Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tunable soft structure in charged fluids confined by dielectric interfaces

Fluids of charged particles act as the supporting medium for chemical reactions and physical, dynamical, and biological processes. The local structure in an electrolytic background is deformed by micro- and nanoscopic polarizable objects. Vice versa, the forces between the objects are regulated by the cohesive properties of the background. We study here the range and strength of these forces and the microscopic origin from which they emerge. We find the forces to be sensitively dependent on the material properties of the charged fluid and the immersed solutes. The induced interactions can be varied over decades, offering high tunability and aided by accurate theory, control in experiments and applications. To distinguish correlational effects from simple ionic screening, we describe electrolyte-induced forces between neutral objects. The interplay of thermal motion, short-range repulsions, and electrostatic forces is responsible for a soft structure in the fluid. This structure changes near polarizable interfaces and causes diverse attractions between confining walls that seem well-exploited by microbiological systems. For parameters that correspond to monovalent electrolytes in biologically and technologically relevant aqueous environments, we find induced forces between nanoscopic areas of the order of piconewtons over a few nanometers.
Investigational drugs for the treatment of osteoarthritis

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common joint disease with multiple pathophysiological processes, affecting the whole joint. Current therapeutic options such as NSAIDs can provide a palliative effect on symptoms but have limited effect on disease progression. New drugs targeting OA structures may retard disease progression at an earlier stage and delay the need for joint replacement. Areas covered: Some drugs have entered into clinical trials and a few, such as strontium ranelate, do have improvements in both pain and structure changes. However, most of them have failed in clinical trials largely due to increased side effects or the failure to identify the right OA phenotype for the right drug in clinical design. This review describes various investigational drugs developed for the treatment of OA covering those at stages from preclinical experiments to early phase clinical trials. They include drugs for slowing cartilage degradation, regulating cartilage metabolism, targeting subchondral bone, controlling inflammation and relieving pain. Expert opinion: Treatment options for OA remain limited. However, with the emergence of sensitive tools to detect early disease progression and identification of different OA phenotypes, disease-modifying anti-OA drugs with increased benefit and reduced risks will become available for OA treatment in the near future.
Analysis of higher-order modes in coaxial conical transmission line

Analysis of cutoff characteristic for TE wave and TM wave is very important to design the geometry of structure (the angle of the cones) for TEM cell. In the paper, take the co-conical line for example. The half angle of inner conical conductor is 10° and that of outer conical conductor is 1.893°. An iteration method programmed in Matlab is used to solve the roots of the transcendental functions. Then the wavelength of the first three TE modes and TM modes is obtained. The cutoff phenomena in conical lines occur gradually, which is related to frequency and spatial location. The first mode is TE11 mode with cutoff wavelength 0.65r that is the same with solution presented by NIST. Therefore the calculated method can be proved effectively.
Éthique et régulations dans la société de l’information

La question de la « gouvernance » d’internet est apparue a beaucoup d’observateurs comme symptomatique de la maniere d’aborder celle de la societe de l’information. Elle est devenue l’enjeu de nombreux debats, sinon de caucus institutionnels internationaux. N’est-ce pas la une approche dictee par la technologie ? Dans cet article, l’auteur traite donc de l’ethique et de differents modes de regulation dans la societe de l’information.
Energy and delay constrained power control for file transfers over fading channels

We consider binary (on/off) power control strategies for transferring fixed size files (packets) over fading channels under constraints on transmit energy and transmission delay. The goal is to maximize the probability of successfully transferring the entire file. Three delay constrained scenarios are considered: infinite delay, an average delay constraint and a strict delay constraint. In the case of infinite delay tolerance, the optimal policy results in transmission only at the best channel state. It is observed that the probability of successful transfer is much higher under average delay constraints than for a strict delay constraint. In both average and strict delay constrained cases, the probabilities of success are seen increasing as the Doppler frequency increases.
Innovative moments and change pathways: a good outcome case of narrative therapy.

OBJECTIVES Our aim was to explore the development of innovative moments (i-moments) in therapeutic conversation and to study how they match our heuristic model that accounts for the development of change, drawn from previous empirical research. DESIGN In this therapeutic process research, we analysed a good outcome case of narrative therapy with a woman victim of intimate violence. METHODS This case, composed of 12 sessions, was analysed with the Innovative Moments Coding System: Version 1. This coding system allowed the identification of five different types of innovations (i-moments) that appeared during the therapeutic process: action, reflection, protest, re-conceptualization, and performing change. For each session, an index of temporal salience was computed, as the percentage of the time in the session that client and therapist spent talking about each i-moment. Our analysis procedures provided a quantitative and also a complementary qualitative approach. RESULTS Data showed that the types of i-moments emerged differently throughout the process. Early sessions were characterized mainly by action and reflection (low temporal salience), middle sessions were found to have mainly protest i-moments (low or middle temporal salience), and final sessions were characterized by the combination of high salient re-conceptualization and performing change i-moments. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggested that narrative change seems to develop in a cyclical way, in which different types of i-moments contribute to the development of a new self-narrative in different phases.
Recombinant human interleukin-11 does not modify biochemical parameters of bone remodeling and bone mineral density in adult ovariectomized rats.

Interleukin (IL)-11 stimulates osteoclast formation and inhibits osteoblast function in vitro and has been implicated in estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss. Herein we report the in vivo effect of recombinant human IL-11 (rHU-IL-11), administered s.c. in doses between 10 and 200 microg/kg/day for 6 weeks into 6-month-old rats after ovariectomy. There was no difference between vehicle-treated and rHu-IL-11 treated rats in the ovariectomy-induced increase in the urinary excretion of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline. Neither was there a significant effect of rHu-IL-11 on the plasma concentrations of osteocalcin and on bone mineral density (BMD) measured at a metaphyseal area of the distal femur after 6 weeks. At all dosages tested, rHu-IL-11 increased the femoral diaphyseal area. In conclusion, IL-11 has no deleterious in vivo effect on biochemical parameters of bone remodeling and BMD in estrogen-deficient rats.
Effect of education based on “PRECEDE” model on self-care behavior in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients undergoing hemodialysis due to multiple drug therapies, special diet plans, and need to acquire the ability to adapt to physical and mental disabilities require special monitoring. The PRECEDE-PROCEED model is a process for behavior change and can lead to the promotion of self-care behavior. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a health promotion program based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model on self-care behaviors in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: This was a clinical trial study that was performed on 67 patients undergoing hemodialysis in Lordegan Hospital that has been distributed in two groups randomly. Data were collected using self-care assessment form according to the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. Based on the results of this questionnaire, five educational sessions were held in the fields of knowledge, attitude, enabling factors, reinforcement, and behavioral factors for the samples. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics with SPSS version 21 software. RESULTS: According to statistical analysis before intervention, no significant difference was observed between the mean scores of self-care among the two groups. However, instantly and 3 months after intervention, the mean score of self-care (P = 0/03), knowledge, attitude, reinforcement factors, and behavioral factors (P < 0.05) significantly increased in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study PRECEDE-PROCESS model, the health promotion program increased the mean self-care score of hemodialysis patients. This program has been able to improve their self-care behaviors by changing knowledge, attitudes, and reinforcement and behavioral factors of patients and is recommending as an application in the nursing of these patients.
Automatic Recognition of Handwritten Digits Using Multi-Layer Sigmoid Neural Network

: One of the challenges we face in human vision is recognizing handwritten digits, since digits writing by free hand may differ from one person to another, sometimes it can be difficult to identify exact type of digits due to their shape and style upon which the digit is written. Automatic recognition of handwritten digits using multi-layer sigmoid neural network provides a solution to this problem. This approach employs the use of sigmoid neuron with feed forward and back propagation technique. This tool can ensure accuracy of more than 98 percent in recognizing various handwritten digits.
The role of thyroid hormone in metabolism and metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and thyroid dysfunction are common in clinical practice. The objectives of this review are to discuss some proposed mechanisms by which thyroid dysfunctions may lead to MetS, to describe the bidirectional relationship between thyroid hormones (THs) and adiposity and finally, to resume a list of recent studies in humans that evaluated possible associations between thyroid hormone status and MetS or its clinical components. Not solely THs, but also its metabolites regulate metabolic rate, influencing adiposity. The mechanisms enrolled are related to its direct effect on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) utilization, uncoupling synthesis of ATP, mitochondrial biogenesis, and its inotropic and chronotropic effects. THs also act controlling core body temperature, appetite, and sympathetic activity. In a bidirectional way, thyroid function is affected by adiposity. Leptin is one of the hallmarks, but the pro-inflammatory cytokines and also insulin resistance impact thyroid function and perhaps its structure. MetS development and weight gain have been positively associated with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in several studies. Adverse glucose metabolism may be related to hyperthyroidism, but also to reduction of thyroid function or higher serum TSH, as do abnormal serum triglyceride levels. Hypo- and hyperthyroidism have been related to higher blood pressure (BP), that may be consequence of genomic or nongenomic action of THs on the vasculature and in the heart. In summary, the interaction between THs and components of MetS is complex and not fully understood. More longitudinal studies controlling each of all confounding variables that interact with endpoints or exposure factors are still necessary.
Can Dormancy Affect the Evolution of Post‐Germination Traits? The Case of Lesquerella Fendleri

Seed dormancy, which is thought to have evolved in response to unpredictable environmental variability, has led to the existence of seed banks-populations of dormant, viable seeds in the soil. Seed banks are theoretically important to both the demography and genetic structure of plant populations. The presence of seed dormancy can also affect the evolution of traits not directly associated with dormancy and germination. Theoretical models have suggested that the existence of dormancy can influence the rate of evolution of post-germination traits. The eventual outcome (e.g., allele frequencies) may be influenced as well, leading to adaptive syndromes of germination and post-germination traits. Seeds that germinate in different conditions may experience different selective regimes for post-germination traits. If there are trade-offs between the fitness of post-germination traits in different environments, then seeds that germinate in the environment to which their post-germination traits are adapted will be at a selective advantage. If differences in germination and post-germination traits are genetically based, then potentially adaptive genetic correlations between germination and post-germination traits may evolve. We feel that investigating the ecological and evolutionary importance of these correlations requires an empirical approach. As a first step, here we ask whether the conditions necessary for such syndromes to arise exist in a particular plant population. We show that conditions favoring the joint evolution of dormancy and post-germination traits leading to adaptive syndromes exist in the mustard, Lesquerella fendleri, in central New Mexico. First, Lesquerella experiences the sort of variation in environmental conditions that would be expected to lead to adaptive trade-offs in the expression of post-germination traits for individuals that differ in germination traits. Annual precipitation varies greatly from year to year so that germination in drier years would be expected to select for more xerophytic traits. Within a year, microenvironmental spatial variation exists. Lesquerella growth and reproduction are sensitive to both year-to-year and microenvironmental variation. Second, the seed bank can affect both the demographic and genetic structure of the population. Dormant seeds remain viable for at least 3 yr and can mitigate the negative demographic effects of reproductive failure. Allozyme difference exist between seeds that germinate in the field and seeds that remain dormant, suggesting that the evolutionary potential of the aboveground population is influenced by dormancy. Finally the necessary genetic and environmental variation is present. Both germination percentage and post-germination traits (e.g., as well as among environmental treatments. Thus, the potential exists for Lesquerella to respond to selective diffences between different temporal or spatial environments.
Exploiting Graph-Structured Data in Generative Probabilistic Models

Unsupervised machine learning aims to make predictions when labeled data is absent, and thus, supervised machine learning cannot be applied. These algorithms build on assumptions about how data and predictions relate to each other. One technique for unsupervised problem settings are generative models, which specify the set of assumptions as a probabilistic process that generates the data. The subject of this thesis is how to most effectively exploit input data that has an underlying graph structure in unsupervised learning for three important use cases. The first use case deals with localizing defective code regions in software, given the execution graph of code lines and transitions. Citation networks are exploited in the next use case to quantify the influence of citations on the content of the citing publication. In the final use case, shared tastes of friends in a social network are identified, enabling the prediction of items from a user a particular friend of his would be interested in. For each use case, prediction performance is evaluated via held-out test data that is only scarcely available in the domain. This comparison quantifies under which circumstances each generative model best exploits the given graph structure.
Robust Multi-Period OPF With Storage and Renewables

Renewable energy sources and energy storage systems present specific challenges to the traditional optimal power flow (OPF) paradigm. First, storage devices require the OPF to model charge/discharge dynamics and the supply of generated power at a later time. Second, renewable energy sources necessitate that the OPF solution accounts for the control of conventional power generators in response to errors of renewable power forecast, which are significantly larger than the traditional load forecast errors. This paper presents a sparse formulation and solution for the affinely adjustable robust counterpart (AARC) of the multi-period OPF problem. The AARC aims at operating a storage portfolio via receding horizon control; it computes the optimal base-point conventional generation and storage schedule for the forecasted load and renewable generation, together with the constrained participation factors that dictate how conventional generation and storage will adjust to maintain feasible operation whenever the renewables deviate from their forecast. The approach is demonstrated on standard IEEE networks dispatched over a 24-h horizon with interval forecasted wind power, and the feasibility of operation under interval uncertainty is validated via Monte Carlo analysis. The computational performance of the proposed approach is compared with a conventional implementation of the AARC that employs successive constraint enforcement.
Seroma in Prosthetic Breast Reconstruction

Background: Seroma, as a complication of prosthetic breast reconstruction, results in patient distress, increased office visits, undesirable aesthetic outcomes, and—importantly—may escalate to infection and frank prosthesis loss. Herein, the authors review the pathophysiology and risk factors and attempt to collate published practices for avoidance and management of seroma. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies published between 2000 and January of 2015. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the overall pooled incidence of seroma and to examine the effect of drain number and acellular dermal matrix use. Results: Seventy-two relevant primary articles and three systematic reviews were identified. Fifty-one citations met inclusion criteria, including two randomized controlled trials. The overall pooled incidence was 5.4 percent (95 percent CI, 4.1 to 6.7 percent). Obesity, acellular dermal matrix, and preoperative irradiation were cited risk factors. Pooled relative risk for acellular dermal matrix was 1.83 (95 percent CI, 1.28 to 2.62). Drain practices were collated from 34 articles. Conclusions: Seromas following prosthetic breast reconstruction are complicated by the hypovascular, proinflammatory milieu of the mastectomy skin flap, the geometrically complex dead space, and the presence of a foreign body with potential contamination and biofilm. There is reasonable evidence to suggest that these factors contribute to a progression of seroma to infection and prosthesis loss. These findings have motivated this summary article on current practice guidelines and strategies to prevent and treat seromas. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, II.
Neuroprotective Effects of Endogenous Secretory Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products in Brain Ischemia

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is expressed on human brain endothelial cells (HBEC) and is implicated in neuronal cell death after ischemia. We report that endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE) is a splicing variant form of RAGE that functions as a decoy against ischemia-induced neuronal cell damage. This study demonstrated that esRAGE was associated with heparan sulphate proteoglycans on HBEC. The parabiotic experiments between human esRAGE overexpressing transgenic (Tg), RAGE knockout (KO), and wild-type (WT) mice revealed a significant neuronal cell damage in the CA1 region of the WT side of parabiotic WT→WT mice, but not of Tg→WT mice, 7 days after bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. Human esRAGE was detected around the CA1 neurons in the WT side of the parabiotic Tg→WT pair, but not in the KO side of the Tg→KO pair. To elucidate the dynamic transfer of esRAGE into the brain, we used the blood-brain barrier (BBB) system (PharmaCo-Cell) with or without RAGE knockdown in endothelial cells. A RAGE-dependent transfer of esRAGE was demonstrated from the vascular to the brain side. These findings suggested that esRAGE is associated with heparan sulphate proteoglycans and is transferred into the brain via BBB to exert its neuroprotective effects in ischemia.
Technical and clinical characterization of the Bio-PTH (1-84) immunochemiluminometric assay and comparison with a second-generation assay for parathyroid hormone.

BACKGROUND The Bio-Intact parathyroid hormone (1-84) assay (Bio-PTH), a newly developed two-site immunochemiluminometric assay, measures exclusively PTH (1-84) in contrast to second-generation "intact PTH" (I-PTH) assays. We investigated the technical performance and clinical significance of this new assay. METHODS PTH was measured simultaneously by the Bio-PTH assay and Allegro intact PTH IRMA in sera from Japanese patients with calcium disorders. RESULTS Measured Bio-PTH in serum was unaffected by six freeze-thaw cycles and was stable at 4 degrees C for 7 days and during storage at -20 or -80 degrees C over 28 days. The calibration curve was linear to 1800 ng/L. The detection limit was 3.9 ng/L. The intra- and interassay imprecision was <2.8% and 3.5%, respectively, for analyte concentrations spanning the range of the calibration curve. Bio-PTH was unaffected by a 1000-fold excess of PTH (7-84), although I-PTH reacted equally with PTH (7-84) and PTH (1-84). Bio-PTH was correlated with I-PTH in healthy individuals (r = 0.953; P <0.0001; n = 26) and in the full population without renal dysfunction (r = 0.994; P <0.0001; n = 62). In 72 volunteers, mean (SD) Bio-PTH was 22.2 (7.1) ng/L, or 62% of the mean I-PTH [36.1 (22.3) ng/L]. This ratio was 51% in hemodialysis patients (n = 177). Mean Bio-PTH was high in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism [121 (85) ng/L; n = 18] and hemodialysis patients [102 (104) ng/L; n = 177], low in idiopathic hypoparathyroidism [5.5 (2.8) ng/L; n = 4], and within 2 SD of the mean for healthy controls in Paget disease of the bone [34 (15) ng/L; n = 9] and bone metastasis [24 (12) ng/L; n = 8]. CONCLUSION The Bio-PTH assay is sensitive and precise and produces expected results for patients with the studied disorders of calcium metabolism.
Analysis of a Driver Behaviour Improvement Tool to Reduce Fuel Consumption

A number of technologies have been introduced into new automobiles with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions. One method of improving fuel consumption is to improve driver behaviour, since eco-driving techniques can help save 10-15% of fuel. A retro-fittable driver behaviour improvement device has been developed and tested in real world conditions. The device provides real-time audio and visual feedback to the driver to improve his/her driving style. It was tested on 15 vans belonging to various companies in the UK and over 39,000km of data was collected. It was observed that use of the device saved an average 7.6% of fuel. Further analysis showed that the savings were obtained as a result of improvement in driving behaviour through reduction in harsh accelerations and early gear shifting into higher gears. There was also a reduction in the pedal busyness of drivers with the system fitted. A model was created using the data obtained to predict the fuel savings that can be achieved if the device is fitted onto a new vehicle.