Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manufacturer investment in cost reduction and supplier information sharing

Consider a supply chain setting consisting of a manufacturer and a supplier, in which the former can invest to reduce the latter's production cost, but the cost information is proprietary to the latter. Whether the supplier commits to share his information will have an influence on the manufacturer's investment. Therefore, this paper investigates the relationship between the manufacturer's investment and the supplier's information sharing. By modeling, we discuss how the profits of supply chain members change under the various investment levels in two information sharing ways, that is, with pre-commitment and without pre-commitment, respectively. Our results indicate that, with pre-commitment, the supplier will always choose withhold his information; but without pre-commitment, whether the supplier shares his information depends on the manufacturer's investment level. Generally, the higher investment level, the broader the cost range for disclosure. Moreover, the profits of both supplier and manufacturer are always higher with pre-commitment than without it, which means pre-commitment is more effective to achieve win-win.
Transactional sex and the challenges to safer sexual behaviors: a study among male sex workers in Chennai, India

ABSTRACT Male sex workers (MSW) are a significant but invisible population in India who are at risk for HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Few studies from India have documented HIV risk factors and motivations for sex work in this population. Between 2013 and 2014, a community-based convenience sample of 100 MSW in Chennai (south India) completed a baseline risk assessment as part of a behavioral intervention. Participants were ≥18 years, and reported current sex work. We report medians and proportions, and Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney and chi-square tests are used to examine differences between sex work and sexual behavior measures by income source. Participants were engaged in sex work for 5.0 years (IQR = 2.3–10.0), and earned 3000 (IQR = 2000–8000) Rupees (<50 USD) per month from sex work. Sixty-four percent reported ever testing for HIV and 20.2% for any STI. The most common reasons for starting sex work were money (83.0%) and pleasure (56.0%). Compared to participants with an additional source of income, those whose only source of income was sex work reported more male clients in the past month (10.0 vs. 6.0, p = .017), as well as more condomless anal sex acts with male clients (8.0 vs. 5.0, p = .008). Nearly 70.0% were offered more money not to use a condom during sex with a client, and 74.2% reported accepting more money not to use a condom. Three-quarters reported having experienced difficulty using condoms with clients. MSW in India engage in high levels of sexual risk for HIV/STIs. Money appears to be a driving factor for engaging in sex work and condomless sex with clients. HIV prevention interventions with MSW should focus on facilitating skills that will support their ability to negotiate sexual safety in the context of monetary disincentives.
Exploring Knowledge Sharing over Social Media

The role of Knowledge Sharing (KS) in an academic environment, with the framework of KS has been explored in this chapter. The role played by social media (SM) as a technology for KS has been discussed. The different aspects of human attitude towards sharing have been expressed with the role of library professionals, in order to support the research activity of the students within the knowledge management cycle. Few examples like the use of blogs, Facebook, and YouTube in different types of institutions /organizations and the value, purpose and challenges are highlighted. The use of social networking tools by cataloguers as a necessity for current awareness information is also emphasized. It is found that the use of social media in education, health, and other domains is mostly used to enhance reaching out to users. The advantages of KS with the need for sharing of knowledge to enhance the role by the administrators in universities and by the professionals are provided. Further research in the field of SM by specific disciplines can be carried out.
Concomitant astroglial atrophy and astrogliosis in a triple transgenic animal model of Alzheimer's disease

Astrocytes are fundamental for brain homeostasis and are at the fulcrum of neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we monitored changes in astroglia morphology throughout the age‐dependent progression of AD. We used an immunohistochemical approach that allows us to determine the domain of glial cytoskeleton, by measuring the surface, volume, and the relationship between astrocytes and neuritic plaques. We investigated astroglia in the hippocampus of a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg‐AD) that mimics the progression of the human disease. The numerical density of astrocytes is affected neither by AD nor by age. We found reduction of surface and volume of GFAP profiles from early ages (6 months; 43.84 and 52.76%, respectively), persisting at 12 (40.73 and 45.39%) and 18 months (64.80 and 71.95%) in the dentate gyrus (DG) of 3xTg‐AD, whereas in CA1 it appears at 18 months (29.42 and 32.74%). This cytoskeleton atrophy is accompanied by a significant reduction of glial somata volume in DG at 12 and 18 months (40.46 and 75.55%, respectively), whereas in CA1 it is significant at 18 months (42.81%). However, while astroglial atrophy appears as a generalized process, astrocytes surrounding plaques are clearly hypertrophic as revealed by increased surface (48.06%; 66.66%), and volume (57.10%; 71.06%) of GFAP profiles in DG and CA1, respectively, at 18 months. We suggest differential effects of AD on astroglial populations depending on their association with plaques accounting for the progressive disruption of neural networks connectivity and neurotransmitters imbalance which underlie mnesic and cognitive impairments observed in AD. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Prospective Study on the Added Value of Pulsed Arterial Spin-Labeling and Apparent Diffusion Coefficients in the Grading of Gliomas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether qualitative and quantitative measures obtained with pulsed arterial spin-labeling (PASL) and apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) improve glioma grading compared with conventional MR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively performed 2 qualitative consensus reviews in 33 suspected gliomas: 1) conventional MR images alone and 2) conventional MR images with PASL and ADC. To calculate the diagnostic performance parameters of PASL and ADC, we used a qualitative scoring system on the basis of the tumor perfusion signal intensity (sTP) and visual ADC scoring (sADC). We then analyzed quantitative regions of interest and calculated the ratio of the maximum tumor perfusion signal intensity (rTPmax) and the minimum ADC value (mADC). RESULTS: Two observers diagnosed accurate tumor grades in 23 of 33 (70%) lesions in the first review and in 29 of 33 (88%) lesions in the second review. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for determining a glioma grading by using combined sTP and sADC scoring were 90.9, 90.9, 95.2, and 83.3%, respectively. Statistical analysis gave a threshold value of 1.24 for rTPmax and 0.98 × 10–3 mm/s2 for mADC to provide a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of 95.5, 81.8, 91.3, and 90.1% and 90.9, 81.8, 90.9, and 81.8%, respectively. The receiver operator characteristic curve analyses showed no significant difference between the quantitative and combined qualitative parameters. CONCLUSION: PASL and ADC significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy of glioma grading compared with conventional imaging.
Comparing the effects of three different additional doses of propofol infusion on intubation condition and hemodynamic changes during general anesthesia under elective surgery: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial

Background: Laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation can induce unfavorable hemodynamic changes as propofol itself can induce hypotension. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of three different additional doses of propofol infusion on intubation conditions and hemodynamic changes occurred after intubation. Materials and Methods: This double-blinded prospective study was performed on 140 patients aged 18-60 who received different additional doses of propofol and were randomly allocated into 4 groups as follows: A: Received additional dose of propofol 0.5 mg/kg infused after an initial dose 1.5 mg/kg. B: Received additional dose of propofol 1 mg/kg infused after an initial dose 1 mg/kg. C: Received additional dose of propofol 1.5 mg/kg after an initial dose 1 mg/kg. D: Received propofol 2 mg/kg as a bolus with no additional dose. Results: Intubation conditions were acceptable in 91.4% of Group A patients, 94.2% of Group B patients, 97.1% of Group C patients and 68.5% of Group D patients. There were no significant differences in the mean of heart rate between four groups at any time before and after laryngoscopy. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) 3 min after laryngoscopy was significantly lower in Group D versus Group A (P = 0.015) while MAP was not different at any time between other groups. Conclusion: Infusion of propofol 1.5 mg/kg added to initial bolus dose of propofol 1 mg/kg improves intubation conditions significantly without inducing hemodynamic changes.
Clinical Trials Update: Medical Management of Advanced Breast Cancer

Selection of treatment for metastatic breast cancer depends on several factors: the status of estrogen receptors or progesterone receptors on breast cancer cells and the expression levels of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2. The presence of estrogen or progesterone receptors typically indicates slower-growing tumors that may be amenable to hormonal manipulation, which provides significant disease control while offering a better toxicity profile than conventional chemotherapy. The understanding of hormonal therapies in patients with postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer has advanced greatly in the past several decades. Aromatase inhibitors, although used initially as second-line therapy, recently have proved to be as effective as tamoxifen, if not superior to it, as first-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer. New data also suggest that letrozole provides significantly better objective responses than anastrozole as second-line therapy. Exemestane, a steroidal aromatase inhibitor, is an effective third-line therapy. Fulvestrant, an estrogen receptor antagonist with no known agonist effect, provides a new option for hormonal therapy. For patients with metastatic breast cancer and overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 on tumor cells, the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab is the preferred option, either in combination with paclitaxel as first-line treatment, or as a single agent for second-line therapy. By extending the sequence of hormonal therapy, disease progression and the need for chemotherapy may be significantly delayed, potentially extending patient survival rates and improving quality of life.
A 0.13 μm CMOS System-on-Chip for a 512 × 424 Time-of-Flight Image Sensor With Multi-Frequency Photo-Demodulation up to 130 MHz and 2 GS/s ADC

We introduce a 512 × 424 time-of-flight (TOF) depth image sensor designed in a TSMC 0.13 μm LP 1P5M CMOS process, suitable for use in Microsoft Kinect for XBOX ONE. The 10 μm × 10 μm pixel incorporates a TOF detector that operates using the quantum efficiency modulation (QEM) technique at high modulation frequencies of up to 130 MHz, achieves a modulation contrast of 67% at 50 MHz and a responsivity of 0.14 A/W at 860 nm. The TOF sensor includes a 2 GS/s 10 bit signal path, which is used for the high ADC bandwidth requirements of the system that requires many ADC conversions per frame. The chip also comprises a clock generation circuit featuring a programmable phase and frequency clock generator with 312.5-ps phase step resolution derived from a 1.6 GHz oscillator. An integrated shutter engine and a programmable digital micro-sequencer allows an extremely flexible multi-gain/multi-shutter and multi-frequency/multi-phase operation. All chip data is transferred using two 4-lane MIPI D-PHY interfaces with a total of 8 Gb/s input/output bandwidth. The reported experimental results demonstrate a wide depth range of operation (0.8-4.2 m), small accuracy error ( 1%), very low depth uncertainty ( 0.5% of actual distance), and very high dynamic range ( >64 dB).
A 300W complete GaN solid state power amplifier for positioning system satellite payloads

An L-Band high power and efficient solid state power amplifier (SSPA) designed for the European satellite navigation system (i.e., Galileo) is presented. The developed SSPA, based on European Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, comprises all the circuits required to interface the module with the satellite bus (i.e., a Power Supply Unit, PSU), and to control its functionalities by remote telecomand and telemetry (i.e., an Electronic Power Conditioner unit, EPC). The Radio frequency Unit (RFU) together with the PSU and EPC are accommodated in a single box with limited volume and mass. In continuous wave operating mode, the SSPA delivers an output power higher than 300W at less than 3 dB of gain compression in the whole E1-Band (i.e., center frequency f0 = 1.575GHz). Moreover, the demonstrated gain and power added efficiency, including the power dissipated by the PSU and EPC, are higher than 65 dB and 44 %, respectively.
Copper Manganese Sulfide Nanoplates: A New Two-Dimensional Theranostic Nanoplatform for MRI/MSOT Dual-Modal Imaging-Guided Photothermal Therapy in the Second Near-Infrared Window

Multifunctional nanoplatforms with integrated diagnostic and therapeutic functions have attracted tremendous attention. Especially, the second near-infrared (NIR-II) light response-based nanoplatforms hold great potential in cancer theranostic applications, which is because the NIR-II window provides larger tissue penetration depth and higher maximum permissible exposure (MPE) than that of the well-studied first near-infrared (NIR-I) window. Herein, we for the first time present a two-dimensional (2D)-nanoplatform based on Cu2MnS2 nanoplates (NPs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) dual-modal imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) of cancer in the NIR-II window. Methods: Cu2MnS2 NPs were synthesized through a facile and environmentally friendly process. A series of experiments, including the characterization of Cu2MnS2 NPs, the long-term toxicity of Cu2MnS2 NPs in BALB/c nude mice, the applications of Cu2MnS2 NPs for in vitro and in vivo MRI/MSOT dual-modal imaging and NIR-II PTT of cancer were carried out. Results: The as-synthesized Cu2MnS2 NPs exhibit low cytotoxicity, excellent biocompatibility as well as high photothermal conversion efficiency (~49.38%) and outstanding photostability. Together with their good T1-shortening effect and strong absorbance in the NIR-I and NIR-II region, the Cu2MnS2 NPs display high-contrast imaging performance both in MRI and MSOT (900 nm laser source). Moreover, the subsequent in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that the Cu2MnS2 NPs possess excellent PTT efficacy under 1064 nm laser irradiation with a low power density (0.6 W cm-2). In addition, the detailed long-term toxicity studies further confirming the safety of Cu2MnS2 NPs in vivo. Conclusion: We have developed a new 2D Cu2MnS2 NPs as multifunctional theranostic agents for MRI/MSOT dual-modal imaging-guided PTT of cancer in the NIR-II window. Such biocompatible Cu2MnS2 NPs might provide a new perspective for exploring new 2D-based nanoplatforms with improved properties for clinical applications in the future.
Regulation of polysynaptic subthalamonigral transmission by D2, D3 and D4 dopamine receptors in rat brain slices

Key points • Symptoms of Parkinson's disease are associated with increased bursting activity in the subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra zona reticulata (SNR). • In slices of rat brain, a single electrical stimulus to the STN evokes a complex EPSC and bursts of action potentials in SNR neurons. • We show that dopamine acts at D2‐like receptors to cause marked and reversible inhibition of the complex EPSC. • Dopamine also inhibited stimulus‐evoked bursts of action potentials more than reducing spontaneous firing. • Inhibition of synaptically generated burst firing by D2 receptor agonists may be a clinically important mechanism in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Six-month and 12-month mental health outcome of medical and surgical patients admitted to general hospital

Background. We have recently reported a two-phase study on psychiatric morbidity in a sample of general hospital patients. This paper reports the results of the 6-month and 12-month follow-up of these patients. Methods. The screening questionnaire was the GHQ-12. The main diagnostic instrument used in the second phase was the CIDI-PHC. All patients who had been interviewed with CIDI-PHC (N = 363) were followed-up and the baseline assessment was compared with the scoring on questionnaires administered in the 6-month postal enquiry and with the psychopathological status at 12-month, elicited with a telephone structured interview. Results. Sixty-two and 87% of patients completed the 6- and 12-month follow-up assessment respectively. The first follow-up indicated no significant decrease in the level of symptoms. The 12-month follow-up interview showed that 23% of males and 40% of females had poor/mostly poor mental health. The logistic model showed that females with a definite ICD-10 diagnosis, admitted to a medical department, who had consumed psychotropic drugs in the previous year, had the most unfavourable outcome. The risk of a poor/mostly poor outcome steadily increased with the severity of the psychopathology during hospitalization. Conclusion. In medical and surgical general hospital patients the risk factors associated with a poor mental health outcome are similar to those found in primary care patients. Greater attention should be paid in assessing routinely mental health status of general hospital patients during hospitalization.
The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Pregnancy on Maternal Eicosanoid, Cytokine, and Chemokine Secretion

The incidence of allergic diseases has increased, and a relation between allergy and dietary fatty acids has been proposed. Modulation of the maternal immune function during pregnancy may have an impact on future clinical outcomes in the child. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of omega (ω)-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) supplementation during pregnancy on the plasma fatty acid composition in relation to the maternal immune function. Pregnant women with allergic disease in their immediate family were supplemented daily with 2.7 g ω-3 LCPUFA (n = 70) or 2.8 g soybean oil as placebo (n = 75) from the 25th gestational week. The proportions of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in plasma/serum phospholipids increased in the ω-3-supplemented group, whereas arachidonic acid decreased during intervention. Lipopolysaccharide-induced prostaglandin E2 secretion from whole blood culture supernatants (n = 59) decreased in a majority of the ω-3-supplemented mothers (18 of 28, p = 0.002). The decreased prostaglandin E2 production was more pronounced among nonatopic than atopic mothers. The lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine and chemokine secretion was not affected. Our results indicate that ω-3 LCPUFA supplementation during the last trimester may dampen certain immune responses involved in allergic inflammation.
Role of spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide to predict exacerbations in treated asthmatics.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the complementary roles of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) and spirometry to predict asthma exacerbations requiring one or more tapering courses of systemic corticosteroids. METHODS We prospectively studied 44 nonsmoking asthmatics (24 women) aged 51 +/- 21 years (mean +/- SD) who were clinically stable for 6 weeks and receiving 250 mug of fluticasone/50 mug of salmeterol or equivalent for 3 years. Total exhaled NO (FENO), small airway/alveolar NO (CANO), large airway NO flux (J'awNO), and spirometry were measured. RESULTS Baseline FEV(1) was 2.1 +/- 0.7 L, 70 +/- 20% of predicted after 180 mug of albuterol. Twenty-two of 44 asthmatics had one or more exacerbations over 18 months, 16 of 22 asthmatics had two exacerbations, and 6 of 22 asthmatics were hospitalized, including 1 asthmatic with near-fatal asthma. When baseline FEV(1) was </= 76% predicted, exacerbations occurred in 20 of 31 asthmatics (65%). If baseline FEV(1) was > 76% of predicted, exacerbations occurred only in 2 of 13 asthmatics (15%) [p = 0.003, chi(2)]. Using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for first exacerbation, the area under the curve was 0.67 with cutoff FEV(1) of 76% of predicted (sensitivity, 0.91; specificity, 0.50; positive predictive value, 0.65; negative predictive value, 0.85; positive likelihood ratio [LR(+)], 1.8; negative likelihood ratio [LR(-)], 0.18). When baseline FENO was >/= 28 parts per billion (ppb), exacerbations occurred in 13 of 17 asthmatics (76%); if baseline FENO was < 28 ppb, exacerbations occurred in only 9 of 27 asthmatics (33%) [p = 0.005, chi(2)]. Using the ROC curve for first exacerbation, the area under the curve was 0.71 with FENO cutoff point of 28 ppb (sensitivity, 0.59; specificity, 0.82; positive predictive value, 0.77; negative predictive value, 0.87; LR(+), 3.3; LR(-), 0.5). Independent of baseline FEV(1), FENO >/= 28 ppb increased the relative risk (RR) for exacerbation by 3.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 9.1; Mantel-Haenszel, p = 0.007). An abnormal increase in CANO increased RR by 3.0 (95% CI, 0.9 to 9.9; p = 0.04), and abnormal J'awNO increased RR by 2.4 (95% CI, 1.0 to 5.6; p = 0.04). Independent of baseline FENO, FEV(1) </= 76% predicted increased RR by 1.7 (95% CI, 1.0 to 2.7; p = 0.02). Combined baseline FENO >/= 28 ppb and FEV(1) </= 76% of predicted identified 13 stable asthmatics with 85% probability for future exacerbation, whereas 9 asthmatics with FENO < 28 ppb and FEV(1) > 76% of predicted had a 0% probability of exacerbation. CONCLUSION Combining FENO and FEV(1) percentage of predicted can stratify risk for asthma exacerbation.
Developing a Toolbox of supports for small and medium sized manufacturing companies

TARGET is a collaborative project involving a partnership of universities and institutes of higher education in UK, Ireland, Norway, Finland and Sweden. The project will develop tools to enhance capacity in regional manufacturing companies to adapt and embrace new technologies and innovation. This is to be done in collaboration with small/medium sized manufacturing engineering companies - developing, applying and piloting the tools through individual companies' processes. The Toolbox developed will consist of subsets such as Digital manufacturing (robotics and simulation), New Ideas and Thinking (human centred and environmental thinking, competitiveness), Business Models and modern Product Innovation. On completion of the Project, the Toolbox of supports will be made available for use through open access to manufacturing companies. The initial project phase with development of a Toolbox suitable for use in all the project partners' regions is presented.