Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of hyperbaric exposure on mechanical and electronic parameters of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators

Abstract Aims Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is the standard adjuvant treatment for life-threatening or disabling pathologies. Currently, mechanical and electronic variations of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) in hyperbaric conditions have not been evaluated. As a result, many patients eligible for HBOT but ICD recipients cannot undergo this therapy, even in emergency situations. Methods and results Twenty-two explanted ICD of various brands and models were randomized in two groups: single hyperbaric exposure at an absolute pressure of 4000 hPa and 30 iterative hyperbaric exposures at an absolute pressure of 4000 hPa. Mechanical and electronic parameters of these ICD were blindly assessed before, during, and after hyperbaric exposures. Regardless of the hyperbaric exposure, we could not find any mechanical distortion, inappropriate occurrence of anti-tachycardia therapies, dysfunction of tachyarrhythmia therapeutic programming, or dysfunction of programmed pacing parameters. Conclusion Dry hyperbaric exposure seems harmless on ICD tested ex vivo. This result may lead to a reconsideration of the absolute contraindication of emergency HBOT to ICD recipients. A real-life study in these patients with an indication to HBOT should be performed to assess their tolerance to the treatment.
The augmentation of Knowledge Management through Industry 4.0: case of Aviation sector of emerging economy

ABSTRACT This research examines critical elements of knowledge management and industry 4.0 that assist human resources in the air transport industry. In addition, we look at the essential components that connect the divide between Industry 4.0 and knowledge management. This paper uses the Grey- DEMATEL technique to comprehend the cause-and-effect factors and their interrelationships. A seven-scale ranking, and sensitivity analysis was further applied for better results. It was observed from the findings that information sharing (F15) was the most significant factor for the aviation sector as the causal factor was ranked as the top criterion. Joint knowledge creation (F15) was ranked as the second topmost criteria as effect factor. E-learning (F9) is the third-ranking effect factor. This paper showed that information sharing assists in management performance and efficiency performance in the aviation sector.
IceCube events and decaying dark matter: hints and constraints

In the light of the new IceCube data on the (yet unidentified) astrophysical neutrino flux in the PeV and sub-PeV range, we present an update on the status of decaying dark matter interpretation of the events. In particular, we develop further the angular distribution analysis and discuss the perspectives for diagnostics. By performing various statistical tests (maximum likelihood, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Anderson-Darling tests) we conclude that currently the data show a mild preference (below the two sigma level) for the angular distribution expected from dark matter decay vs. the isotropic distribution foreseen for a conventional astrophysical flux of extragalactic origin. Also, we briefly develop some general considerations on heavy dark matter model building and on the compatibility of the expected energy spectrum of decay products with the IceCube data, as well as with existing bounds from gamma-rays. Alternatively, assuming that the IceCube data originate from conventional astrophysical sources, we derive bounds on both decaying and annihilating dark matter for various final states. The lower limits on heavy dark matter lifetime improve by up to an order of magnitude with respect to existing constraints, definitively making these events—even if astrophysical in origin—an important tool for astroparticle physics studies.
Managing Water-Energy-Carbon Nexus for Urban Areas With Ambiguous Moment Information

The rapid growth of electric load fuels urbanization but creates unsettling environmental challenges. In that regard, the energy system is a crucial part of consuming water and emitting greenhouse gases. To support reliable and economical energy system operations, with reduced water waste and carbon emissions, we design a viable co-optimization of water-energy-carbon nexus for an integrated energy system by adequately modelling essential interdependencies of power, gas, and water systems. A two-stage distributionally robust optimization method is proposed: the first-stage model minimizes the day-ahead reserve capacity scheduling for the next day, and the second-stage model enables real-time dispatch by considering the variability in renewable power generation. The carbon emissions by power generation and distribution are incorporated in both stages to ensure low-carbon operations. We use a two-stage moment-based distributionally robust approach to capture and represent the uncertainties in renewable generation. Instead of assuming a deterministic distribution, we characterize an ambiguity set with mean vectors and covariance matrices, which produces a family set of distributions. We conduct case studies using a modified IEEE 33-bus power system that includes and links a 20-node gas system and a 10-node water system. The comparative results indicate that the proposed co-optimization of water-energy-carbon nexus is superior than several benchmarks. By considering the close interdependencies of water, energy, and carbon, we create an optimal resource allocation scheme, which is capable of minimizing operation costs, lessening carbon emissions, and reducing water waste. The current research enables effective operation schemes for urban energy systems, illustrates a viable way to curb local environmental emissions, and increases water usage efficiency in the water-energy-carbon nexus.
Small sets of reals through the prism of fractal dimensions

A separable metric space X is an H-null set if any uniformly continuous image of X has Hausdorff dimension zero. upper H-null, directed P-null and P-null sets are defined likewise, with other fractal dimensions in place of Hausdorff dimension. We investigate these sets and show that in 2^\omega{} they coincide, respectively, with strongly null, meager-additive, T' and null-additive sets. Some consequences: A subset of 2^\omega{} is meager-additive if and only if it is E-additive; if f:2^\omega->2^\omega{} is continuous and X is meager-additive, then so is f(X), and likewise for null-additive and T'-sets.
Propagation of collective surface plasmons in 1D periodic ionic structure

The propagation of the collective surface plasmons, called plasmon-polaritons, in infinite equidistant ionic sphere chain has been analyzed. The ideal cancellation of irradiative losses of these ionic excitations in the chain is demonstrated by inclusion of appropriately retarded near-, medium and far-field components of dipole interaction between spheres in the chain. It is proved that the Lorentz friction losses in each sphere are completely compensated by the energy income from the rest of the chain for a wide sector of the plasmon-polariton wave vector domain. There is shown that the damping of plasmon-polariton is reduced to only residual Ohmic losses much lower than irradiation losses for the separate electrolyte sphere. The self-frequencies and the group velocities of plasmon-polaritons for longitudinal and transversal (with respect to the chain orientation) polarizations are determined and assessed for various ion and electrolyte parameters. It is proved that there exist weakly damped self-modes of plasmon-polaritons in the chain for which the propagation range is limited by relatively small Ohmic losses only. Completely undamped collective waves are also described in the case of the presence of persistent external excitation of some fragment of the chain. The possibility of application of the plasmon-polariton model to describe the so-called saltatory conduction in periodically myelinated nerve axons is preliminarily discussed.
Econometric profiles of testing of statistical hypotheses: model specification tests

The paper, within the frame of econometric specification testing – after an excursus on criteria based on likelihood theory –, focuses on a pair of emblematic and virtually specular facets of the model specification and validation process. Indeed, within a mean-dispersion linear specification framework, the paper faces the issues of testing on the one hand, the overall significance of the regression and on the other, the sphericalness of disturbances and, making use of an elegant algebraic toolkit, derives the ad hoc Lagrange multiplier test statistics.
Urban heat island development affected by urban surface factors

This study examines the spatial and quantitative influence of urban factors on the surface air temperature field of the medium-sized city of Szeged, Hungary, using of mobile measurements under different weather conditions between March 1999 and February 2000. This city with a population of about 160,000 is situated on a low, flat flood plain. The efforts have been concentrated on investigating the development of the urban heat island (UHI) in its peak development during the diurnal cycle. Tasks include determination of spatial distribution of mean maximum UHI intensity, using of standard kriging procedure and determination of statistical model equations in the one-year study period, as well as in the heating and non-heating seasons. Multiple correlation and regression analyses are used to examine the effects of urban surface parameters (land-use characteristics and distance from the city centre determined in a grid network) on the UHI. Results indicate isotherms increasing in regular concentric shapes from the suburbs toward the inner urban areas with a seasonal variation in the UHI magnitude. In the city centre the mean maximum UHI intensity reaches more than 2.6°C, 3.1°C and 2.1°C, respectively. As the patterns show, there is a clear connection between urban thermal excess and built-up density. As the model equations show, strong relationships exist between urban thermal excess and distance, as well as built-up ratio, but the role of water surface is negligible.
Quantum-field dynamics of expanding and contracting Bose-Einstein condensates

We analyze the dynamics of quantum statistics in a harmonically trapped Bose-Einstein condensate, whose two-body interaction strength is controlled via a Feshbach resonance. From an initially noninteracting coherent state, the quantum field undergoes Kerr squeezing, which can be qualitatively described with a single mode model. To render the effect experimentally accessible, we propose a homodyne scheme, based on two hyperfine components, which converts the quadrature squeezing into number squeezing. The scheme is numerically demonstrated using a two-component Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov formalism.
Ganoderic Acid A Inhibits High Glucose-Induced Oxidative Stress and Extracellular Matrix Accumulation in Rat Glomerular Mesangial Cells

Objective We aimed to investigate the role of ganoderic acid A (GAA) in glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) under high glucose (HG). Methods GMCs were pretreated with GAA and then cultured under HG condition for 24 h. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay. The production of intracellular ROS was determined using DCFH-DA. The activities of SOD and CAT were measured using ELISA kits. The expressions of NOX2, NOX4, fibronectin (FN), collagen IV (col IV), p38, and p-p38 were detected by western blot. Results GAA suppressed GMC proliferation in response to HG stimulation. GAA significantly attenuated HG-caused increase in ROS production and decreases in SOD and CAT activities in GMCs. In addition, the increased expressions of NOX2 and NOX4 and NOX activity in HG-induced GMCs were significantly decreased by GAA. Furthermore, GAA greatly inhibited the levels of FN and col IV in HG-stimulated GMCs. Mechanistic investigations showed that HG caused activation of p38 MAPK pathway, whereas the induction was mitigated by GAA. Notably, the specific agonist of p38 MAPK pathway (P79350) reversed the effects of GAA on GMCs. Conclusion GAA protected GMCs from HG-induced oxidative stress and ECM production, which was mediated by the inhibition of the p38 MAPK pathway.
Over 1-Tbit/s demultiplexing using low-temperature-grown InGaAs/InAlAs multiple quantum wells

Optical switching/sampling modules operating in the 1.55 /spl mu/m band were developed using ultrafast all-optical AND gates made with low-temperature grown InGaAs/InAlAs multiple quantum wells. The modules achieved a response time of 390 fs with a contrast ratio of 25 in a fiber-based experiment. Using the modules, we demonstrated all-optical demultiplexing for signal pulses corresponding to 1.05 Tbit/s and we clearly detected the demultiplexed optical signals.
Folding Mechanism and Aggregation Propensity of the KH0 Domain of FMRP and Its R138Q Pathological Variant

The K-homology (KH) domains are small, structurally conserved domains found in proteins of different origins characterized by a central conserved βααβ “core” and a GxxG motif in the loop between the two helices of the KH core. In the eukaryotic KHI type, additional αβ elements decorate the “core” at the C-terminus. Proteins containing KH domains perform different functions and several diseases have been associated with mutations in these domains, including those in the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FMRP is an RNA-binding protein crucial for the control of RNA metabolism whose lack or mutations lead to fragile X syndrome (FXS). Among missense mutations, the R138Q substitution is in the KH0 degenerated domain lacking the classical GxxG motif. By combining equilibrium and kinetic experiments, we present a characterization of the folding mechanism of the KH0 domain from the FMRP wild-type and of the R138Q variant showing that in both cases the folding mechanism implies the accumulation of an on-pathway transient intermediate. Moreover, by exploiting a battery of biophysical techniques, we show that the KH0 domain has the propensity to form amyloid-like aggregates in mild conditions in vitro and that the R138Q mutation leads to a general destabilization of the protein and to an increased fibrillogenesis propensity.
Periodic solutions for third order ordinary differential equations.

In this paper, we introduce the concept of upper and lower solutions for third order periodic boundary value problems. We show that the monotone iterative technique is valid and obtain the extremal solutions as limits of monotone sequences. We first present a new maximum principle for ordinary differential inequalities of third order that is interesting by itself.
Broad Asset Portfolio Designed Based on the Mean-Variance Model

Contemporarily, broad asset class allocation has gradually become an ideal investment strategy for investors and institutions. This paper constructs the optimal asset class allocation and portfolio design with python based on the mean-variance model, using stocks, gold, crude oil, bonds, futures, foreign exchange, funds, commodities, digital currencies and treasury bonds as the main underlying assets. To compare the asset allocation portfolios constructed by different approaches (the equally weighted investment model, the minimum variance model and the maximum Sharpe ratio model), the comparative analysis is implemented in terms of five indicators, including the annualised return, annualised volatility, Sharpe ratio, maximum drawdown and return-to-drawdown ratio. After the comparison, the advantages of the maximum Sharpe ratio model are demonstrated. According to the results, the mean-variance model, as a risk management model from the investor’s perspective, is consistent with the investment logic of investors and financial institutions that it outperforms the traditional minimum variance model and equally weighted model in terms of profitability and risk control. Therefore, the mean-variance model has certain theoretical guidance for broad asset class allocation. Overall, these results shed light on portfolio designed for investments.
How Chinese Private Medium-Size Steel Traders Response to Political & Economical Change by Business Model Transformation: An Evidence from Zhejiang Dongchang Industrial Group Ltd

The recent changes in China's economic and political environment have brought challenges to the operations of small and medium-sized steel traders, prompting them to transform their business models. This article uses Dongchang as an example to analyze its business model's transformation and point out a reasonable direction. The analysis process of this paper provides insights for other small and medium-sized steel trading enterprises to transform their direction.
Power-Efficient Analog Front-End Interference Suppression With Binary Antennas

Digital and analog beamforming are well-known methods to suppress interference using multiple-antenna structures, but they have practical limitations: (i) Digital beamforming requires multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to enable digital conversion, which increases the cost and complexity; (ii) Although analog beamforming does not require expensive ADCs, it uses phase shifters, which cause quantization errors, insertion losses, and reduced power efficiency. In this paper, we consider a $K$ -user uplink interference channel and propose a low-complexity algorithmic interference-suppression solution relying on simple switch-based reconfigurable antennas at the receivers. We utilize switches to enable/disable antennas to maximize each user’s signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). We present an optimization approach to approximate the optimal solution. To evaluate the results, we compare our method with relevant benchmarks. Moreover, we derive a lower bound on the minimum number of antenna elements per receiver to attain the desired SINR and verify the findings via simulations.
The infinite associahedron and R.J. Thompson's group T

In this paper we construct a cellular complex which is an infinite analogue to Stasheff's associahedra. We prove that it is contractible and state that its (combinatorial) automorphism group is isomorphic to a semi-direct product of R.J. Thompson's group $T$ with $\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}$.
Elastic scattering of low-energy neutrinos by atomic systems

A study is made of the elastic scattering of low-energy neutrinos by atomic systems. In the case of the V variant of the weak interaction the scattering takes place coherently on the entire system (of electrons, protons, and neutrons), whereas in the case of the A variant the scattering takes place coherently on the shell electrons and on the nucleons of the nucleus separately. The coherence effect is illustrated for the simplest atomic systems. The result is given for an arbitrary atom. The analysis shows that for neutrino energies < or approx. =10 keV there is a region of coherent optical neutrino effects in which the dominant processes involve elastic scattering of the neutrino by the atom as a whole.
Open system dynamics of simple collision models

A simple collision model is employed to introduce elementary concepts of open system dynamics of quantum systems. In particular, within the framework of collision models we introduce the quantum analogue of thermalization process called quantum homogenization and simulate quantum decoherence processes. These dynamics are driven by partial swaps and controlled unitary collisions, respectively. We show that collision models can be used to prepare multipartite entangled states. Partial swap dynamics generates W-type of entanglement saturating the CKW inequalities, whereas the decoherence collision models creates GHZ-type of entangled states. The considered evolution of a system in a sequence of collisions is described by a discrete semigroup E_1,. ,E_n. Interpolating this discrete points within the set of quantum channels we derive for both processes the corresponding Lindblad master equations. In particular, we argue that collision models can be used as simulators of arbitrary Markovian dynamics, however, the inverse is not true.
India’s Soft Power as a Pillar of Foreign Policy

The power dynamics of nation-states around the world have undergone a significant change in the twenty-first century with regard to how governments define and demonstrate their authority. Since today's political world is becoming increasingly interconnected, governments have no choice but to spend heavily in both their soft and hard power matrices. Because of the current state of world politics, India has a better chance than ever before of becoming a major player in international affairs. In India and around the world, the election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has caused a sea change in public opinion about the dangers of religious militarism. These rights have become increasingly popular due to the increase of Hindutva rights. "Soft power" refers to the ability of a nation to achieve its foreign policy goals and objectives without resorting to coercion. With or without the use of "hard power," which can refer to methods such as the use of force or other very effective diplomatic initiatives, it is still a critical tenet of foreign policy. Hard power can be utilized in international and bilateral diplomacy to create a more expansive narrative. Economic, sociocultural, and even civilizational aspects all play a significant part in this wide-ranging topic. It all starts with messaging, which can be done through official channels like speeches and press conferences, or through the wide variety of media outlets available in today's hyper-connected world. Using India's "soft power" in international politics is the primary subject of this article.
Management Control Systems as the Protagonist in Public Sector Reforms: Observations from Worldwide Selected Literature

Management control systems are used in private sector in assisting management to achieve the goals of the organizations. In the 1980s the performance of public organizations in industrial economies has been the target of severe questioning and the main reason for such questioning is the comparisons with private sector standards of returns on investment and it turned public sector organizations from service orientation to commercial orientation. In this context the practitioners started to adopt new management approaches as the basis for improving performance in the public sector. This new management approach or management control systems in the public sector creates the changes to the structures and processes of public sector organizations with the objective of getting them to run better. The introduction of this new management approach in the public sector was to promote a culture of performance. The present study is an effort to understand the role of management control systems in the worldwide public sector reforms agendas by illustrating literatures from various parts of the world.