Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Delaunay triangulation for domain with acute angles

A new algorithm is presented to automatic generate conforming Delaunay triangulation of non-manifold geometric domains with acute angles. The algorithm is based on Delaunay refinement technique, which often failed to terminate when there are small angles in input geometry. By assigning proper weights to vertices on sharp-angled elements and take place Delaunay triangulation with weighted Delaunay triangulation, the algorithm can accept any inputs without any bound on angle and without setting any protected area and adding any new vertices near the sharp-angled elements. The algorithm also guarantees bounded circumradius to shortest edge length for all elements except the ones near small input angles. A simple terminator proof and some results are also presented.
Talking to me? Creating Networks from Online Community Logs

Online communities offer many potential sources of value to individuals and organisations. However, the effectiveness of online communities in delivering benefits such as knowledge sharing depends on the network of social relations within a community. Research in this area aims to understand and optimize such networks. Researchers in this area employ diverse network creation methods, with little focus on the selection process, the fit of the selected method, or its relative accuracy. In this study we evaluate and compare the performance of four network creation methods. First we review the literature to identify four network creation methods (algorithms) and their underlying assumptions. Using several data sets from an online community we test and compare the accuracy of each method against a baseline ('actual') network determined by content analysis. We use visual inspection, network correlation analysis and sensitivity analysis to highlight similarities and differences between the methods, and find some differences significant enough to impact study results. Based on our observations we argue for more careful selection of network creation methods. We propose two key guidelines for research into social networks that uses unstructured data from online communities. The study contributes to the rigour of methodological decisions underpinning research in this area.
Patterns of Referral to a Gender Identity Service for Children and Adolescents (1976–2011): Age, Sex Ratio, and Sexual Orientation

In a previous Letter to the Editor (Zucker, Bradley, Owen-Anderson, Kibblewhite, & Cantor, 2008), we provided data on the number of referred children and adolescents to a specialized gender identity service between the years 1976–2007 (grouped by 4-year intervals). In that Letter, we noted three key observations: (a) the number of children assessed on an annual basis substantially exceeded the number of adolescents assessed; (b) the number of referred children increased sharply for the 1988–1991 cohort and had remained stable since that time; and (c) in the last cohort of adolescents (2004–2007), there was a sharp increase in the number of cases. Regarding the last point, we queried whether gender identity disorder in adolescents was “coming out of the closet” and suggested a number of reasons why this might be the case. In this Letter, we provide information on a new cohort (2008–2011) and, in addition, consider more carefully some other demographic factors, including the sex ratio, the sex ratio by age intervals, and the sexual orientation of the adolescent patients.
Dispersion-tolerant multiple WDM channel millimeter-wave signal generation using a single monolithic mode-locked semiconductor laser

This work presents a scheme by which multiple wavelength-division-multiplexed millimeter-wave (mm-wave) signals in the range of 30 GHz can be generated from a single monolithic semiconductor laser for applications in optically fed mm-wave networks or fiber radio networks. The mm-wave signals are generated using dual optical modes separated by a mm-wave frequency, obtained from spectrum slicing the output from a stable multimode hybrid mode-locked semiconductor laser. In this scheme, self-heterodyne detection at a high-speed photodetector achieves the photonic upconversion of low-data-rate signals to mm-wave frequencies without the need for electronic mixing. Experimental results show the generation of up to 14 WDM channels using a single laser. The phase noise of electrical signals generated by photonic upconversion of these signals is less than -94 dBc/Hz at 100-kHz offset frequency across the wavelengths. Also presented is the transmission of 155-Mb/s binary-phase-shift-keyed data signals at 30-GHz frequency over 10 km of single-mode fiber at different wavelengths using dual-mode signals. The results confirm that a bit-error rate of 10/sup -9/ can be easily achieved. The dispersion tolerance of the dual-mode signals is evaluated using simulation and an analytical model and compared with other mm-wave signal generation techniques.
The ongoing regulation of generic drugs.

The Hatch–Waxman Act set the rules under which generic pharmaceutical products could compete with brand-name products. Richard Frank writes that market participants have responded to the regulations in ways that serve their own interests. Richard Frank discusses the law regulating generic drugs, the ways in which pharmaceutical manufacturers have responded to it, and its applicability to biologic agents. Dr. Frank is a professor of health economics at Harvard Medical School, Boston.
A modeling link between cognitive and biological homeostasis

The problem of stability has long been a limiting factor in developing neural networks that can grow in size and complexity. Outside of particular, narrow parameter ranges, changes in activity can easily result in total loss of control. Human cognition must have reliable means of acting to stay within the stable ranges of sensitivity and activation. Learning is one such mechanism, and population dynamics are another. Here, we focus on another, often overlooked stability mechanism: cellular homeostasis through metabolism dynamics. We ran a visual change detection experiment designed to strain network stability while minimizing any learnable patterns. We fit the data using models with and without cellular energy levels as a factor, finding that the model influenced by its past history of energy use was a closer fit to the human data.
Linear unilateral basal cell nevus with comedones.

A patient is presented and the literature of previously reported cases is reviewed, of a rare nevoid disorder which involves the skin and possibly the axial skeleton. The cutaneous lesion consists of a unilateral and extensive eruption, usually present since birth, and consisting of numerous basal cell epitheliomas, comedones and cysts, and areas of atrophy. The clinical and microscopic findings are presented and this lesion is clearly distinguished from the basal cell nevus syndrome. The relationship of the lesions to the primary epithelial germ is also considered.
The Incidental Orgasm: The Presence of Clitoral Knowledge and the Absence of Orgasm for Women

ABSTRACT Women report anorgasmia and other difficulties achieving orgasm. One approach to alleviating this problem is to teach women about the clitoris. This assumes that women lack information about the clitoris and that knowledge about the clitoris is correlated with orgasm. Using a non-random sample of 833 undergraduate students, our study investigates both assumptions. First, we test the amount of knowledge about the clitoris, the reported sources of this knowledge, and the correlation between citing a source and actual knowledge. Second, we measure the correlation between clitoral knowledge and orgasm in both masturbation and partnered sex. Among a sample of undergraduate students, the most frequently cited sources of clitoral knowledge (school and friends) were associated with the least amount of tested knowledge. The source most likely to correlate with clitoral knowledge (self-exploration) was among the most rarely cited. Despite this, respondents correctly answered, on average, three of the five clitoral knowledge measures. Knowledge correlated significantly with the frequency of women's orgasm in masturbation but not partnered sex. Our results are discussed in light of gender inequality and a social construction of sexuality, endorsed by both men and women, that privileges men's sexual pleasure over women's, such that orgasm for women is pleasing, but ultimately incidental.
Activation of trehalase by membrane-depolarizing agents in yeast vegetative cells and ascospores

The membrane-depolarizing agents 2,4-dinitrophenol, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, and nystatin are known to cause a rapid increase in the cyclic AMP level in fungal cells. Addition of these proton ionophores to yeast stationary-phase cells or ascospores causes an immediate 10-fold increase in trehalase activity. This observation is in agreement with a role for cyclic AMP-induced phosphorylation in the activation process of trehalase. It also provides an explanation for previous results on the induction of trehalose breakdown by 2,4-dinitrophenol in resting yeast cells.
The magnetic mismatch field elicited by words and phonological non‐words

THE speech-evoked magnetic mismatch field was measured using a 49-channel gradiometer. The standard stimuli were words in one condition and phonological non-words in another condition. The deviants were nonwords throughout. The equivalent current dipole fitted to the mismatch field was deeper inside the brain and its dipole moment was stronger for non-word than word standards. The factor structure of field amplitude, source dipole moment, and depth suggested that the lexicality conditions differed in source surface area and depth, but not in source current density. This lexicality effect is compatible with a modular rather than an interactive view of the relationship between lexical and phonetic representation.
Synthesis and Purification of Mono‐PEGylated Insulin

Monomethoxypoly(ethylene glycol) 5000 (mPEG5K) and 2000 (mPEG2K) were activated to produce mPEG‐aldehyde with content over 80%. Effects of reaction time, pH and initial molar ratio of mPEG‐aldehyde to insulin on synthesis of PEGylated insulin were studied, taking mPEG5K‐aldehyde as a model. On the optimized condition, approximately 90% of product was mono‐PEGylated insulin. Mono‐PEGylated insulin was purified by ion‐exchange chromatography. The purity of each component was analysed by RP‐HPLC and the results showed an efficient purification. Matrix assistant laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectra demonstrated that the modification site of mono‐PEGylated insulin was PheB1. The biological activity of all PEGylated insulin was also evaluated.
Surveying Rubisco Diversity and Temperature Response to Improve Crop Photosynthetic Efficiency1[OPEN]

Species diversity in Rubisco catalysis shows consistencies in temperature response, which can be used to improve crop photosynthetic efficiency. The threat to global food security of stagnating yields and population growth makes increasing crop productivity a critical goal over the coming decades. One key target for improving crop productivity and yields is increasing the efficiency of photosynthesis. Central to photosynthesis is Rubisco, which is a critical but often rate-limiting component. Here, we present full Rubisco catalytic properties measured at three temperatures for 75 plants species representing both crops and undomesticated plants from diverse climates. Some newly characterized Rubiscos were naturally “better” compared to crop enzymes and have the potential to improve crop photosynthetic efficiency. The temperature response of the various catalytic parameters was largely consistent across the diverse range of species, though absolute values showed significant variation in Rubisco catalysis, even between closely related species. An analysis of residue differences among the species characterized identified a number of candidate amino acid substitutions that will aid in advancing engineering of improved Rubisco in crop systems. This study provides new insights on the range of Rubisco catalysis and temperature response present in nature, and provides new information to include in models from leaf to canopy and ecosystem scale.
Androgens regulate scarless repair of the endometrial “wound” in a mouse model of menstruation

The human endometrium undergoes regular cycles of synchronous tissue shedding (wounding) and repair that occur during menstruation before estrogen‐dependent regeneration. Endometrial repair is normally both rapid and scarless. Androgens regulate cutaneous wound healing, but their role in endometrial repair is unknown. We used a murine model of simulated menses; mice were treated with a single dose of the nonaromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT; 200 μg/mouse) to coincide with initiation of tissue breakdown. DHT altered the duration of vaginal bleeding and delayed restoration of the luminal epithelium. Analysis of uterine mRNAs 24 h after administration of DHT identified significant changes in metalloproteinases (Mmp3 and ‐9; P < 0.01), a snail family member (Snai3; P < 0.001), and osteopontin (Sppl; P < 0.001). Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis identified putative androgen receptor (AR) binding sites in the proximal promoters of Mmp9, Snai3, and Spp1. Striking spatial and temporal changes in immunoexpression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3/9 and caspase 3 were detected after DHT treatment. These data represent a paradigm shift in our understanding of the role of androgens in endometrial repair and suggest that androgens may have direct impacts on endometrial tissue integrity. These studies provide evidence that the AR is a potential target for drug therapy to treat conditions associated with aberrant endometrial repair processes. —Cousins, F. L. , Kirkwood, P. M. , Murray, A. A. , Collins, F. , Gibson, D. A. , Saunders, P. T. K. Androgens regulate scarless repair of the endometrial “wound” in a mouse model of menstruation. FASEB J. 30, 2802‐2811 (2016). www.fasebj. org
Environmental acidity and white muscle recruitment during swimming in the brown trout (Salmo trutta)

Electromyographic recordings show that, for adult brown trout swum up to their critical swimming speed (Ucrit) in a flume at neutral pH, white muscle recruitment occurred when speeds approached 1 body length s-1 (BL s-1) and continued to Ucrit (approximately 2 BL s-1) at both winter (5 °C) and summer (15 °C) acclimation temperatures. However, in the majority of fish swum up to Ucrit at sublethal acidic pH, continuous white muscle recruitment did not occur, although all swam above 1 BL s-1. Any observed electrical activity of the white muscle in these individuals was, at best, intermittent. Consequently, the mean Ucrit of these fish was approximately half that of fish swum at neutral pH. In all fish at sublethal pH, red muscle activity was observed for the whole duration of the exercise period, showing that swimming speeds greater than 1 BL s-1 were achieved largely aerobically. Fish that were chased around a tank at sublethal pH appeared lethargic in their escape response, exhibiting little or no burst swimming. Other observed effects of exposure to sublethal pH, which may have affected swimming capacity, included increases in the resting levels of blood and muscle ammonia, reduced muscle glycogen stores and reduced muscle ion concentrations.
Biochemistry and pharmacology of lipid antioxidants in acute brain and spinal cord injury.

Oxygen radical-mediated lipid peroxidation (LP) has been suggested increasingly to be an important factor in posttraumatic neuronal degeneration. Thus, numerous studies have evaluated the neuroprotective efficacy of pharmacological agents with lipid antioxidant activity in models of spinal cord and brain injury. Intensive pretreatment of animals with the endogenous lipid peroxyl radical scavenger vitamin E (i.e., alpha-tocopherol) has been shown to decrease posttraumatic spinal cord ischemia and to enhance chronic neurological recovery. However, the slow CNS tissue uptake of vitamin E requires chronic dosing, making it an impractical agent for treatment of acute neural injury. The glucocorticoid steroid, methyl-prednisolone (MP), has been shown to possess significant antioxidant efficacy and, when administered to animals or humans in antioxidant doses, improves chronic neurological recovery after spinal cord injury. This activity of MP is independent of the steroid's glucocorticoid receptor-mediated actions, as evidenced by the efficacy of the novel antioxidant 21-aminosteroids, which are devoid of glucocorticoid activity but have greater antioxidant efficacy than MP. One of these, tirilazad mesylate (U-74006F), has been shown to be effective in animal models of brain and spinal cord injury and is currently the subject of phase II clinical trials. Recently, compounds that combine the amino functionality of the 21-amino-steroids with the peroxyl radical scavenging chromanol portion of vitamin E (i.e., 2-methylaminochromans) also have shown promise as neuroprotective agents. The consistent benefit afforded by antioxidant compounds further supports the concept that LP is an important therapeutic target for acute pharmacological neuroprotection.
Tracheal reconstruction: In vitro and in vivo animal pilot study

In order to further address the problem of tracheal stenosis, an animal model was created to simulate both local and regional tracheal injury. An epithelial equivalent created from a fibroblast‐collagen matrix was used to attempt to either inhibit or lessen the degree of tracheal stenosis that was evident in animal models. Preliminary data appears to show that the epithelial equivalent is effective in limiting and perhaps even abolishing the development of tracheal stenosis.
Robust H∞ filtering for a class of linear systems with uncertainties and time-varying distributed delays

In this paper, the problem of delay-dependent robust H∞ filtering for uncertain linear systems with time-varying distributed delays is considered. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, a stable linear filter is designed to ensure that the filtering error system is asymptotically stable with a prescribed level of noise attenuation and established in term of linear matrix inequalities(LMIs). Finally, a numerical example is given to demonstrate the availability of the proposed method.
AN UPDATE ON PLANT SPACE BIOLOGY

Space craft in low-Earth orbit can provide a microgravity laboratory for the study of the fundamental processes underlying gravity perception and plant development. This microgravity environment also presents significant challenges for the cultivation of plants for biological life support systems and as a supplemental food source for astronauts. The goal of this brief review is to highlight the progress made in these areas over the last decade. Although some advances have been made in a number of fields of fundamental space biology, most remain in the early stages of development due to the limited number of opportunities for spaceflight experiments. In almost all research areas, interpretation of flight experiments would be improved through the use of an onboard centrifuge to provide a 1-g control, a capability available on some facilities on the International Space Station (ISS). Paradoxically, just as the ISS nears completion, investment in fundamental biological research and access to this state-of-the-art platform for research in microgravity will become severely limited due to both the retirement of the U.S. Space Shuttle and the reorganization of NASA around the exploration agenda.
A practical operator support scheme and its application to safety-ensured object break using dual-arm machinery

A practical operator support system for disaster response work using construction machinery is applied to object-break operations using a dual-arm machine. An object-break operation, which separates an object into two different parts by applying massive pulling force, requires skillful force and trajectory controls. Operators typically have trouble visually perceiving the movement of the manipulator because the target object is strongly restrained. As a result, after the object has been separated into two pieces, the operator may continue performing lever operations because of unavoidable perception reaction time and the manipulator may collide with the surrounding environment. A control input cancellation system based on object-break identification is proposed to reduce the time difference between the object break and operation stoppage. A support system for disaster response situations must be safe and efficient and accommodate operators with various skill levels; thus, common physical phenomena related to the object breakage should be exploited. The system cancels control inputs to stop the movement of the manipulator when an object-break flag is detected, which is defined as a situation where the force applied to each joint of a manipulator decreases rapidly when a lever operation and load on the inside of the grapple are detected. Demolition experiments were conducted using a hydraulic dual-arm system. The results indicate that the displacement of the end-point after the object breaks is greatly decreased and the completion time of the task is reduced as well. Graphical Abstract
Observation of large wave vector interface spin waves: Ni(100)/fcc Co(100) and Cu(100)/Co(100)

Using electron energy loss spectroscopy, we have probed the spin waves of fcc(100) cobalt after capping with 1–3 atom layers of pseudomorphic nickel or up to 12 atom layers of copper. The intensity decay of the spin wave signal is quantitatively described by the mean-free path of the incident and the scattered electron within the capping layer. The observed spin waves are therefore localized at the cobalt side of the Co/Ni and Co/Cu interfaces. Compared to the free cobalt surface, the interface spin waves are downshifted in frequency. The effect is attributed to a reduced exchange interaction between cobalt atoms at the interface.
Stochastic Analysis and Measurement of Error Vector Magnitude of OFDM Signal in MMIC Nonlinear Power Amplifier

Theoretical approach to predict the error vector magnitude (EVM) performance of an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) system in the presence of nonlinear distortion caused by RF amplifiers is described. It is shown that the EVM model can be described by means of the autocorrelation of uncorrelated distortion noise term and a common complex gain. For the experimental validation, an EVM value of modulated signals through the fabricated HBT MMIC power amplifier is derived by the proposed method and compared with the measurement results.
The daily food consumption of laying hens in relation to egg formation.

Synopsis The voluntary food consumption of, respectively, 4 and 5 colostomised laying hens was studied in 2 experiments at both normal (20° C.) and high (30° C.) environmental temperatures over a total period of 60 days. Food consumption was greater during 24 hr periods when egg formation was in progress than when no egg was present in the oviduct. At high temperatures food intake was reduced less on egg‐forming than on non‐egg‐forming days. In a further experiment lasting 24 days 12 normal pullets laying for long sequences with pauses of single days consumed 25 per cent more food in the 19 hr period 14.30–09.30 hr when eggs were being formed than when they were not. During the 5 hr period 09.30–14.30 hr food consumption was significantly greater when albumen was being secreted than when shell formation was in progress. It is suggested that the requirements of the bird for albumen synthesis may regulate food intake during the period of egg formation.