Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design Patterns and Change Proneness: A Replication Using Proprietary C# Software

This paper documents a study of change in commercial, proprietary software and attempts to determine whether a relationship exists between a class’ propensity to change and its design context; more specifically: whether a class is a participant in a design pattern. We identify specific design patterns and their propensity for change. Design pattern participants were found to have a higher propensity to change than classes that did not participate in a design pattern, supporting an earlier study by Bieman et al.; some design patterns, such as the Adaptor, Factory Method and Singleton were found have a higher change propensity than others.
Carbon Storage in Cold Temperate Ecosystems in Southern Patagonia, Argentina

Recently there has been an increasing interest of research related to improve the understanding of carbon (C) sequestration mainly under Article 3.4 of the Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change where countries can count this sequestration as a contribution to reduce greenhouse gas emission (IPCC, 2001). Data on C storage in forests, grasslands and shrublands are essential for understanding the importance of rapidly increasing level of CO2 in the atmosphere and its potential effect on global climate change. In South America, mean annual temperature is predicted to increase by 3-4 °C in both summer and winter between 30° and 55° SL (Manabe & Wetherald, 1987). Such an increase would have significant effects on Patagonian ecosystems. In this context, secondary indigenous forests are considered efficient C sink ecosystems. Nothofagus antarctica (nire), one of the main deciduous native species in the Patagonian region (Argentina), covers 751.643 hectares over a wide latitudinal (from 36° 25' to 54° 53' SL) and altitudinal (near sea level to 2000 m.a.s.l.) distribution. These forests occur naturally in different habitats such as poorly drained sites at low elevations, exposed windy areas with shallow soils, depressions under cold air influence, or in drier eastern sites near the Patagonian steppe (Veblen et al., 1996). These forests provide a range of wood products including poles, firewood and timber for rural construction purposes. Site quality for N. antarctica ranges from tall trees up to 15 m in dominant height on the best sites to shrubby trees of 2 m tall on rocky, xeric and exposed sites, and also in poorly drained sites. Previous research has highlighted the importance of stand age on the magnitude of C pools in both forest biomass and forest floor pools (Silvester & Orchard, 1999; Davis et al., 2003). Largescale canopy disturbance in N. antarctica forests may occur as a result of blowdown, snow avalanches or fire. This results in abundant regeneration (100,000 seedlings ha-1 less than 1 m tall, up to 20 years of age) followed by self thinning due mainly to light competition resulting in a final stand density of 200-350 trees ha-1 at mature stages (more than 180 years of age). It is important to emphasize that many researchers have only focused on aboveground carbon sequestration (Davis et al., 2003). However, roots in forest ecosystems can contribute up to two times more biomass than above-ground components in young growth phases (Peri et al., 2006, 2008). There are few studies of aboveand below-ground pools of C
Should Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin be Preferred Over Unfractionated Heparin After Thrombolysis for Severity Pulmonary Embolism?

Purpose: The role of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in managing nonmassive pulmonary embolism (PE) is well known. In unstable cases, especially after thrombolytic therapy for massive PE, unfractionated heparin (UFH) is preferred for PE management. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of LMWH after thrombolytic therapy. Methods: A prospective, observational multicenter trial was performed in 249 patients with acute PE who required thrombolysis. Massive and submassive PEs were categorized into 2 groups depending on whether they were treated with LMWH or UFH after thrombolytic treatment. The primary end point was all-cause mortality during the first 30 days; the secondary end point included all-cause mortality, nonfatal symptomatic recurrent PEs, or nonfatal major bleeding. Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 60.7 ± 15.5 years. The PE severity was massive in 186 (74.7%) patients and submassive in 63 (25.3%). The incidence of all-cause 30-day death was 8.2% and 17.3% in patients with LMWH and UFH, respectively (P = .031). Major hemorrhage occurred in 4% (n = 5) and 7.9% (n = 10) of patients and minor hemorrhage occurred in 9% (n = 11) and 13.4% (n = 17) of the cases treated with LMWH and UFH, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that LMWH treatment can be used safely in patients with PE after thrombolytic therapy.
Quantitative study of the production and properties of alginate/poly-L-lysine microcapsules

Alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules are of particular interest for their application as implants or for bioreactor cultures. Although their formation has been widely studied, there is still a lack of quantitative data describing resistance, membrance thickness and permeability. In this study, the quantitative application of a Texture Analyser for the measurement of capsule deformation yielded important results that permit comparison with other polymer systems used for encapsulation. Furthermore, single-membrane and multi-membrane capsules were formed in order to improve the modulation of the capsule properties. For single-membrane capsules, resistance was mostly affected by the incubation time in poly-L-lysine (PLL), the PLL molecular weight and concentration. The increase in resistance from 0.1 #45 0.01 g/capsules to 2 #45 0.2 g/capsules was linked to a membrane thickening (35-120 #181;m) and a decrease in permeability (150 to 40 kD). Thus, it was not possible to modify resistance and membrane permeability independently. Multi-membrane capsules with a resistance comparable to single-membrane capsules could be formed using various combinations of PLL molecular weights, and enabled uncoupling of permeability and resistance properties.
Synchronized mammalian cell cultures. I. Cell replication cycle and macromolecular synthesis following brief colcemid arrest of mitosis

Chinese hamster fibroblasts in monolayer cultures were synchronized by accumulating mitotic cells in the presence of Colcemid, removing the mitotic cells with a brief trypsin treatment, and growing them in medium lacking Colcemid. Such cultures grew normally and exhibited no significant deviations from control cultures in their mitotic interval, generation time, DNA synthesis kinetics, or proliferative capacity.
A Parallel Algorithm for the Knapsack Problem with Memory/Processor Tradeoff M2P = O(2n/2)

The purpose of this paper is to suggest a new parallel algorithm for the knapsack problem. The design of the proposed parallel algorithm is based on a shared memory SIMD machine with a heap tree data structure. It can solve a general n-component knapsack problem in time O(2n/2) with memory-processor tradeoff M2P = O(2n/2). The proposed technique can have better performance in terms of cost as the number of processors needed can be offset by increasing memory space. The performance is compared with those of other algorithms to demonstrate its superiority. We believe that the proposed algorithm is pragmatically feasible at the moment when multiprocessor systems are gradually becoming popular.
Field re-entrant hidden-order phase under pressure in URu2Si2

We succeeded in growing high quality single crystals of URu2Si2 and performed thermal expansion measurements under pressure. Applying a magnetic field along the [001] direction in the tetragonal structure, the so-called hidden-order phase reappears after the suppression of the antiferromagnetic phase above the critical pressure Px. We determined the pressure–temperature–field phase diagram for the paramagnetic, hidden-order and antiferromagnetic states for the direction. We also present the temperature dependence of the upper critical field Hc2 for and [100] determined by the AC specific heat measurements, corresponding to the bulk superconductivity in a high quality single crystal.
Changes in the simultaneous masked threshold of brief tones.

Simultaneous monotic masking of a 5‐ or 10‐msec, 1000‐cps signal by bursts of wide‐band noise of 30–1000 msec duration (70 dB SPL) changes and is dependent upon delay of the tone (Δt) relative to masker onset. The elevated masking of the tone at short Δt's (overshoot) is independent of masker duration, while minimum masking occurs at delay times of 200 or 300 msec. A 500‐msec‐long, 400‐cps noise band centered at 2550 cps produces little overshoot for 10‐msec tonal signals with frequencies located within the band but considerable overshoot for frequencies just outside it. This occurs also for a 200‐cps band centered at 1270 cps but not for a 100‐cps band at 250 cps. These effects were observed for dichotic masking also. For 500‐msec bursts of wide‐band masking noise, greater overshoot occurs at higher signal frequencies than at lower. Several different psychophysical procedures produced similar results.
A carrier platform for microfluidics research and prototyping

The technology of microfluidics has the potential to revolutionize the way in which a wide range of analytical and diagnostic tests are implemented in applications ranging from genomics to healthcare to environmental monitoring. The translation of innovation in microfluidic devices developed through academic research into actual applications is greatly facilitated by the availability of a prototyping platform, through which a proof-of-concept microsystem can be rapidly and efficiently prototyped. We present a description of a platform developed by CMC Microsystems and its academic research partners for the development of microsystem prototypes employing microfluidic technology. Implementing such a platform in a modular configuration is one means of addressing the diversity of functional requirements driven by the wide range of microfluidic research interests. The challenge of the developing such a platform is strongly concerned with defining not only a physical layout, but also the interfacial standards between the platform modules. The prototyping environment we describe is termed a ldquoCarrier Platformrdquo as it provides a standard for carrying the various microfluidic devices and signals which comprise the system function.
Biosynthetic Human Proinsulin: Review of Chemistry, in Vitro and in Vivo Receptor Binding, Animal and Human Pharmacology Studies, and Clinical Trial Experience

Objective To describe the rationale for the preclinical and clinical developmental course of human proinsulin (HPI), the second product after human insulin for the treatment of diabetes mellitus to be manufactured by DNA technology. Research Design and Methods The relevant and available published and unpublished preclinical and clinical information generated on pork proinsulin and human proinsulin has been integrated to demonstrate how certain clinically attractive features of pork proinsulin (a soluble intermediate-acting and possibly hepatospecific insulin agonist) led to the development of HPI. Results Clinical pharmacology studies demonstrated that HPI was definitely, although marginally, hepatospecific. More striking was the finding that the intrasubject/patient coefficient of variation of response to HPI was significantly less than that observed with NPH insulin. However, the fact that unique efficacy in controlled multicenter studies was not demonstrated suggested that these pharmacological features were not translated into clinical benefit. In one multicenter new patient study there were six myocardial infarctions, including two deaths, in patients treated for ≥1 yr with HPI and none in the control group. Conclusions To obtain an independent review of the risks and benefits of HPI, in February 1988, Lilly convened a consultant group that examined all relevant information on HPI available. These experts shared our concerns about the safety of HPI in light of the failure to demonstrate unique efficacy. Accordingly, clinical trials with HPI were suspended in February 1988. Experience with HPI demonstrates the challenge associated with the development of new drugs in general and insulin agonists in particular.
Multiblock Polymers: Panacea or Pandora’s Box?

Getting Around the Block Diblock copolymers provide a rich variety of morphologies that depend on the length of the polymer blocks, the overall fraction of each block, and their chemical dissimilarity. New synthetic methods have made it possible to make copolymers with three or more components and in a range of chemical architectures. However, this growth in design choices can offer too many variables to work with, and rational design is important, especially when trying to transform small-scale products in engineered commodities. Bates et al. (p. 434) review the opportunities and complexities that exist when working in this expanded playground of block copolymers. Advances in synthetic polymer chemistry have unleashed seemingly unlimited strategies for producing block polymers with arbitrary numbers (n) and types (k) of unique sequences of repeating units. Increasing (k,n) leads to a geometric expansion of possible molecular architectures, beyond conventional ABA-type triblock copolymers (k = 2, n = 3), offering alluring opportunities to generate exquisitely tailored materials with unparalleled control over nanoscale-domain geometry, packing symmetry, and chemical composition. Transforming this potential into targeted structures endowed with useful properties hinges on imaginative molecular designs guided by predictive theory and computer simulation. Here, we review recent developments in the field of block polymers.
Technology management and the performance of small and medium enterprises in the consulting engineering industry in South Africa

This paper reports on a research study focusing on the influence of innovation and strategic tools in the performance of small and medium enterprises in the consulting engineering industry in South Africa. The study consisted of a Delphi survey aimed at providing clarity on the following two aspects. Firstly, the variables best defining performance in this industry were ranked by a panel of experts. Secondly, by applying this common understanding of performance, the factors influencing the performance in the industry were ranked in terms of importance. Aspects such as engineering expertise, resource availability, innovation and strategic management tool usage were specifically included in the factors considered. This was done to gain a better understanding of the deemed importance of these technology management aspect in this industry.
Managing Ethnically Diverse Bureaucrats: Evidence from the Nigerian Civil Service

We document the correlations between public service delivery, management practices, and the ethnic diversity of bureaucrats. We do so in the context of Nigeria, where ethnicity is a salient form of identity. We thus expand the empirical management literature highlighting bene.cial e¤ects of workplace diversity, that has focused on private sector . rms operating in high income settings. Our analysis combines three data sources: (i) independent engineering assessments of completion rates for 4700 public sector projects; (ii) a survey eliciting management practices in the 63 civil service organizations responsible for these projects, following the approach of Bloom and Van Reenen [2007]; (iii) a survey to bureaucrats eliciting their ethnic identities. Management practices and ethnic diversity in organizations signi.cantly impact public service delivery: a one standard deviation increase in good management for bureaucrats corresponds to 21% higher completion rates; a one standard deviation increase in the ethnic diversity of bureaucrats corresponds to 14% higher completion rates. The two organizational characteristics are found to be substitutes for one another. In line with the management literature, this evidence highlights a potentially positive side of ethnic diversity in public sector organizations, in the context of Sub Saharan Africa.
The mechanisms and treatment of weight loss in cancer

It is always a very great pleasure when one meets an individual whose work has been of considerable scientific importance. I was honoured to have met Sir David Cuthbertson on several occasions towards the end of his life and, thus, it gives me particular pleasure to be invited by the Clinical Metabolism and Nutritional Support Group of the Nutrition Society to give this lecture in his memory. Sir David was particularly interested by the metabolic response to trauma and in this lecture I wish to dwell on another part of the spectrum of the response to injury in terms of the metabolic disturbance in patients with cancer. It goes without saying that the majority of patients with cancer will eventually lose weight and a proportion become emaciated to the extent that they appear to die of starvation. This syndrome is known as cancer cachexia, the term cachexia being derived from the Greek words ‘kaxos’ and ‘hexis’ meaning poor condition. The patient with cachexia is characterized by a group of symptoms including anorexia, early satiety, marked weight loss, aesthenia, anaemia and oedema. The importance of weight loss in cancer has long been recognized. As far back as 1932 Warren in a post-mortem study estimated that as many as 22% of patients with cancer die primarily as a result of cachexia (Warren, 1932). More modern studies would put this percentage at perhaps 10 (Inagaki et al. 1974). Nevertheless, currently the majority of cancer patients die from sepsis, and there remains the complex inter-relationship between poor nutritional status and a propensity to infection. Unfortunately, for the majority of patients whose cancer has spread beyond the organ of origin, neither surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy is able to offer a cure. With the recognition of the morbidity and mortality associated with cachexia, the past 15 years have seen attempts to use nutritional support to try to reverse the nutritional deficit associated with progressive cancer growth. These studies have, however, not met with great success. Conventional nutritional support does not readily reverse the nutritional deficits associated with progressive tumour growth (Nixon et al. 1981; Cohn et al. 1982) and not surprisingly nutritional support has failed to reduce overall morbidity and mortality (Brennan, 1981; Chlebowski, 1986). These disappointing results have led investigators back to the drawing board to try to understand the fundamental reasons for
Digital breast tomosynthesis guided near infrared spectroscopy: volumetric estimates of fibroglandular fraction and breast density from tomosynthesis reconstructions

A multimodality system combining a clinical prototype digital breast tomosynthesis with its imaging geometry modified to facilitate near-infrared spectroscopic imaging has been developed. The accuracy of parameters recovered from near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is dependent on fibroglandular tissue content. Hence, in this study, volumetric estimates of fibroglandular tissue from tomosynthesis reconstructions were determined. A kernel-based fuzzy c-means algorithm was implemented to segment tomosynthesis reconstructed slices in order to estimate fibroglandular content and to provide anatomic priors for NIRS. This algorithm was used to determine volumetric breast density (VBD), defined as the ratio of fibroglandular tissue volume to the total breast volume, expressed as percentage, from 62 tomosynthesis reconstructions of 34 study participants. For a subset of study participants who subsequently underwent mammography, VBD from mammography matched for subject, breast laterality and mammographic view was quantified using commercial software and statistically analyzed to determine if it differed from tomosynthesis. Summary statistics of the VBD from all study participants were compared with prior independent studies. The fibroglandular volume from tomosynthesis and mammography were not statistically different (p = 0.211, paired t-test). After accounting for the compressed breast thickness, which were different between tomosynthesis and mammography, the VBD from tomosynthesis was correlated with (r = 0.809, p < 0.001), did not statistically differ from (p > 0.99, paired t-test), and was linearly related to, the VBD from mammography. Summary statistics of the VBD from tomosynthesis were not statistically different from prior studies using high-resolution dedicated breast computed tomography. The observation of correlation and linear association in VBD between mammography and tomosynthesis suggests that breast density associated risk measures determined for mammography are translatable to tomosynthesis. Accounting for compressed breast thickness is important when it differs between the two modalities. The fibroglandular volume from tomosynthesis reconstructions is similar to mammography indicating suitability for use during NIRS.
Broadband Patch Antennas Fed by Novel Tuned Loop

A novel tuned loop feed for patch antennas is described. The arrangement provides a symmetrical excitation of the patch with a double tuned response with enhanced bandwidth. The tuned loop together with the patch can be seen as a band pass filter comprising a series resonator and parallel resonator tuned to the same frequency. The tuned loop can easily be implemented as a microstrip PCB. A dual polarized patch antenna can be designed for diversity reception using this technique. Measured results are given, showing that this feed is effective in broadening the bandwidth of patch antennas. This configuration is a good candidate for radiating elements in cellular base station antennas.
The Quality of Life Outcome Following Treatment for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

This study aims to assess the impact of medical and surgical treatment on treating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) on pain, prostatic symptoms, disease-specific quality of life and health-related quality of life. Patients scheduled for medical (alpha-blockers) and surgical treatment (transurethral resection of the prostate, TURP) were recruited in the study. The patients were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Present Pain Intensity (PPI), International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) at 3-month, 6-month and 12-month (baseline). Before treatment, most of the patients with LUTS had severe pain, LUTS and deterioration of health-related quality of life. Following treatment, both medical and surgical treatment improved their pain, LUTS and health-related quality of life. Both treatments are effective in relieving the symptoms of pain, LUTS and health-related quality of life. Asia Pac J Public Health 2000;12(2): 107-117