Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decision-support system for risk management ofproduced water in the offshore petroleum industry

A decision-support system for produced water management (DISSPROWM) in offshore operations is being developed. The system determines the risk and hazards to human and marine species from non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic pollutants, including radionuclides present in produced water. The DISSPROWM also evaluates the best available treatment technology for treating the produced water whose properties are in the database. The system consists of a Windows-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed with Microsoft Visual Basic, which integrates a SQL Server database, a risk assessment model and a dilution model for produced water contaminants. The database contains most produced water pollutants and their important properties that are required in dispersion and risk assessment modelling. The database also contains current produced water regulations and information on some of the selected existing treatment technologies with typical cost data required in the decision-support system.
Estimation of random errors in respiratory resistance and reactance measured by the forced oscillation technique.

The forced oscillation technique (FOT) allows the measurement of respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) and their associated coherence (gamma2). To avoid unreliable data, it is usual to reject Rrs and Xrs measurements with a gamma2 <0.95. This procedure makes it difficult to obtain acceptable data at the lowest frequencies of interest. The aim of this study was to derive expressions to compute the random error of Rrs and Xrs from gamma2 and the number (N) of data blocks involved in a FOT measurement. To this end, we developed theoretical equations for the variances and covariances of the pressure and flow auto- and cross-spectra used to compute Rrs and Xrs. Random errors of Rrs and Xrs were found to depend on the values of Rrs and Xrs, and to be proportional to ((1-gamma2)/(2 x N x gamma2))1/2. Reliable Rrs and Xrs data can be obtained in measurements with low gamma2 by enlarging the data recording (i.e. N). Therefore, the error equations derived may be useful to extend the frequency band of the forced oscillation technique to frequencies lower than usual, characterized by low coherence.
Looks Aren't Everything: 24-Month-Olds' Willingness to Accept Unexpected Labels

A label can efficiently convey nonobvious information about category membership, but this information can sometimes conflict with one's own expectations. Two studies explored whether 24-month-olds (N = 56) would be willing to accept a category label indicating that an animal (Study 1) or artifact (Study 2) that looked like a member of one familiar category was actually a member of a different familiar category. Results showed that children were receptive to these unexpected labels and used them as the basis for inference. These findings indicate that linguistic information can lead even toddlers to “disbelieve their eyes. ”
Refining Salience and the Position of Antecedent Hypothesis: a Study of Catalan Pronouns

Introduction: This paper presents an experiment that investigates which factors govern the referring preferences of two types of subject pronouns in Catalan: null pronouns, with no phonological content, and overt pronouns, which carry gender and number features. Since it is generally assumed that the more reduced an anaphoric expression is, the more salient its antecedent will be (Ariel, 2001), the results of the experiment also contribute at defining which factors compose salience. The results support a multiple-factor model of salience, in which grammatical as well as pragmatic function play a role.
Pinocchio: Nearly Practical Verifiable Computation

To instill greater confidence in computations outsourced to the cloud, clients should be able to verify the correctness of the results returned. To this end, we introduce Pinocchio, a built system for efficiently verifying general computations while relying only on cryptographic assumptions. With Pinocchio, the client creates a public evaluation key to describe her computation; this setup is proportional to evaluating the computation once. The worker then evaluates the computation on a particular input and uses the evaluation key to produce a proof of correctness. The proof is only 288 bytes, regardless of the computation performed or the size of the inputs and outputs. Anyone can use a public verification key to check the proof. Crucially, our evaluation on seven applications demonstrates that Pinocchio is efficient in practice too. Pinocchio's verification time is typically 10ms: 5-7 orders of magnitude less than previous work; indeed Pinocchio is the first general-purpose system to demonstrate verification cheaper than native execution (for some apps). Pinocchio also reduces the worker's proof effort by an additional 19-60x. As an additional feature, Pinocchio generalizes to zero-knowledge proofs at a negligible cost over the base protocol. Finally, to aid development, Pinocchio provides an end-to-end toolchain that compiles a subset of C into programs that implement the verifiable computation protocol.
Rec-8 dimorphism affects longevity, stress resistance and X-chromosome nondisjunction in C. elegans, and replicative lifespan in S. cerevisiae

A quantitative trait locus (QTL) in the nematode C. elegans, “lsq4,” was recently implicated by mapping longevity genes. QTLs for lifespan and three stress-resistance traits coincided within a span of <300 kbp, later narrowed to <200 kbp. A single gene in this interval is now shown to modulate all lsq4-associated traits. Full-genome analysis of transcript levels indicates that lsq4 contains a dimorphic gene governing the expression of many sperm-specific genes, suggesting an effect on spermatogenesis. Quantitative analysis of allele-specific transcripts encoded within the lsq4 interval revealed significant, 2- to 15-fold expression differences for 10 of 33 genes. Fourteen “dual-candidate” genes, implicated by both position and expression, were tested for RNA-interference effects on QTL-linked traits. In a strain carrying the shorter-lived allele, knockdown of rec-8 (encoding a meiotic cohesin) reduced its transcripts 4-fold, to a level similar to the longer-lived strain, while extending lifespan 25–26%, whether begun before fertilization or at maturity. The short-lived lsq4 allele also conferred sensitivity to oxidative and thermal stresses, and lower male frequency (reflecting X-chromosome non-disjunction), traits reversed uniquely by rec-8 knockdown. A strain bearing the longer-lived lsq4 allele, differing from the short-lived strain at <0.3% of its genome, derived no lifespan or stress-survival benefit from rec-8 knockdown. We consider two possible explanations: high rec-8 expression may include increased “leaky” expression in mitotic cells, leading to deleterious destabilization of somatic genomes; or REC-8 may act entirely in germ-line meiotic cells to reduce aberrations such as non-disjunction, thereby blunting a stress-resistance response mediated by innate immunity. Replicative lifespan was extended 20% in haploid S. cerevisiae (BY4741) by deletion of REC8, orthologous to nematode rec-8, implying that REC8 disruption of mitotic-cell survival is widespread, exemplifying antagonistic pleiotropy (opposing effects on lifespan vs. reproduction), and/or balancing selection wherein genomic disruption increases genetic variation under harsh conditions.
Can Environmental Factors Predispose Noncommunicable Diseases

There is marked increase in our knowledge about the role of the environmental factors in the global dimensions of the noncommunicable diseases (NCD) including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Recent studies indicate that there is coexistence of nutritional deficiencies and appreciable over-nutrition in association with sedentary behavior due to urbani- zation and industrialization. Environmental factors including helio-magnetic fluctuations may result into inflammatory dysfunctions in various biological systems. These dysfunctions can manifest in the form of central obesity and overweight in developing countries as well as in high income countries. The Global Burden of Disease Study clearly showed that the gratifying gains in cardiovascular health occurred in developed countries, in association with an epidemic of CVD in the developing world. Singh et al., proposed, modifying the previous hypothesis, that overweight comes first in conjunction with inflammation, hyperinsulinemia, increased angiotensin activity, vascular variability disorders and central obesity followed by glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, low HDL and hypertriglyceridemia (Metabolic syndrome). This sequence is followed by coronary artery disease(CAD), gall stones and cancers and finally dental caries, gastrointestinal diseases, bone and joint diseases, degenerative diseases of the brain and psychological disorders, during transition from poverty to affluence. It seems that all the NCDs are mediated by inflammation due to interaction of biological systems with environmental factors, including heliomagnetic fluctions. As people become rich, they begin to increase their intake of proinflammatory refined foods; dietary w-6 and trans fat, salt and sugar in the form of ready prepared foods, syrups, dairy products and flesh foods in place of grain and vegetable based diet. There is a greater use of automobiles, television vewing and decrease in sports, walking and dancing as recreation which also enhances the inflammation, dyslipidemia and obesity. These changes in the diet and lifestyle in conjunction with mental strain, and increase in tobacco and alcohol intake as well as heliomagnetic fluctuations, appear to be primary risk factors in the pathogenesis of inflammation and dyslipidemia leading to NCDs.
What's in the genome of a filamentous fungus? Analysis of the Neurospora genome sequence.

The German Neurospora Genome Project has assembled sequences from ordered cosmid and BAC clones of linkage groups II and V of the genome of Neurospora crassa in 13 and 12 contigs, respectively. Including additional sequences located on other linkage groups a total of 12 Mb were subjected to a manual gene extraction and annotation process. The genome comprises a small number of repetitive elements, a low degree of segmental duplications and very few paralogous genes. The analysis of the 3218 identified open reading frames provides a first overview of the protein equipment of a filamentous fungus. Significantly, N.crassa possesses a large variety of metabolic enzymes including a substantial number of enzymes involved in the degradation of complex substrates as well as secondary metabolism. While several of these enzymes are specific for filamentous fungi many are shared exclusively with prokaryotes.
MKT-077, a novel rhodacyanine dye in clinical trials, exhibits anticarcinoma activity in preclinical studies based on selective mitochondrial accumulation.

MKT-077 (formerly known as FJ-776) is a newly synthesized, highly water-soluble ( > 200 mg/ml) rhodacyanine dye that exhibits significant antitumor activity in a variety of model systems. In culture, MKT-077 inhibits the growth of five human cancer cell lines (colon carcinoma CX-1, breast carcinoma MCF-7, pancreatic carcinoma (CRL 1420, bladder transitional cell carcinoma EJ, and melanoma LOX) but not monkey kidney CV-1, an indicator cell line for normal epithelial cells. In nude mice, MKT-077 inhibits the growth of s.c. implanted human renal carcinoma A498 and human prostate carcinoma DU145 and prolongs the survival of mice bearing i.p. implanted human melanoma LOX (tumor:control = 344%). Subcellular localization indicates that MKT-077 is taken up and retained by mitochondria, and flow cytometric analysis suggests that CX-1 cells take up MKT-077 to a much greater extent than CV-1 cells. Quantitation of MKT-077 uptake by ethanol extraction shows that CX-1 cells accumulate 65-fold more MKT-077 than do CV-1 cells. MKT-077 is the first delocalized lipophilic cation with a favorable pharmacological and toxicological profile in preclinical studies. MKT-077 is now being investigated in Phase I clinical trials.
On MIMO Cognitive Radios with Antenna Selection

With the ever increasing interest in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) cognitive radio (CR) systems, reducing the costs associated with RF-chains at the radio front end becomes a very important factor. In this paper, we propose two solutions to the problem of joint transmit-receive antenna selection with the objective of maximizing data rates and satisfying interference constraints at the primary user (PU) receiver. In the first method we approximate the original non-convex optimization problem with an iterative way of solving a series of smaller convex problems. Then we present a novel, norm-based transmit receive antenna selection technique that simultaneously improves throughput while maintaining the PU interference constraints. We show that this simple approach yields near optimal results with massive complexity reductions. In addition to making a performance comparison between the proposed approaches and the optimal exhaustive search approach, we establish that antenna selection is a promising option for future MIMO CR devices.
BLOOD LEAD CONCENTRATION AND WORKING MEMORY ABILITY ON MALAY PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN URBAN AND RURAL AREA, MALACCA

The most lead concentrations in the environment come from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, mining and manufacturing. Once lead enters into environment, it does not break down, but lead compounds were changed by sunlight, air and water. The main target for lead toxicity is nervous system. A child’s mental and physical growth can be affected even at low levels of exposure. Objective of this study was to determine the relationship between blood lead concentration and working memory ability among primary school children in urban and rural area, Melaka. The final number of 111 respondents participates in this study which represents 37 from urban area and 74 from rural area. The biological indicator for lead exposure was blood sample. WMI consist of Digit Span as a subtest which comprise of Digit Span Forward (auditory short-term memory) and Digit Span Backward (auditory working memory). The mean of blood lead concentration for urban children was 6.86±4. 63µg/dL. There was significant difference of blood lead concentration between urban and rural children (t=2.061, p=0.042). Result showed the mean of WMI score for urban children was 82.03±12.55 and rural children the mean score of WMI was 87.30±13.88. There was significant different of WMI score between urban and rural children (t=-2.012, p=0.048). Result showed there was significant inversely correlation of WMI score with blood lead concentration among urban (r=-0.417, p=0.010) and rural (r=-0.369, p=0.001) children, and there was no association of socio-economic variables with WMI score. This study had made the conclusions; there was significant difference of blood lead concentration among urban and rural children. Urban children state high concentration rather than rural children. There was a significant difference of working memory ability among urban and rural children. Urban children showed lower score compared to rural children. There was inversely significant correlation between blood lead concentration and working memory ability among primary school children in urban and rural area, Melaka.
Parts and Relations in Young Children's Shape-Based Object Recognition

The ability to recognize common objects from sparse information about geometric shape emerges during the same period in which children learn object names and object categories. Hummel and Biederman's (1992) theory of object recognition proposes that the geometric shapes of objects have two components—geometric volumes representing major object parts, and the spatial relations among those parts. In the present research, 18- to 30-month-old children's ability to use separate information about object part shapes and part relations to recognize both novel (Experiment 1) and common objects (Experiment 2) was examined. Children succeeded in matching novel objects on part shapes despite differences in part relations but did not match on part relations when there were differences in part shapes. Given known objects, children showed that they did represent the relational structure of those objects. The results support the proposal that children's representations of the geometric structures of objects are built over time and may require exposure to multiple instances of an object category. More broadly, the results suggest that the distinction between object part shape and part relations as two components of object shape similarity is psychologically real and developmentally significant.
Dissecting the Effect of Credit Supply on Trade: Evidence from Matched Credit-Export Data

We estimate the elasticity of exports to credit using matched customs and firm-level bank credit data from Peru. To account for non-credit determinants of exports, we compare changes in exports of the same product and to the same destination by firms borrowing from banks differentially affected by capital-flow reversals during the 2008 financial crisis. We find that credit shocks affect the intensive margin of exports, but have no significant impact on entry or exit of firms to new product and destination markets. Our results suggest that credit shortages reduce exports through raising the variable cost of production, rather than the cost of financing sunk entry investments.
KATARIINA TUOHIMÄKI ELECTROCARDIOGRAM AND IMPEDANCE PNEUMOGRAPHY MEASUREMENT MODULE DESIGN FOR TEXTILE-INTEGRATED SOLUTION

KATARIINA TUOHIMÄKI: Electrocardiogram and Impedance Pneumography Measurement Module Design for Textile-Integrated Solution Tampere University of Technology Master of Science Thesis, 52 pages, 1 Appendix page July 2016 Master’s Degree Programme in Electrical Engineering Major: Biomedical instrumentation Examiners: Assoc. Prof. Matti Mäntysalo, Prof. Jari Viik
Effects of invasive lionfish on benthic fauna in shallow , near-shore environments on Andros Island , The Bahamas

Lionfish is an invasive species to the Caribbean Sea causing a disturbance to native fauna. As a large predator in the Caribbean, this species has effects on local trophic levels. By studying population sizes of smaller prey animals in areas where lionfish population have flourished in comparison to population sizes of small prey animals where lionfish are not present, we can better understand their impacts on native animals. With data collected in 12 different areas on the island, the experiment will show that the population of benthic fauna will increase as the danger of lionfish are removed. The increase of this invasive species has negative implications towards the population of small prey and creates competition for nutrients and food in an already stressed and sensitive ecosystem. The results support research of other group in the Caribbean, in regards to the effects of lionfish; while also adding information to how lionfish affect the near-shore ecosystem of the Bahamas specifically.
Songbird frequency selectivity and temporal resolution vary with sex and season

Many species of songbirds exhibit dramatic seasonal variation in song output. Recent evidence suggests that seasonal changes in auditory processing are coincident with seasonal variation in vocal output. Here, we show, for the first time, that frequency selectivity and temporal resolution of the songbird auditory periphery change seasonally and in a sex-specific manner. Male and female house sparrows (Passer domesticus) did not differ in their frequency sensitivity during the non-breeding season, nor did they differ in their temporal resolution. By contrast, female house sparrows showed enhanced frequency selectivity during the breeding season, which was matched by a concomitant reduction of temporal resolution. However, males failed to show seasonal plasticity in either of these auditory properties. We discuss potential mechanisms generating these seasonal patterns and the implications of sex-specific seasonal changes in auditory processing for vocal communication.
Reduced brain white matter integrity in trichotillomania: a diffusion tensor imaging study.

CONTEXT Trichotillomania is an Axis I disorder characterized by repetitive, pathological hair pulling. OBJECTIVE To assess the integrity of white matter tracts in subjects with the disorder. DESIGN Between-group comparison using permutation cluster analysis, with stringent correction for multiple comparisons. SETTING Academic psychiatry department. PARTICIPANTS Eighteen volunteers meeting DSM-IV criteria for trichotillomania and 19 healthy control subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Fractional anisotropy (measured using diffusion tensor imaging), trichotillomania disease severity (Massachusetts General Hospital Hairpulling Scale score), and dysphoria (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score). RESULTS Subjects with trichotillomania exhibited significantly reduced fractional anisotropy in anterior cingulate, presupplementary motor area, and temporal cortices. Fractional anisotropy did not correlate significantly with trichotillomania disease severity or depressive mood scores. CONCLUSIONS These data implicate disorganization of white matter tracts involved in motor habit generation and suppression, along with affective regulation, in the pathophysiology of trichotillomania.
Travelling-Wave Modelling of Uniform Multi-Conductor Transmission Line Networks-Part II: Experimental Validation-Applicability

In Part I of this work, travelling-wave modelling of uniform multi-conductor transmission line networks was analytically established with direct applicability to narrowband transmission, covering any network formed of lossy (in the general case), diagonalisable uniform multi-conductor transmission lines of either distinct or degenerate eigenvalues. As the whole work applies especially in the fleld of Power-Line Communications, in Part II, a validating experimental paradigm is flrst provided using a common cable type for indoor power electric networks. Then, direct applicability to narrowband transmission is addressed, along with potential expandability towards wideband signalling. A comparative evaluation with other existing methods of time-domain modelling is also included and relevant directions for future research are suggested.
Fractalkine (CX3CL1) Is Involved in the Early Activation of Hypothalamic Inflammation in Experimental Obesity

Hypothalamic inflammation is a common feature of experimental obesity. Dietary fats are important triggers of this process, inducing the activation of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) signaling and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Microglia cells, which are the cellular components of the innate immune system in the brain, are expected to play a role in the early activation of diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation. Here, we use bone marrow transplants to generate mice chimeras that express a functional TLR4 in the entire body except in bone marrow–derived cells or only in bone marrow–derived cells. We show that a functional TLR4 in bone marrow–derived cells is required for the complete expression of the diet-induced obese phenotype and for the perpetuation of inflammation in the hypothalamus. In an obesity-prone mouse strain, the chemokine CX3CL1 (fractalkine) is rapidly induced in the neurons of the hypothalamus after the introduction of a high-fat diet. The inhibition of hypothalamic fractalkine reduces diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation and the recruitment of bone marrow–derived monocytic cells to the hypothalamus; in addition, this inhibition reduces obesity and protects against diet-induced glucose intolerance. Thus, fractalkine is an important player in the early induction of diet-induced hypothalamic inflammation, and its inhibition impairs the induction of the obese and glucose intolerance phenotypes.