Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Involuntary retirement: the role of restrictive circumstances, timing, and social embeddedness.

OBJECTIVES This study examined perceptions of involuntary retirement. We investigated the extent to which differences in how retirement is perceived stem from differences in (a) restrictive circumstances, (b) the older worker's preferences for retirement, (c) timing, and (d) social embeddedness. METHODS Using multiactor panel data from 778 Dutch older workers who experienced the transition into retirement, we estimated an ordered logistic model to explain perceptions of involuntary retirement. RESULTS This study showed that the way in which a person experiences retirement from the labor force is not influenced solely by factors that diminish the older worker's amount of choice (health and organizational constraints) but also relates to the older worker's social environment (social timing and social network influences). DISCUSSION The way he or she frames the retirement transition in social relationships within the family and at work affects the older worker's subjective experience of retirement.
Parametric Determination of Hypoxic Ischemia in Evolution of Atherogenesis

Atherosclerosis constitutes a primarily destructive phenomenon inherently arising from dynamics of pathobiologic effect within the intima of elastic and muscular arteries. It is significant to view the development of elevated intimal lesions within dimensions of ongoing further injury to the endothelium. Considerable interactivity evolves within plaques in consequence to neovascularization in particular. The outline evolution of individual atherosclerotic plaques would considerably modulate the dynamics of migration of smooth muscle cells to the intima and as a consequence of various agonists such as hypoxia, growth factors and coagulationanticoagulation-fibrinolysis systems. Also, insulin appears to exert toxicity on the vascular wall and possibly promote atherogenesis (Nandish et al., 2011).
The Importance of Branching Models in SCM

To improve software quality, you must first understand your software. If you do not understand your code base, your odds of updating it without breaking something are poor. Often, a fundamental misunderstanding of software configuration management (SCM) as it applies to real-world application development is at fault. Branching is integral to version management, software build correctness, and release management. Good decisions about when and why to branch can make it much easier for developers and release engineers to coordinate software product changes. The right branching strategy makes it easier to deliver the right code, re-create past releases, and-if necessary roll back to a previous release. The authors consider how adopting the right SCM branching model facilitates rapid development, increases overall product quality and process efficiency, reduces the incidence of software failures, and improves organizational performance.
Determinação das melhores condições do pré-tratamento alcalino do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar através da utilização de um planejamento fatorial

Em virtude das preocupacoes mundiais com o avanco do aquecimento global e elevacao dos precos do petroleo, a importância pelos biocombustiveis vem aumentando. Os residuos lignocelulosicos sao fontes importantes de materias-primas. Entretanto, necessitam de pre-tratamento, os quais visam a desorganizacao do complexo lignocelulosico e, como consequencia, aumento da acessibilidade as moleculas de celulose. Atraves da utilizacao de um pre-tratamento alcalino no bagaco de cana-de-acucar, juntamente com uma analise estatistica, foi possivel determinar um modelo matematico que representasse as melhores condicoes experimentais do processo. Nestas condicoes o rendimento maximo foi de 67%, obtido com 5 minutos de reacao e concentracao de NaOH de 2,5%.
Molecular characterization of the bivalves Mya arenaria, Mya truncata and Hiatella arctica.

Well-preserved bivalve adult forms are generally easily recognizable, but planktonic or damaged samples (crushed organisms in sediments or digested bivalves in predator guts) are far more difficult to identify. 3,18 Molecular approaches may overcome some of these problems. In this paper, we report new PCR-based tests for the identification of three bivalve species within the Myoidae order: Mya arenaria, Mya truncata, and Hiatella arctica based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) ribosomal DNA region located between the 18S and 5.8S ribosomal RNA genes. Marine bivalves were collected between 1998 and 2000 on the East and West coasts of Scotland, and identified by morphology. Individuals from the following species, which are taxonomically close and commonly found on the coasts of UK, were used in this study: Cerastoderma edule (Linnaeus, 1758), Dosinia exoleta (Linnaeus, 1758), Hiatella arctica (Linnaeus, 1767), Mya arenaria Linnaeus, 1758, Mya truncata Linnaeus, 1758, Mytilus edulis (Linnaeus, 1758), and Venerupis senegalensis (Gmelin, 1791). DNA was extracted from whole Hiatella arctica specimens, whereas for bigger bivalves, such as the Mya species, Cerastoderma edule, Dosinia exoleta, and Venerupis senegalensis, we have used only some parts of the animal (foot or gills). Tissues were digested and DNA was extracted by using a DNeasy Tissue kit (QIAGEN Ltd, Crawley, UK) using the protocol recommended by the manufacturer. Purified DNA samples were stored at ‐ 20°C until needed. A PCR reaction (using previously published ITS2 and ITS5 primers 20 ) was performed on different bivalve species. Unfortunately, bands of 550 bp were amplified from DNA extracted for all the species tested in this study even when the Tm was raised to 56°C instead of 48°C, as recommended 20 (data not shown) and, therefore, could not be used to specifically identify Mya species according to the size of the amplified DNA. Since only a few sequences have been published for these organisms and none are so far in the GenBank for Mya species, we sequenced amplified products from two different Mya species and representatives of Hiatella arctica. DNA fragments were excised from ethidium bromidestained agarose gels using the QIAquick gel extraction kit (QIAGEN Ltd, Crawley, UK) and were sequenced on an ABI 310 DNA sequencer from Applied Biosystems (Warrington, UK) using the Big Dye Terminator kit. Sequences were aligned using the MultiAlin software. 19 Sequences can be retrieved on
Integration of different modules for regenerative braking control of a two front wheel-driven EV

This paper presents the integration of previously developed Matlab/Simulink® design model and control blocks in order to simulate the entire braking energy transfer of a two front wheel-driven electric vehicle. The overall system modules consist of a hybrid energy storage system, two interior permanent magnet synchronous motors and the vehicle model. Other blocks like braking forces distribution module and electrical/mechanical braking forces quantification will also be briefly described. The types and conditions of roads are also integrated in order to study the vehicle behavior. Simulation results validate the global control strategy performance and consistency of the integration taking into consideration the multi-domain aspects of the system.
"Estudo espectrofotométrico de oxidação no sistema Ferro(II)/Tiocianato e seu aproveitamento analítico"

One of the most traditional lines of work in the Chemistry is about the complex formation. In our laboratories this study is accomplished under a systematic way, principally involving pseudohalide and halide ligands with cations of transition metals. The intense color produced by the reactions among the pseudohalide ligands and metal have been so much explored by spectrophotometic analises. The strong red color characteristic of compounds formed between iron(III) and thiocyanate ions is one of the largest evidences of the analogy existent between the thiocyanate and azide(N3 ) ligands. Studies done in our laboratories in the presence of some solvents and using iron-II ion have showed a fast oxidation of this metal followed by immediate reaction between the pseudohalide ligand and the metal. The possibilities of new methods for determination of the total amount of iron in a sample, as well as its speciation, have been analysed. During the study of the oxidation of the iron-II, several parameters that affect the oxidation speed in this system like: acidity, ligands concentration, temperature and presence of organic solvent, were verified carefully. This way, the recommended experimental conditions for a rapid oxidation and utilizing this system (determination of total iron) are: C 4 HClO = 30 mmoll C SCN = 250 mmoll CAcetone = 70% (v/v) T = 25°C λmáx = 480nm waiting time = 7 minutes
Differential connexin distribution accommodates cardiac function in different species

Using immunohistochemical staining, the distribution of connexin40 (Cx40) and connexin43 (Cx43) was studied in rat, guinea pig, porcine, bovine and human hearts. These species display differences in the degree of morphological differentiation of the conduction system. This study was performed in the anticipation that comparison of the distributions of Cx40 and Cx43 in young and adult specimens may provide clues as to the physiological role of connexins in the heart. To a large extent, the distribution patterns of Cx40 and Cx43 are comparable between species. In neonates and adults, Cx43 was immunolocalized throughout the working myocardium, but in the conduction system Cx43 was detected only after birth. Cx40 was found to appear slightly earlier in development than Cx43 and to disappear when levels of Cx43 became more abundant. This time course was seen in working myocardium and in the ventricular conduction system. Together these data suggest that expression of Cx40 induces or facilitates expression of Cx43, while abundant expression of Cx43 in turn leads to suppression of Cx40 expression. The exceptions to this may represent blocks in this potential regulatory sequence. A second conclusion is that Cx40 and Cx43 containing gap junctions appear in the ventricular conduction system from distal to proximal and only after birth. This indicates that terminal differentiation of the conduction system occurs unexpectedly late in development. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Split gates: A low swing technique for reducing power for high fanout gates

We consider the problem of reducing power for heavily loaded intra-module interconnect. Such lines are dominated by a heavy capacitive load with line resistance being smaller than the driver resistance. A method - split gates - of modifying the standard CMOS inverter is provided by splitting the inverter into a driver and receiver circuitry. The scheme allows a reduction in active power by limiting the voltage swing on the interconnect and a reduction in standby power by leveraging the presence of stacked devices. It is a low overhead method which does not require the use of multiple supply voltages and can be incorporated within simple leaf-cells. Simulation results in a MOSIS 0. 25µm process are presented for capacitive lines and show a 40% improvement in driver active power, and a 5× improvement in standby leakage. Overall power savings by using the technique in multiplier and multiplicand drivers of 32 × 32 carry-save array multiplier is around 13.2% which is close to the maximum possible 16% gain.
Limitations in using Golay codes for head-related transfer function measurement.

Although the use of Golay codes has been recommended for measuring external-ear impulse responses [Zhou et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 92, 1169–1171 (1992)], this report demonstrates a potential limitation that could arise in applications requiring probe stimulus excitation to last longer than a few hundreds of milliseconds. In such situations, artifacts in the measured impulse responses can result from using Golay codes if the system under evaluation is time variant. These impulse-response artifacts are demonstrated for measurements of human binaural impulse responses (equivalent to head-related transfer functions, or HRTFs) under conditions analogous to small head movements during the measurement procedure. A popular alternative impulse-response measurement technique using maximum-length sequences (MLSs) does not produce artifact-contaminated measurements under the same conditions.
Pulsed generators on base of LTD stages with vacuum insulation in a secondary turn

In this report we present state of work under development of LTD stages with air insulation in a primary circuit and vacuum insulation in a secondary turn. Special unit, named capacitor block, was developed for use as a main structural element of the transformer stages. It incorporates two capacitors GA 35426 (40 nF, 100 kV) and multichannel multigap gas switch. Two types of stages were developed: 1) Stage LTD-20 with 4 modules in parallel and 5 capacitor blocks in each module. In tests of this stage current amplitude up to 850 kA with ~ 140 ns rise time was obtained on a 0.05 Ω load at 100 kV charging voltage. 2) Stage LTD-4 with 2 modules in parallel and 2 capacitor blocks in each module. Several installations were built on base of these stages, including linear transformer, consisting of two identical LTD-20 stages in series, and high power electron accelerator on base of LTD-4 stages. Design of installations and tests results are presented and discussed in this report.
Blurring strategies for image segmentation using a multiscale linking model

Multiscale approaches are an invaluable tool for image segmentation. A vast amount of research has been devoted to the construction of different multiscale representations of an image. In this paper we use the hyperstack-a multiscale linking model for image segmentation-for an in-depth comparison of four different scale space generators with respect to segmentation results. We consider the linear (Gaussian) scale space both in the spatial and the Fourier domain, the variable conductance diffusion according to the Perona and Malik equation, and the Euclidean shortening flow. We have done experiments on MR images of the brain, for which a gold standard is available. The hyperstack proves to be rather insensitive to the underlying scale space generator.
Autologous CD34+ Cell Therapy for Refractory Angina: 2-Year Outcomes from the ACT34-CMI Study

An increasing number of patients have refractory angina despite optimal medical therapy and are without further revascularization options. Preclinical studies indicate that human CD34+ stem cells can stimulate new blood vessel formation in ischemic myocardium, improving perfusion and function. In ACT34-CMI (N = 167), patients treated with autologous CD34+ stem cells had improvements in angina and exercise time at 6 and 12 months compared to placebo; however, the longer-term effects of this treatment are unknown. ACT34 was a phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial comparing placebo, low dose (1 × 105 CD34/kg body weight), and high dose (5 × 105 CD34/kg) using intramyocardial delivery into the ischemic zone following NOGA® mapping. To obtain longer-term safety and efficacy in these patients, we compiled data of major adverse cardiac events (MACE; death, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, or heart failure hospitalization) up to 24 months as well as angina and quality of life assessments in patients who consented for 24-month follow-up. A total of 167 patients with class III–IV refractory angina were randomized and completed the injection procedure. The low-dose-treated patients had a significant reduction in angina frequency (p = 0.02, 0.035) and improvements in exercise tolerance testing (ETT) time (p = 0.014, 0.017) compared to the placebo group at 6 and 12 months. At 24 months, patients treated with both low-and high-dose CD34+ cells had significant reduction in angina frequency (p = 0.03). At 24 months, there were a total of seven deaths (12.5%) in the control group versus one (1.8%) in the low-dose and two (3.6%) in the high-dose (p = 0.08) groups. At 2 years, MACE occurred at a rate of 33.9%, 21.8%, and 16.2% in control, low-, and high-dose patients, respectively (p = 0.08). Autologous CD34+ cell therapy was associated with persistent improvement in angina at 2 years and a trend for reduction in mortality in no-option patients with refractory angina.
Segmental homologies among reticulospinal neurons in the hindbrain of the zebrafish larva

We have examined the morphology of identified reticulospinal neurons in larval zebrafish by retrogradely labeling them with horseradish peroxidase. We describe the morphology of 27 different types of reticulospinal neurons found in the hindbrain 5 days after fertilization. Nineteen of these types are present as single identified neurons on each side of the brain; the other are present as pairs or small groups of cells.
Use of automated blood pressure measurements in clinical trials and registration studies: data from the VALTOP Study

BackgroundAuscultatory measurement of office blood pressure (BP) by mercury sphygmomanometers (AuscBPM) is still the gold standard in clinical trials and registration studies for antihypertensive drugs. The increasing availability of accurate automated oscillometric BP measuring devices has offered new perspectives in this field, although their usefulness in drug studies has not been systematically tested yet. MethodsDuring the course of Valsartan 320 mg EU Registration Study we used an electronic automated oscillometric BP measuring device (eBPM) as an alternative to conventional AuscBPM. Altogether 3776 patients were randomized into a double-blinded actively controlled parallel group study in 303 centers, and 54 422 BP readings were recorded by the validated, electronic, automated oscillometric device OMRON 705IT with digital printouts. Terminal digit preference and preference at therapeutic cutoff points were evaluated. The data were compared with the results of an earlier valsartan study similar in design but based on conventional AuscBPM. Furthermore, based on a simulation, four strategies for automated BP measurement with varying number of office readings (3–5) were analyzed to define an optimal method to collect BP at office visits. ResultseBPM eliminated terminal digit preference and dramatically reduced preferences for therapeutic cutoff points as compared with earlier valsartan trials with conventional AuscBPM. However, even with eBPM a minor bias with the therapeutic cutoff value was observed probably because of an observer bias during data documentation. The within-patient variability of three measurements sequentially taken at each visit was similar to other strategies including more measurements. ConclusionOn the basis of our data, we suggest that eBPM is a suitable alternative to AuscBPM in clinical trials and registration studies, and may carry specific advantages. Automatic data transfer of recorded values to electronic patient files may further minimize observer bias. Manufacturers should consider such findings for the development of professional devices.
Role of Myofibroblasts at the Invasion Front

Abstract Tumor progression occurs within a microecosystem, where cancer cells and myofibroblasts exchange proteinases and cytokines that promote growth directly through stimulation of proliferation and survival, as well as invasion through local proteolysis of the extracellular matrix and stimulation of motility. Myofibroblasts maintain the capacity of fibroblasts to induce differentiation. Fibroblasts are the main source of tumorassociated myofibroblasts. The transition to myofibroblasts also occurs in noncancerous situations. This transition is modulated by mechanical stress and cytokines, amongst which transforming growth factorβ. The crosstalk between cancer cells and myofibroblasts illustrates the microecosystem of tumor invasion. In order to consider myofibroblasts as a possibly new target for cancer therapy, further characterization of the molecular crosstalk between myofibroblasts and cancer cells is required.
Simulation modeling analysis to support decision making of cassava harvesting in Thailand

This paper involves a simulation modeling of cassava harvesting and selling practice. Cassava farmers mostly make selling decisions based on experience. These decisions include harvesting cycles, which vary from eight months to 18 months; and selling practices, which are selling based on weight and selling based on percentage of starch. Making both decisions that leads to a maximal profit is difficult when several factors, such as cassava market price, cassava yield (amount and percent starch), and market conditions, that impact the decision outcome contain variability. Simulation modeling is an effective tool for decision analysis under such uncertainties. The objective of this study is to develop a simulation model that can provide guideline for making these decisions. A model verification is conducted and the results show that the model logics are correctly constructed and that the model can be used to evaluate different harvesting cycles and selling practices for further analysis.
Intestinal Uptake and Metabolism of Threonine: Nutritional Impact

Summary Amino acid metabolism by the splanchnic tissues, which include the liver and the portal-drained viscera (PDV), determines amino acid availability for protein deposition in peripheral tissues and thus whole-body growth. Threonine, lysine and methionine are the first limiting amino acids in milk-based and cereal diets of growing pigs. Studies have shown that both dietary essential and non-essential amino acids are extensively utilized by intestinal tissues for the generation of energy, protein synthesis, and other biosynthetic purposes. Threonine, with 60-80% extraction in first-pass of the dietary intake, is the single most utilized essential amino acid by the PDV. This can most likely be attributed to the incorporation of threonine into membrane-associated and secretory mucosal glycoproteins, the so-called mucins, which are an important component of the protective mucus covering the gut epithelium. In pigs, mucin represents 11% of the basal endogenous ileal losses of protein with threonine contributing approximately 30% to the total amino acid content. Thus, the secretion, recycling, and loss of intestinal mucins have a substantial impact on the maintenance requirement for threonine. Factors that increase the production of mucin will increase threonine requirements and consequently, decrease the availability of threonine and energy for growth and production. Furthermore, the availability of threonine may limit intestinal mucin synthesis and therefore reduce gut barrier function. This highlights the importance of threonine for maintaining intestinal integrity, which is essential for regulating dietary amino acid supply for the whole body.
Primary care clinicians' use of standardized tools to assess child psychosocial problems.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Children's psychosocial problems are prevalent but often inaccurately diagnosed. This study investigated primary care clinicians' (PCCs) use of standardized tools for psychosocial problems among children in whom they reported finding a problem. METHODS The data consisted of 21 065 unique visits by children ages 4 to 15 years in 204 practices. Parents completed questionnaires before seeing the PCCs, who completed a survey after the visit. This analysis included 3934 children who were recognized by PCCs as having one or more psychosocial problems. The primary outcome was the PCCs' usage of a tool to assess child psychosocial problems. RESULTS PCCs used a tool in 20.2% of visits where a psychosocial problem was recognized, whereas 50% of PCCs never used such tools. Tools were less likely to be used by female PCCs and family practitioners and were less likely to be used with girls and African American children. Tools were more frequently used with children with attention problems, during visits for psychosocial problems, and when the PCC knew about the problem before the visits. CONCLUSIONS PCCs use standardized tools infrequently to screen for, confirm, or monitor psychosocial problems.