajectories. Offline and online simulation results show the motion-lock protocol is able to maintain strong consistency in collision count and reduces post-collision deviation with a small sacrifice of 3-4% in responsiveness of player controls. Qualitatively, the visual result of the collision response is greatly improved. With the motion-lock protocol, multiplayer online games can offload basic collision detection and resolution to game clients, increasing scalability without overly sacrificing consistency. %%%%Multijoueurs, des jeux informatiques en ligne distribuent souvent tat du jeu-objet aux ordinateurs clients afin d'amliorer l'extensibilit de jeu et ractivit. Temps de latence et la gigue sont des proccupations dans ce contexte, bien que l'impact est rduit par l'utilisation de techniques de prdiction, comme dead reckoning. Ces techniques, toutefois, d'introduire des proccupations importantes pour la cohrence et difficile prdire les comportements, tels que les collisions d'objets. Dans ces cas, l'architecture d'une autorit centralise ou client/serveur est gnralement utilis pour assurer la cohrence forte, limiter l'volutivit jeu. Dans cette texte, nous proposons un protocole de motion-lock pour la dtection de collision jeu distribu et de la rsolution. Le motion-lock protocole amliore les performances de prdiction de mouvement en donnant stations temps de communiquer et de s'entendre sur les collisions dtectes. Cela rduit la divergence des tats de lobjet et trajectoires post-collision. Les rsultats de simulation en mode den ligne et hors ligne montrent le protocole motion-lock est en mesure de maintenir la cohrence forte du nombre de collisions et rduit l'cart aprs la collision avec un petit sacrifice de 3-4% de la ractivit des commandes du lecteur. Qualitativement, le rsultat visuel de la raction de collision est grandement amliore. Avec le protocole de motion-lock, les jeux multijoueurs en ligne peut dcharger la dtection de collision et la rsolution de base aux clients de jeu, ce qui augmente l'volutivit sans trop sacrifier la cohrence.
Temperature regulation in the echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

The echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) maintained a body temperature of 30.7°C ± 1.03 s.d. (N = 23) at ambient temperatures (TA) between 0 and 25°C. It may, however, also become hypothermic at low TA. At TA = 30°C or above the echidna became hyperthermic. The thermoneutral range was about 20–30°C. At low TA the metabolic rate might be increased several fold. The thermal conductance was at a minimum at TA = 20°C, and was not further reduced at lower TA. At higher TA the thermal conductance increased up to five‐fold. The evaporation showed little change with increasing TA. At the highest TA we used (33°C) the evaporation on the average accounted for the dissipation of only about one‐third of the metabolic heat produced. These findings suggest that the echidna, although it can maintain its body temperature at low ambient temperature, cannot rely upon evaporation as the major avenue for heat loss at high ambient temperature.
Enhancement in electroabsorption waveguide modulator slope efficiency at high optical power

An increase in transfer curve slope efficiency for a Franz-Keldysh effect InGaAsP-InP electroabsorption waveguide modulator is observed as the incident optical power is increased from 5.8 to 17 dBm. However, high-frequency RF measurements agree with the gain predicted from the low-power transfer curve at all optical powers. We attribute the increase in dc slope efficiency to a temperature-induced bandgap shrinkage of the electroabsorption material.
Synthesis of a hydroxyapatite nanopowder via ultrasound irradiation from calcium hydroxide powders for potential biomedical applications

Nanoscale hydroxyapatite based ceramics are a relatively new form of materials that are currently being investigated for a number of potential biomedical applications. This study reports on a straightforward wet chemical method that uses calcium hydroxide and phosphoric acid as precursors. After chemical synthesis a conventional thermal treatment was used to produce an ultrafine hydroxyapatite nanopowder. Varying ultrasonic power between zero and 400 W during the synthesis process produced crystallite sizes ranging from 15.4 nm down to 12.2 nm. The morphology of particles synthesized under the influence of ultrasonic irradiation was predominantly spherical and granular. Also present were a small number of irregular shaped plates. Energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed the samples had a Ca:P ratio of 1.66, which was very close to the ideal value of 1.67. FT-IR studies identified functional groups and confirmed the results of the X-ray diffraction data that the powders were indeed composed of nanoscale hydroxyapatite.
Comparison of Nonmaize Hosts to Support Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Larval Biology

Abstract With the recent commercialization of transgenic rootworm-resistant maize with high levels of antibiosis to larval feeding, the biology of western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, on hosts beyond maize, Zea mays L. , has become an important topic for which data are limited. Larval survivorship and growth parameters were monitored on the roots of 29 plant species comprised of maize, maize-field weeds, native prairie grasses, forage grasses, and small grain crops. Data on larval recovery and growth (measured as increases in head capsule width and accumulation of dry weight) were recorded at five samplings (6, 10, 14, 20, and 24 d) after initial infestation of the 29 species. Recovery and growth parameters were analyzed for inter- and intraspecific differences within and among sampling dates. Larvae survived at least 6 d after infestation on 27 species and 24 d on 23 plant species. Larval recovery and growth were impacted by both species and time after infestation. Growth and development of larvae were significantly slower on most plant species beyond maize; however, 18 of the species had larvae develop to the second instar, whereas larvae on 14 species developed to the third instar. Adults were recovered from five plant species in addition to maize. Because rootworm-resistant transgenic maize with high levels of antibiosis has become a part of the agroecosystem, weeds in grassy maize fields as well as adjacent forage grass species may become more important in the western corn rootworm life cycle, particularly because genes conferring resistance to postemergent herbicides such as glyphosate are stacked with transgenic rootworm-resistant maize hybrids.
Effects of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on sleep, daytime sleepiness, and early morning dystonia in patients with Parkinson disease.

OBJECT The aim of this study was to assess the long-term effects of bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) for Parkinson disease (PD) on sleep, daytime sleepiness, and early morning dystonia and to evaluate the relationship between total sleep time and motor function. METHODS Patients who had undergone bilateral STN DBS and a follow-up evaluation of 6 months (89 patients), 12 months (83 patients), and 24 months (43 patients) were included in this study. The patients were preoperatively assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) in the medication-on and -off conditions, and they completed patient diaries. A subset of patients also completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. These assessments were repeated postoperatively with stimulation. The UPDRS activities of daily living (ADL) and motor scores as well as total sleep hours were significantly improved at 6, 12, and 24 months poststimulation and with no medication compared with baseline values. Increased sleep time was significantly correlated with improvements in bradykinesia but not with tremor or rigidity. Patient-reported sleep problems and early morning dystonia were reduced after STN DBS. Antiparkinsonian medications were significantly reduced after STN DBS; however, there were no changes in excessive daytime sleepiness 6, 12, or 24 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Bilateral STN DBS increased total sleep time and reduced patient-reported sleep problems and early morning dystonia for up to 24 months posttreatment. These changes in sleep were related to improvements in functioning, specifically those affected by bradykinesia. Despite significant reductions in antiparkinsonian medications, STN DBS did not reduce excessive daytime sleepiness.
Relationship between blood pressure response during step exercise test and atherosclerotic markers

Abstract The relationship between blood pressure (BP) response to exercise and atherosclerotic markers were evaluated in a population based sample of 426 normotensive subjects. The subjects with greater increase of SBP during exercise and delayed recovery of SBP after exercise showed higher hs-CRP and SBP2. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the greater BP response and delayed BP recovery were independently associated with SBP2 after adjusting for resting SBP, age, and gender. These results suggest that early atherosclerosis may contribute to greater BP responses to exercise, supporting the concept that exercise BP adds incremental information of cardiovascular risks to resting BP.
Coil Design for Wireless Vehicle-to-Vehicle Charging Systems

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are seeing increasing worldwide adoption, largely due to their reduced greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on hydrocarbons. Slow advances in battery technology are one of major factors restricting the development of EVs. Many customers worry that their EV may run out of power during a journey, especially in colder climates. This paper proposes a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging system that works together with charging plug-in EVs, or operates independently. The new V2V charging technology helps to address problems due to a limited number of plug-in stations, as well as to reduce the risk of an EV running out of power during a journey. A novel transmitter coil structure is proposed for wireless V2V charging, to address issues caused by angular offset between the transmitting and receiving EV. Simulation results show that the novel transmitter coil structure is able to generate a stronger magnetic field than benchmark transmitter coils. An experimental prototype has been built for evaluation. Compared with the benchmark transmitter coil constructed from the same amount of materials, the novel transmitter coil structure offers more than 10 percent of efficiency improvement, which demonstrated by the 90% efficiency prototype.
BEHÇET'S DISEASE AND SURGICAL INTERVENTION

Behçet's Disease (BD) is a systemic disorder with an unknown etiopathogenesis. The need for clinical criteria in the establishment of diagnosis is of great importance. We present the case of a 27‐year‐old man with BD, who had a surgical operation during the active period of his disease and experienced subsequent complications. Cutaneous hyper‐reactivity response to minor cutaneous trauma—the pathergy phenomenon— is found in most patients with BD. Theoretically, major traumas may lead to major reactions in the skin or any of the organs. In practice, we observed that while there was a severe inflammatory reaction — histopathologically a superficial perivascular dermatitis—which developed at the incision site, the systemic symptoms of the disease increased in spite of intensive treatment of the condition.
Purification of Monomeric Prolactin Charge Isoform from Buffalo Pituitaries

Abstract A standard protocol for isolation of buffalo prolactin (buPRL) was modified at the alcohol precipitation step. This modification could separate lower molecular weight prolactin from the higher molecular weight prolactin (PRL). Reloading the prolactin onto a Sephacryl S‐200 gel purified the buPRL monomer. The purity of buPRL monomer was confirmed by 15% SDS PAGE. The buPRL monomer was >90% pure. It was characterized by specific anti‐buPRL serum in ELISA and Western blot. A native PAGE of the PRL showed three charge isoforms. A protocol was standardized to separate prolactin monomeric least acidic isoforms using an anion exchanger.