Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
3D Image Reconstruction of Monocrystalline Silicon Internal Defects Based on Ultrasonic Detection

With the purpose of detecting the internal defects of monocrystalline silicon, an ultrasonic detection platform has been set up with the method of circle traversal detection combining transmission and reflection laws. Marching Cubes algorithm is applied on the 3D image reconstruction of the silicon's internal structure to integrate and marginalize the defect information from different internal sections. Therefore, with this transparent processing method, the depth, size and shape of the internal defect can be acquired effectively, intuitively and accurately. The reconstruction experiments show the relative error of the defect diameter measurement is less than 4% comparing to the real measured value.
Análise das dimensões cognitivas de ALaDIM

Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de uma analise qualitativa de um sistema notacional, a linguagem ALaDIM e seu editor de diagramas, de acordo com o framework das dimensoes cognitivas [4], proposto para auxiliar na analise de usabilidade dos ambientes de programacao visual e, de um modo geral, qualquer tipo de sistema notacional. A analise permite uma discussao analitica sobre os aspectos fortes e as limitacoes do sistema notacional, o que traz importantes subsidios para o melhoramento do mesmo.
Response to Letter to the Editor Response to Letter to the Editor : Pulmonary Delivery of Dry Powders During Invasive Mechanical Ventilation : Innovations Are Required

To the Editor: We thank Dr. Guillon and his co-workers for their feedback on our article. They re-emphasized the need to develop new technologies for the delivery of dry powder to ventilated patients, providing clinicians more options in patient care. A major limitation of the dry powder delivery system that we proposed is the necessity to disconnect the intubated patients temporarily from the ventilator, which could be a risk factor for patients suffering from severe hypoxemic respiratory failure. Therefore, we suggested further study in incorporating the dry powder delivery system within a mechanical ventilator. Guillon et al. has proposed an interesting system to introduced lactose powder (2.5 mg/kg) to ventilated Cynomolgus monkeys without disconnecting them from the mechanical ventilation. They employed a Dry Powder Insufflator and Bodai valve, with the delivery tube directly inserted into the endotracheal tube and adjusted to the extremity position of the endotracheal tube to deliver the powder directly to the lungs. The DPI was placed inside a holding chamber and actuated by air puffs generated by a syringe. This system is relatively simple and major components are commercially available, making it an attractive candidate to be developed for human use. In vitro results showed that more than 90% powder was released in four puffs of air, and a volume median diameter (VDM) of 63 lm was measured. In their in vivo experiment, a 100% powder delivery was achieved and no relevant histological modification and pulmonary damages were observed in the tested monkeys after a 14-day treatment period. These promising results demonstrate the potential of their system to be further developed to introduce carrierbased DPIs to ventilated patients. Guillon et al. highlighted that the large VDM could limit alveolar deposition. It is worth pointing out that most commercially available carrier-based inhalers used coarse lactose particles (VDM = 40–73 lm) as carrier particles, which are mostly deposited in the throat and upper lung regions when inhaled through a carrier-based DPI. They also underlined another limitation of their proposed system, which is the tip of the device touching the trachea during insertion. It would be of interest to investigate the effects of tip position of the delivery tube on the deliver dose. Identifying a tip position away from the extremity of the endotracheal tube without significant reduction in the delivered dose can reduce the risk of touching the trachea. Moreover, we believe the coordination between device actuation and breathing pattern of the ventilated monkey could have a crucial role in determining the delivered dose. This information is missing in the letter. Lastly, we appreciate Dr. Guillon et al. for their comments on our publication and are delighted to learn more efforts are devoted to developing dry powder delivery system for mechanically ventilated patients.
Public procurement and Institutions as External Limiting Factors of Design for Innovation: The case of innovative procurement of maritime radio technology. Paper

This paper draws on research carried out in a project devoted to studying public technology procurement, sometimes called innovative public procurement. This kind of procurement occurs when a public agency places an order for a product or a system which does not exist at the time, but which could (probably) be developed within a reasonable period. It is a process where design and innovation are required to fulfil the demands of the buyer. Viewed as such, innovative public procurement can be regarded as an activity where collaboration and interactive learning processes are likely to take place between the procurer and the supplier(s). Typically, the procurer possesses knowledge about the functional requirements of the artefact or system to be procured that needs to be transferred to the producer. Correspondingly, the supplier possesses technical knowledge about possibilities and implementing capabilities that needs to be communicated to the procurer. In general, the design process involved here can be described neither as a linear, nor an iterative, but a fully dynamic process where the designer’s view of reality, his or her aims, and the artefact under development will interact with each other and eventually lead to the creation of a product. The finalisation of an innovative procurement project 1 This refers to the Inno-utilities project funded by the European Commission. The research component of the project has been managed by Leif Hommen, at the division of Innovation, Lund university. The current paper reports from research carried out under supervision from and collaboration with him. Acknowledged are also comments made on an earlier draft of the paper by Thomas Kaiserfeld, Dpt of History of Science and Technology, Royal Inst of Technology, Sweden.
Implementation of an Early Extubation Protocol in Cardiac Surgical Patients Decreased Ventilator Time But Not Intensive Care Unit or Hospital Length of Stay.

OBJECTIVE The optimal timing of extubation following cardiac surgery is currently unknown. Protocols implemented in order to achieve a rapid extubation may achieve this goal, but not prove beneficial in terms of outcomes. DESIGN A prospective clinical trial. SETTING Tertiary care cardiac surgical intensive care unit. PARTICIPANTS Adult cardiac surgical patients. INTERVENTIONS Implementation of an 8-tier multidisciplinary rapid weaning protocol. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Ventilator times 6 months prior to and 6 months after implementation of the protocol were measured. Outcomes associated with ventilator times were measured by dividing the patients into tertiles (<6 hours, 6-12 hours, >12 hours). Primary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay. Secondary outcomes included mortality at 30 days and other major morbidities. In all, 459 patients were included in the study. With implementation of the protocol, median ventilation times decreased from 7.4 hours (interquartile range, IQR = 3rd quartile - 1st quartil e= 6.72 hours) to 5.73 hours (IQR = 5.51 hours) (p < 0.0001). However, median ICU length of stay in patients who achieved extubation within 6 hours increased to 49.45 hours (IQR = 44.4) from 40.3 (IQR = 25.6) (p = 0.0017). Median hospital length of stay was not significantly changed due to the protocol in any ventilation tertile (p = 0.650). CONCLUSIONS Decreasing intubation times to <6 hours in postsurgical cardiac patients is obtainable with implementation of a multidisciplinary rapid weaning protocol. However, patients extubated within 6 hours had increased ICU length of stay and no difference in hospital length of stay with this intervention.
Immune Complexes Inhibit Differentiation, Maturation, and Function of Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells1

The interaction between immune complexes (IC) and the receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (FcγRs) triggers regulatory and effector functions in the immune system. In this study, we investigated the effects of IC on differentiation, maturation, and functions of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC). When IC were added on day 0, DC generated on day 6 (IC-DC) showed lower levels of CD1a and increased expression of CD14, MHC class II, and the macrophage marker CD68, as compared with normally differentiated DC. The use of specific blocking FcγR mAbs indicated that the effect of IC was exerted mainly through their interaction with FcγRI and to a lesser extend with FcγRII. Immature IC-DC also expressed higher levels of CD83, CD86, and CD40 and the expression of these maturation markers was not further regulated by LPS. The apparent lack of maturation following TLR stimulation was associated with a decreased production of IL-12, normal secretion of IL-10 and CCL22, and increased production of CXCL8 and CCL2. IC-DC displayed low endocytic activity and a reduced ability to induce allogeneic T cell proliferation both at basal and LPS-stimulated conditions. Altogether, these data reveal that IC strongly affect DC differentiation and maturation. Skewing of DC function from Ag presentation to a proinflammatory phenotype by IC resembles the state of activation observed in DC obtained from patients with chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus disease and arthritis. Therefore, the altered maturation of DC induced by IC may be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
Genome-Wide Transcriptional Profiling of the Steady-State Response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Hydrogen Peroxide

ABSTRACT The steady-state response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to the oxidative-stress-generating agent hydrogen peroxide was analyzed by PAO1 transcriptome profiling. In total, 694, 411, and 237 genes were upregulated and 668, 576, and 468 genes were downregulated in P. aeruginosa strains TB, 892, and PAO1, respectively. The expression profiles of the two variants of the TB clone were significantly more related to each other than the expression profile of either strain was to that of PAO1. Exposure to H2O2 activated by more than 10-fold the expression of the cyoABCD operon, which is key for aerobic respiration, and of oxidative-stress response elements such as the catalase KatB, the alkyl hydroperoxide reductase AhpF, and the thioredoxin reductase 2 operon. Genes for iron and sulfur homeostasis were upregulated. Most enzymes necessary for the conversion of amino acids into the citric acid cycle were globally downregulated at the transcriptional level. Nitrate respiration and arginine fermentation were shut off in the clone TB strains and attenuated in the PAO strain. The transcriptional profiles indicate that the two clone TB strains are more proficient in coping with H2O2-mediated oxidative stress than the reference strain PAO. According to this data, we recommend study of the transcriptome of strain PAO1 in parallel with those of at least two strains of another clone in order to differentiate common responses from clone- and strain-specific responses and to minimize overinterpretations of microarray data.
Plasma and renal clearances of lactated Ringer’s solution in pediatric and adult patients just before anesthesia is induced

Background: Lactated Ringer’s solution is most widely used in children, but little is known about how children who are scheduled for surgery handle a fluid load when compared to adults. This study explores whether a more cautious regimen for the administration of lactated Ringer’s is warranted in children awaiting minor surgery when compared to adults.
Guidelines for Privacy-Friendly Default Settings

The debates regarding privacy on social networks often relate to the amount of control an individual has - or should have - over his/her personal data. This has resulted in many social networks gearing up their privacy settings panes, offering more fine-grained control to their users. Paradoxically, it seems as if these controls do not contribute (a lot) to the protection of individuals' privacy in practice. Every control in the privacy settings pane has a 'default,' a value to which it is set when the user remains inactive. Naturally, most social networks align these default settings to their own business interests which usually do not coincide with their users' privacy interests. This paper attempts to evaluate the importance of having in place 'privacy-friendly default settings' as a way to protect individuals' privacy and personal data more effectively. After a critical assessment of their benefits and drawbacks, the paper sets forth some concrete guidelines that can be used to establish privacy-friendly (default) settings. Last, but not least, the paper evaluates the potential legal bases of such privacy-friendly default settings.
Impaired performance of skeletal muscle in α‐glucosidase knockout mice

Glycogen storage disease type II (GSD II) is an inherited progressive muscle disease in which lack of functional acid α‐glucosidase (AGLU) results in lysosomal accumulation of glycogen. We report on the impact of a null mutation of the acid α‐glucosidase gene (AGLU−/−) in mice on the force production capabilities, contractile mass, oxidative capacity, energy status, morphology, and desmin content of skeletal muscle. Muscle function was assessed in halothane‐anesthetized animals, using a recently designed murine isometric dynamometer. Maximal torque production during single tetanic contraction was 50% lower in the knockout mice than in wild type. Loss of developed torque was found to be disproportionate to the 20% loss in muscle mass. During a series of supramaximal contraction, fatigue, expressed as percentile decline of developed torque, did not differ between AGLU−/− mice and age‐matched controls. Muscle oxidative capacity, energy status, and protein content (normalized to either dry or wet weight) were not changed in knockout mice compared to control. Alterations in muscle cell morphology were clearly visible. Desmin content was increased, whereas α‐actinin was not. As the decline in muscle mass is insufficient to explain the degree in decline of mechanical performance, we hypothesize that the large clusters of noncontractile material present in the cytoplasm hamper longitudinal force transmission, and hence muscle contractile function. The increase in muscular desmin content is most likely reflecting adaptations to altered intracellular force transmission. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 25: 873–883, 2002
Induction of Convulsive Seizures in Sound Sensitive Albino Mice: Response to Various Signal Frequencies 1

Summary Convulsive seizures were induced in audiosensitive seizure-prone mice, O'Grady strain, with defined sound signals. Optimum frequency for seizure induction was 13 kHz, but a signal of 22 kHz, inaudible to human observers, was also satisfactory. Measurements with an octave band filter covering the main mouse hearing range established that no one wavelength was specifically responsible for seizure induction: all frequencies between 8-30 kHz were convulsive, depending only on the mouse hearing acuity.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Gag Polyprotein Modulates Its Own Translation

ABSTRACT The full-length viral RNA of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) functions both as the mRNA for the viral structural proteins Gag and Gag/Pol and as the genomic RNA packaged within viral particles. The packaging signal which Gag recognizes to initiate genome encapsidation is in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) of the HIV-1 RNA, which is also the location of translation initiation complex formation. Hence, it is likely that there is competition between the translation and packaging processes. We studied the ability of Gag to regulate translation of its own mRNA. Gag had a bimodal effect on translation from the HIV-1 5′ UTR, stimulating translation at low concentrations and inhibiting translation at high concentrations in vitro and in vivo. The inhibition was dependent upon the ability of Gag to bind the packaging signal through its nucleocapsid domain. The stimulatory activity was shown to depend on the matrix domain of Gag. These results suggest that Gag controls the equilibrium between translation and packaging, ensuring production of enough molecules of Gag to make viral particles before encapsidating its genome.
Successful Application of Hypothermia Combined with Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Support to Low-Cardiac-Output State After Open Heart Surgery

The authors report a successful application of hypothermia, along with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support, to postcardiotomy ventricular failure. Surface-cooling hypothermia was applied in 8 patients after open heart surgery. The original cardiac procedure consisted of 3 aortocoronary bypass graftings (ACBGs), 2 aortic valve replace ments (AVRs), 1 repair for left ventricular (LV) rupture after mitral valve replacement (MVR), 1 MVR+ACBG, and 1 MVR+AVR+tricuspid valve annuloplasty (TAP). Their ages ranged from fifty-two to sixty-eight years with a mean of sixty-one years. Hemodynamic criteria for induction of hypothermia included cardiac index (CI) less than 2.0 L/min/m2 with left atrial pressure greater than 18 mmHg despite the use of IABP and maximum pharmacologic support. Blood temperature was maintained at around 33°C. By six hours after induction of hypothermia the tissue oxygen consumption decreased significantly with no hemodynamic deterioration as compared with that before cooling. The duration of hypothermia ranged from thirty-six to one hundred fifty-nine hours with a mean of seventy-eight hours. All 8 patients finally discontinued IABP support with a mean driving time of one hundred thirty-two hours. Five of them were ultimately discharged from the hospital and returned to their previous life-style. The authors believe that, from the perspective of monetary and personal resources, the use of hypothermia with IABP support could be a therapeutic option for patients with postcardiotomy ventricular failure.
Antibiotic dosing during sustained low-efficiency dialysis: Special considerations in adult critically ill patients*

Objective:To address issues of antibiotic dosing during sustained low-efficiency dialysis by using available pharmacokinetic data, intermittent and continuous renal replacement therapy dialysis guidelines, and our experience with sustained low-efficiency dialysis. Data Resources:Published clinical trials, case reports, and reviews of antibiotic dosing in humans during sustained low-efficiency dialysis. Data Extraction:A search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, and Ovid) was conducted by using key words of extended daily dialysis, sustained low-efficiency dialysis, antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, and pharmacokinetics. MEDLINE identified 32 sustained low-efficiency dialysis articles, and PubMed identified 33 articles. All papers describing antibiotic clearance prospectively in patients were considered for this article. Data Synthesis:We identified nine original research articles and case reports that determined the impact of sustained low-efficiency dialysis on antibiotic clearance in patients. The blood and dialysate flow rates, duration of dialysis, type of filter, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were extracted from each article. If multiple articles on the same drug were published, they were compared for consistency with the aforementioned dialysis parameters and then compared with forms of continuous renal replacement therapy. Antibiotic clearance by sustained low-efficiency dialysis was determined to be similar or higher than continuous renal replacement therapy therapies. The estimated creatinine clearance during sustained low-efficiency dialysis was approximately 60 mL/min to 100 mL/min depending on the blood and dialysate flow rates and the type of filter used. Conclusions:The potential for significant drug removal during an 8-hr-or-longer sustained low-efficiency dialysis session is evident by the limited number of studies available. Because significant amounts of drug may be removed by sustained low-efficiency dialysis combined with altered pharmacokinetic variables in critically ill patients, the risk for suboptimal drug concentrations and pharmacodynamics must be considered. Appropriate dose and calculation of dosing intervals is essential to provide adequate antibiotic therapy in these patients. It is recommended that institutions who utilize sustained low-efficiency dialysis establish dosing guidelines for all pharmacists and physicians to follow to provide consistent delivery of antibiotics at adequate concentrations.
Higher Education in India: Structure, Statistics and Challenges

India's education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to the economic rise of India. The size of India's higher education market is about $40 billion per year. Presently about 12.4 percent of students go for higher education from the country. If India were to increase that figure of 12.4% to 30%, then it would need another 800 to one thousand universities and over 40,000 colleges in the next 10 years. This paper presents the development and present scenario of higher education in India by analyzing the various data and also identifies the key challenges that India's higher education sector is facing. This paper also presents the key initiatives by the government and recommendations to meet these challenges. The ideas presented in this paper were initially presented at the International conference on India Emerging, held at IBA, Greater Noida, India, Feb 24-25, 2011. Keywords: Higher Education, Knowledge Economy, Technical Education, University
Is Latour's due process feasible? The case of housing management strategy implementation

Due to a change in regulations in the 1990s, Dutch housing associations have become much more independent from government policies. As a result they have to formulate their own strategic goals on how to deal with their properties. The aim of this paper is to investigate whether Bruno Latour's due process model can be of help to housing associations implementing their strategies. In his Political Ecology, Latour (2004) has presented the due process model as a model through which new plans or ideas can be realised in society. In the case of housing management, measures from the management strategy should be implemented. Following McMaster, Vidgen & Wastell (1998), I will apply the due process retrospectively. To this end, a case study was conducted at a Dutch housing association.