Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validation of a Novel Cutoff Point for the Fibrosis-4 Index Modified by Age in Patients with Fatty Liver Diseases

Background/purpose: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a new concept that better expresses the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Although the Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) can easily predict the degree of liver fibrosis, its diagnostic ability, especially in the elderly, requires validation. This study aimed to validate the diagnostic ability of revised cutoff points for FIB-4 in patients with MAFLD and NAFLD.Methods: This cross-sectional study included participants who underwent a health check-up from 2014 to 2019. The proportion and number of low, indeterminate, and high cutoff group between the conventional and revised cutoff points for FIB-4 were compared. The diagnostic ability of these points was compared using the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI) as a standard.Results: Of 21,801 participants, 5,559 (25.5%) had MAFLD and 4,463 (20.5%) had NAFLD. Using revised cutoff points, the proportion of the indeterminate group dropped from 46% to 15% in the MAFLD and 43% to 14% in the NAFLD group. Approximately 60% of patients with MAFLD and NAFLD from the indeterminate group with conventional FIB-4 moved to the low group with a revised FIB-4. Even after age adjustment, the APRI significantly increased for each FIB-4 category and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve with a diagnosis of APRI ≥ 1.0 increased in both the MAFLD and NAFLD groups.Conclusions: Using cutoff points for the FIB-4 modified by age, the proportion of the indeterminate group dropped and the diagnostic ability increased for both MAFLD and NAFLD.
Job Shop Scheduling to Meet Due Dates With Consideration to Sequence Dependent Setup Times in a Dynamic Environment

In this paper, we propose a dynamic job shop scheduling method to minimize tardiness with consideration to sequence dependent setup times. Schedules are optimized on a rolling basis using the mixture of genetic algorithm and switching priority rules. Both in genetic algorithm and switching rules, schedules are generated to increase due date allowances to be robust in dynamic environment. Numerical experiments show the effectiveness of the proposed method.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Reconfigurable optofluidic silicon-based photonic crystal components

We report reconfigurable optofluidic photonic crystal components in silicon-based membranes by controllably infiltrating and removing fluid from holes of the photonic crystal lattice. Systematic characterizations of our fluidically defined microcavities are presented, corresponding with the capability to increase or decrease the span of the fluid-filled regions and thus alter their optical properties. We show initial images of single-pore fluid infiltration for holes of diameter 265 nm. Furthermore, the infiltration process may employ a large range of optical fluids, adding more flexibility to engineer device functionality. We discuss the great potential offered by this optofluidic scheme for integrated optofluidic circuits, sensing, fluorescence and plasmonic applications.
NMR Spectroscopy-Based Metabolomics of Platelets to Analyze Brain Tumors

“Tumor-educated platelets” have recently generated substantial interest for the diagnosis of cancer. We hypothesized that tumor educated platelets from patients with brain tumors will reflect altered metabolism compared to platelets from healthy volunteers. Here, in a pilot study, we have employed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in platelets from brain tumor patients to demonstrate altered metabolism compared to the platelets obtained from healthy volunteers.
Computational Investigation of Novel Tip Leakage Mitigation Methods for High Pressure Turbine Blades

This paper presents preliminary findings on a possible approach to reducing tip leakage losses. In this paper a computational study was conducted on the Energy Efficient Engine (EEE) High Pressure Turbine (HPT) rotor tip geometry using the commercial numerical solver ANSYS FLUENT. The flow solver was validated against aerodynamic data acquired in the NASA Transonic Turbine Blade Cascade facility. The scope of the ongoing study is to computationally investigate how the tip leakage and overall blade losses are affected by (1) injection from the tip near the pressure side, (2) injection from the tip surface at the camber line, and (3) injection from the tip surface into the tip separation bubble. The objective is to identify the locations on the tip surface at which to place appropriately configured blowing keeping in mind the film cooling application of tip blowing holes. The validation was conducted at Reynolds numbers of 85,000, 343,000, and 685,000 and at engine realistic flow conditions. The coolant injection simulations were conducted at a Reynolds number of 343,000 based on blade chord and inlet velocity and utilized the SST turbulence model in FLUENT. The key parameters examined are the number of jets, jet angle and jet location. A coolant to inlet pressure ratio of 1.0 was studied for angles of +30 deg, -30 deg, and 90 deg to the local free stream on the tip. For the 3 hole configuration, 3 holes spaced 3 hole diameters apart with length to diameter ratio of 1.5 were used. A simulation including 11 holes along the entire mean camber line is also presented (30 deg toward suction side). In addition, the effect of a single hole is also compared to a flat tip with no injection. The results provide insight into tip flow control methods and can be used to guide further investigation into tip flow control. As noted in past research it is concluded that reducing leakage flow is not necessarily synonymous with reducing losses due to leakage.
NOTCH2/NOTCH3/DLL3/MAML1/ADAM17 signaling network is associated with ovarian cancer

Notch signaling is well-known for its role in regulating cell self-renewal and differentiation. Within the cancer research field, it has been identified that dysregulated Notch signaling is involved directly with various types of cancer. Although Notch signaling is generally considered as oncogenic, it sometimes acts as a tumor suppressor, highlighting the complexity of the role of Notch in cancer. A number of studies have associated Notch signaling components with ovarian cancer, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well-elucidated. In the present study, the roles of main components of Notch signaling in ovarian cancer were systematically analyzed through large data portals, including Prediction of Clinical Outcomes from Genomic Profiles, Gene Expression across Normal and Tumor tissue, CSIOVDB, Broad Institute Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia and cBioPortal. Upregulated expression of proteins in the Notch signaling pathway components in ovarian cancer was identified to be generally associated with poor overall and disease-free survival time, and more advanced cancer stages. In addition, Notch components were enriched in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines. These results led to a proposed neurogenic locus notch homolog protein (NOTCH)2/NOTCH3/Delta-like protein 3/Mastermind-like protein 1/a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 17 network. Anticancer drugs, developed to target this network, may have high specificity in treating Notch-associated ovarian cancer.
A comparative randomized trial of intubation success in difficult intubation cases: the use of a Frova intubation catheter versus a Bonfils intubation fiberoscope

Introduction A difficult airway is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in patients who undergo surgical interventions. Therefore, many devices and algorithms have been developed for the management of a difficult airway. However no study has been conducted comparing Frova catheter (FC) and a Bonfils fiberoscope (BF) to date. Aim To compare the effectiveness and success of two devices, a FC and BF, in difficult intubation cases. Material and methods Design: Single-centre randomized controlled trial in patients with difficult airways. The assignment order was created by unplanned number charts, and the assignment was hidden in closed covers, which were not unlocked until case permission had been provided. Setting: The trial was undertaken in a university hospital in Turkey. The primary analysis was based on 60 participants (n = 30, n = 30) with difficult intubation. The main outcomes were the success rates of placement of the tracheal tube in the trachea and the duration of the tracheal intubation process. Results In the BF group, successful intubation was carried out in 25 of the 30 (83.3%) patients, whereas intubation was successful in 28 of the 30 patients (93.3%) in the FC group. Patients who could not be intubated with the first device were intubated with the other device. The mean duration of intubation was 109 (85–140) s in the BF group, whereas it was 38.8 (26–60) s in the FC group. Conclusions Both devices were successful in difficult intubation cases. However, given the shorter duration of intubation using the FC and its lower cost as compared with that of the BF, the FC can be considered superior to the BF in difficult intubation cases.
A method for stability analysis of small‐signal microwave amplifiers

This paper presents a method for analyzing the stability of small-signal microwave amplifiers with any topology. This analysis is performed using the Nyquist criterion and allows detection of the so-called odd-mode instabilities. The method is easily applicable by using commercially available microwave CAD. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 8: 293–302, 1998.
Familiar neighbours, but not relatives, enhance fitness in a territorial mammal

Summary One of the outstanding questions in evolutionary biology is the extent to which mutually beneficial interactions and kin-selection can facilitate the evolution of cooperation by mitigating conflict between interacting organisms. The indirect fitness benefits gained from associating with kin are an important pathway to conflict resolution [1], but conflict can also be resolved if individuals gain direct benefits from cooperating with one another (e.g. mutualism or reciprocity) [2]. Owing to the kin-structured nature of many animal societies, it has been difficult for previous research to assess the relative importance of these mechanisms [3–5]. However, one area that might allow for the relative roles of kin-selection and mutualistic benefits to be disentangled is in the resolution of conflict over territorial space [6]. While much research has focused on group-living species, the question of how cooperation can first be favoured in solitary, territorial species remains a key question. Using 22 years of data from a population of North American red squirrels, we assessed how kinship and familiarity with neighbours affected fitness in a territorial mammal. While living near kin did not enhance fitness, familiarity with neighbours increased survival and annual reproductive success. These fitness benefits were strong enough to compensate for the effects of aging later in life, with potential consequences for the evolution of senescence. We suggest that such substantial fitness benefits provide the opportunity for the evolution of cooperation between adversarial neighbours, offering insight into the role that mutually beneficial behaviours might play in facilitating and stabilizing social systems. Graphical Abstract
Optical-I/O packaging technologies for chip- and board-level optical interconnects

As silicon LSIs become more densely integrated and the bit rates between them increase, traditional printed circuit boards present problems similar to electrical cables, which are already a bottleneck to cabinet interconnection. These problems include limited line length, poor flexibility in layout design, power dissipation, and crosstalk (EMI). One promising solution to these on-board electrical interconnection bottlenecks is to use optical interconnection technology at the chip level. Making chip-level optical interconnections practical requires revolutionary changes in optoelectronics packaging; the packaging must not only keep pace with silicon LSI capabilities but should also inherit the advantages of today? fs mature electronics packaging and manufacturability technologies. To meet these requirements, we developed novel optical-I/O packages for low-cost chip-to-chip optical interconnections. Unlike conventional optical packages, our packages are fully compatible with surface-mount technology (SMT) because they do not need optical connectors. The packages free users from all on-board connection work and fiber management. Using the developed optical-I/O packages, in which a VCSEL/PD array is mounted at the bottom, chip-to-chip parallel optical interconnection through a polymer waveguide array is demonstrated.
Fake News Detection: A Survey of Techniques

The extensive spread of fake news (low quality news with intentionally false information) has the potential for extremely negative impacts on individuals, society and particular in the political world. Therefore, fake news detection on social media has recently become an emerging research which is attracting tremendous attention. Detection of false information is technically challenging for several reasons. Use of various social media tools, content is easily generated and quickly spread, which lead to a large volume of content to analyze. Online information is very wide spread, which cover a large number of subjects, which contributes complexity to this task. The application of machine learning techniques are explored for the detection of ‘fake news’ that come from non-reputable sources which mislead real news stories. The purpose of the work is to come up with a solution that can be utilized by users to detect and filter out sites containing false and misleading information. This paper performs survey of Machine learning techniques which is mainly used for false detection and provides easier way to generate results.
Weyl-Heisenberg and wavelet phase space filtering using waveform signature templates

Mathematical formalism and computational considerations have led to the development of nonstationary filtering concepts that use coherent frames to exploit waveform frequency content that is localized in time. This paper deals with nonstationary filtering concepts that utilize phase space information provided by the Weyl-Heisenberg and wavelet coherent frames. In both cases, the frame formulations possess optimum simultaneous localization in phase space that follows from the use of Gaussian based frame functions. A filtering procedure is presented that first formulates a noise-free waveform signature template in phase space, and then uses this template for nonstationary filtering. The nonstationary filtering operation can be applied either before or after classical matched filtering to obtain improved peak signal-to-root mean square (rms) noise ratio (SNR) performance for enhanced detection or waveform feature extraction. The advantage arises from exploiting the time varying spectrum of the waveform. The manner in which the SNR improvement comes about is examined so that it can be properly interpreted in the context of candidate applications. The procedure is described and the performance is demonstrated using both the Weyl- Heisenberg and wavelet coherent frames applied to examples of linear FM and Barker coded waveforms. The nonstationary filter performance used with the matched filter is compared to classical stationary matched filter performance for the case of additive white Gaussian noise.
MODELLING THE IMPACT OF ESTUARINE AND COASTAL MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES ON TIDAL DYNAMICS IN THE GERMAN BIGHT

Morphology in shallow coastal zones significantly characterises the local tidal regime. Changes of the shape of the coastal relief and bathymetry thus also effect the tidal dynamics in that region. The investigation aims at how far man-made morphological effects spread into adjacent regions and how they interact with natural morphological developments. This is addressed using numerical simulations of different morphological settings in a cross-scale hydrodynamic model. By isolating different morphological changes from other global or local effects, their specific contribution to local tide gauge observations along the German Bight is investigated. The paper exemplarily shows first results for the Weser estuary.
Analysis of Students Health Based on Association Rules

Association rule mining is one of the most important techniques in data mining. According to the national standard of students’ health, the health condition of university student should be tested once every academic year. So a lot of testing data have been recorded in our university. This paper analyzes these data of freshman students by positive and negative association rules and finds lots interesting results. By analyzing these results, some suggestions are proposed to improve the students’ health condition, including targeted physical education teaching, establish a supervising system, and do exercises on own initiative.
Experimental Study of Bamboo Fiber Cushion Packaging Materials for the Express Packaging

Obtained a new material named foamed bamboo fiber cushion packaging materials for the express packaging . The producing technics processes as follows, bamboo fiber firstly be dug into the NaOH solutions for N hours, and then wash them into the neutrality. Then, combine them with the gelatinized starches and propane triol. Next add the foamed agents, cross linking agents and nucleator agents. Finally deliver the composites into the reaction container and the composites will be foamed under a high temperature. By adding different contents of photo starches and contrasting the results of the experiments, it could conclude that 20g photo starches could bond the bamboo fibers and adhesives more efficiently without to be excessive. By selecting different kinds of foamed reagents and researching the suitable ratio of them, Finally cut the foamed productions into small grains. Test the static buffer characteristics of the small grains, and then σ -ε、C-ε curves could be recorded.
An Experimental Investigation of Oil-Water Flow Patterns in Horizontal Pipes

In this paper, an experimental research on the oil-water liquid-liquid two-phase flow patterns and their transitions in horizontal pipes are carried out. According to online oil-water flow structures and the analysis of pressure drop signals. , different flow patterns are defined and distinguished. A new classification for oil-water flow patterns is proposed. The flow pattern maps are obtained from the experimental data, and the factors affecting the transition mechanism of different flow regimes are discussed. In addition, some semi-theoretical criteria for the transition between different flow patterns are proposed. Especially, an accurate model is developed to predict the critical conditions for phase inversion. Comparisons of the proposed criteria with other experimental data show reasonable agreements.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
A Decade of Distraction? How Multitasking Affects Student Outcomes

The proliferation and ease of access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as Facebook, text messaging, and instant messaging has resulted in ICT users being presented with more real-time streaming data than ever before. Unfortunately, this has also resulted in individuals increasingly engaging in multitasking as an information management strategy. The purpose of this study was to examine how college students multitask with ICTs and to determine the impacts of this multitasking on their college GPA. Using web survey data from a large sample of college students at one university (N=1,839), we found that students reported spending a large amount of time using ICTs on a daily basis. Students reported frequently searching for content not related to courses, using Facebook, emailing, talking on their cell phones, and texting while doing schoolwork. Hierarchical (blocked) linear regression analyses revealed that using Facebook and texting while doing schoolwork were negatively associated with overall college GPA. Conversely, emailing was positively associated with college GPA. Engaging in Facebook use or texting while trying to complete schoolwork may tax students’ capacity for cognitive processing and preclude deeper learning, while emailing may be directly related to learning. Our research indicates that the type and purpose of ICT use matters in terms of the educational impacts of multitasking.
Effects of supplemental β-carotene on growth performance, immune function and intestinal mucin in weaned piglets

Background Weaning stress causes intestinal immune system disorders. β-carotene displays anti-inflammatory,which can prevent the development of inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of supplemental β-carotene on growth performance, immune function and intestinal mucin in weaned piglets.Results A total of 45 piglets with the average body weight of 4.62 ± 0.06 kg (14 d of age) were randomly assigned to 3 treatments with 5 replicate pens per treatment and 3 pigs per pen and weaned at 21 d. The control group (CG) fed the basal diets from 14 d to 24 d of age. The low-dose group (LG) and the high-dose group (HG) fed the basal diets supplemented with 40 or 80 mg/kg β-carotene from 14 d to 24 d of age, respectively. Compared with the CG, t he average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of piglets in the HG were increased (p<0.05). And the IgA and IL-10 levels in serum in the HG were also higher than those in the CG (p<0.05). The IgM, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in serum in the β-carotene groups were lower than those in the CG (p<0.05). Periodic Acid-Schiff stain results showed that the content of mucopolysaccharide and the number of goblet cells in the intestine in the β-carotene groups were more than those in the CG (p<0.05). The results of immunofluorescence showed that the expression of MUC1 in the intestine in the β-carotene groups was lower than that in the CG (p<0.05). And the expression of mucin1 mRNA in the intestine in the β-carotene groups was also lower than that in the CG (p<0.05). However, compared with the CG, the expression of mucin2 mRNA in the intestine in the HG was increased (p<0.05). Conclusion Supplemental β-carotene could improve growth performance, immune function and intestinal mucin in weaned piglets. It is suspected that our pre-protection of β-carotene in weaned piglets may help weaned piglets safely through the weaning period.
Hybrid Control of Smart Structures Using a Novel Wavelet‐Based Algorithm

Abstract: A tuned liquid column damper (TLCD) system provides the same level of vibration suppression as a conventional tuned mass damper (TMD) system but with several advantages. A new hybrid control system is presented through judicious combination of a passive supplementary damping system with a semi‐active TLCD system. The new model utilizes the advantages of both passive and semi‐active control systems, thereby improving the overall performance, reliability, and operability of the control system during normal operations as well as a power or computer failure. The robust wavelet‐hybrid feedback least mean square (LMS) control algorithm developed recently by the authors is used to find optimal values of the control parameters. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed hybrid damper‐TLCD system in reducing the vibrations under various seismic excitations are evaluated through numerical simulations performed for an eight‐story frame using three different simulated earthquake ground accelerations. It is found that the new model is effective in significantly reducing the response of the structure under various seismic excitations.