Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aspergillus felis sp. nov., an Emerging Agent of Invasive Aspergillosis in Humans, Cats, and Dogs

We describe a novel heterothallic species in Aspergillus section Fumigati, namely A. felis (neosartorya-morph) isolated from three host species with invasive aspergillosis including a human patient with chronic invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, domestic cats with invasive fungal rhinosinusitis and a dog with disseminated invasive aspergillosis. Disease in all host species was often refractory to aggressive antifungal therapeutic regimens. Four other human isolates previously reported as A. viridinutans were identified as A. felis on comparative sequence analysis of the partial β-tubulin and/or calmodulin genes. A. felis is a heterothallic mold with a fully functioning reproductive cycle, as confirmed by mating-type analysis, induction of teleomorphs within 7 to 10 days in vitro and ascospore germination. Phenotypic analyses show that A. felis can be distinguished from the related species A. viridinutans by its ability to grow at 45°C and from A. fumigatus by its inability to grow at 50°C. Itraconazole and voriconazole cross-resistance was common in vitro.
Intracranial arterial wall imaging using high-resolution 3-tesla contrast-enhanced MRI

Background: Conventional arterial imaging focuses on the vessel lumen but lacks specificity because different pathologies produce similar luminal defects. Wall imaging can characterize extracranial arterial pathology, but imaging intracranial walls has been limited by resolution and signal constraints. Higher-field scanners may improve visualization of these smaller vessels. Methods: Three-tesla contrast-enhanced MRI was used to study the intracranial arteries from a consecutive series of patients at a tertiary stroke center. Results: Multiplanar T2-weighted fast spin echo and multiplanar T1 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery precontrast and postcontrast images were acquired in 37 patients with focal neurologic deficits. Clinical diagnoses included atherosclerotic disease (13), CNS inflammatory disease (3), dissections (3), aneurysms (3), moyamoya syndrome (2), cavernous angioma (1), extracranial source of stroke (5), and no definitive clinical diagnosis (7). Twelve of 13 with atherosclerotic disease had focal, eccentric vessel wall enhancement, 10 of whom had enhancement only in the vessel supplying the area of ischemic injury. Two of 3 with inflammatory diseases had diffuse, concentric vessel wall enhancement. Three of 3 with dissection showed bright signal on T1, and 2 had irregular wall enhancement with a flap and dual lumen. Conclusions: Three-tesla contrast-enhanced MRI can be used to study the wall of intracranial blood vessels. T2 and precontrast and postcontrast T1 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images at 3 tesla may be able to differentiate enhancement patterns of intracranial atherosclerotic plaques (eccentric), inflammation (concentric), and other wall pathologies. Prospective studies are required to determine the sensitivity and specificity of arterial wall imaging for distinguishing the range of pathologic conditions affecting cerebral vasculature.
Job crafting for lean engagement: The interplay of day and job-level characteristics

ABSTRACT The quality of working life under the production system known as lean manufacturing (LM) is a heavily debated topic. Little is known about the engagement level of employees under this system. Our study is concerned with how employees in this context craft their jobs to enhance their own engagement, and we specifically consider how daily skill utilization triggers this process. Using a cross-level perspective, we further consider whether job-level characteristics relevant to the lean context, namely task interdependence and boundary control, restrict or facilitate the effects of daily skill utilization. A daily diary study was conducted over 4 working days with 64 employees in a large company utilizing LM. The results of multilevel structural equation modelling demonstrated that on a given day, skill utilization was associated with seeking resources, and this relationship was stronger when employees had high boundary control and low task interdependence in their general job roles. Results further demonstrated that employees experienced higher work engagement on days when they sought resources and challenges. Our findings illustrate the motivational potential of job crafting under LM and how crafting activities can be facilitated by the design of jobs and allocation of daily tasks.
Investigating the impact of learning conditions on young learners’ attitudes and motivation to learn English as a foreign language

This paper investigates young learners’ attitudes towards learning English as a foreign language (EFL) under different learning conditions. It reports on the findings of a quantitative study conducted between two comparable groups of Greek young learners (N=88), following English instruction, while attending Grade 6 in two primary schools with quite distinct approaches to teaching English. The data was collected with the help of a questionnaire, which explored the learners’ attitudes towards the English language and learning English as well as their motivation to learn English. The results illustrate clearly that favourable learning conditions can spur learners’ positive disposition towards the process of language learning at school.
Hardware Realization of Low Complexity Video Encoder within DistributedVideo Coding Framework

Distributed Video Coding is a new solution for video surveillance because of its low complexity of the encoder. This paper introduces Distributed Video Coding theory and traditional DVC framework, and come out a hardware realization on FPGA and gives optimization methods. This paper uses integer transformation instead of DCT to reduce the computational complexity and change the organization of bit-planes to reduce the latency. The results of experiments show that the Wyner-Ziv codec has similar rate-distortion performance to H.264 Intra codec while the temporal complexity of WZ codec is 10 times less than H.264 Intra codec. The hardware usage of WZ encoder is only 1/3 of H.264 encoder and shows the superiority of low complexity of encoder.
Caries Detection Methods Based on Changes in Optical Properties between Healthy and Carious Tissue

A conservative, noninvasive or minimally invasive approach to clinical management of dental caries requires diagnostic techniques capable of detecting and quantifying lesions at an early stage, when progression can be arrested or reversed. Objective evidence of initiation of the disease can be detected in the form of distinct changes in the optical properties of the affected tooth structure. Caries detection methods based on changes in a specific optical property are collectively referred to as optically based methods. This paper presents a simple overview of the feasibility of three such technologies for quantitative or semiquantitative assessment of caries lesions. Two of the techniques are well-established: quantitative light-induced fluorescence, which is used primarily in caries research, and laser-induced fluorescence, a commercially available method used in clinical dental practice. The third technique, based on near-infrared transillumination of dental enamel is in the developmental stages.
CAVITATION BUBBLE BEHAVIOR NEAR SOLID BOUNDARIES

In the present study the bubble behavior in the narrow space are experimentally and numerically examined as the gap between two parallel walls and the position of bubble induction were changed. The main results are as follows. (1) The effects of two parallel walls can be classified by the ratio of the gap between the walls to the maximum bubble radius. If the ratio>5.0 the bubble shape is almost sphere. The wall effect remarkably appears for the ratio<3.0 and the bubble deforms to be dumbbell- or cone-like shape. (2) When the gap between the walls is small, the single bubble is finally divided into two bubbles owing to the large lateral pressure. The rebound of each bubble causes impulsive pressure and damages the upper and lower wall surface. Especially, if the bubble is not created at the center between the walls, the collapse phase shift among the divided bubbles brings the further damage on the wall surface. (3) The computed motion of the bubble without non-condensable gases well explains the dumbbell- or cone-shaped bubble deformation.
The no free lunch theorems: complexity and security

One of the main challenges for decision scientists in the 21st century will be managing systems of ever increasing complexity. As systems like electrical power grids, computer networks, and the software that controls it all grow increasingly complex, fragility, bugs, and security flaws are becoming increasingly prevalent and problematic. It is natural then to ask what consequences this growing complexity has on our ability to manage these systems. In this paper, we take a first step toward addressing this question with the development of the fundamental matrix, a framework for analyzing the broad qualitative nature of decision making. With the fundamental matrix we explain in a qualitative way many theorems and known results about optimization, complexity, and security. The simplicity of the explanations leads to new insights toward potential research directions. Like other "theories" dealing with broad fundamental properties, however, the fundamental matrix has certain limitations that make it largely descriptive. Thus, instead of claiming the last words our goal is to stimulate a dialog and debate that may one day lead to a prescriptive science of complexity.
Deleted in Liver Cancer 1 (DLC1) Negatively Regulates Rho/ROCK/MLC Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Aims Deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1), a member of RhoGTPase activating protein (GAP) family, is known to have suppressive activities in tumorigenicity and cancer metastasis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of how DLC1 suppresses cell motility have not been fully elucidated. Rho-kinase (ROCK) is an immediate down-stream effector of RhoA in mediating cellular cytoskeletal events and cell motility. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of DLC1 on Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methodology/Principal Findings We demonstrated that DLC1 negatively regulated ROCK-dependent actomyosin contractility. From immumofluorescence study, we found that ectopic expression of DLC1 abrogated Rho/ROCK-mediated cytoskeletal reorganization including formation of stress fibers and focal adhesions. It also downregulated cortical phosphorylation of myosin light chain 2 (MLC2). These inhibitory events by DLC1 were RhoGAP-dependent, as RhoGAP-deficient mutant of DLC1 (DLC1 K714E) abolished these inhibitory events. In addition, from western study, DLC1 inhibited ROCK-related myosin light chain phosphatase targeting unit 1 (MYPT1) phosphorylation at Threonine 853. By examining cell morphology under microscope, we found that ectopic expression of dominant-active ROCK released cells from DLC1-induced cytoskeletal collapse and cell shrinkage. Conclusion Our data suggest that DLC1 negatively regulates Rho/ROCK/MLC2. This implicates a ROCK-mediated pathway of DLC1 in suppressing metastasis of HCC cells and enriches our understanding in the molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Tin determination in canned foods

The determination of tin in canned food became very important in the last decades since it gives important information about the contamination process helping to increase canned food quality and safety. The present work describes the validation of tin determination in canned foods by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Linearity domain of the concentration, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), precision (by fidelity, repeatability and reproducibility), accuracy (by recovery tests) have been assessed as performance criteria. The obtained results indicate that the method is efficiently and properly implemented. The uncertainties for each concentration level have been also calculated and are considered as relevant ones for canned foods, drinks and baby food. The validated method was applied for tin concentration analysis in a wide range of canned foods from the local market. In all analysed samples tin concentrations were below the imposed limits, most of them being under the LOD.
O R I G I N a L C O N T R I B U T I O N Open Access

Baby walker injury, disability, and death in a high-income middle eastern country, as reported by siblings Abstract Background: Baby walkers (BWs) are frequent causes of infant injuries. Little research is reported from the Middle East and few population-based studies anywhere. Methods: Using multistage random sampling in a city of the United Arab Emirates, 4 of 8 female Arab government high schools and 3 final-year classes each from science and arts tracks were selected. Structured self-administered questionnaires assessed prevalence, frequency, severity, and external causes of BW incidents and injuries, and residential hazards.
Cytogenetic studies in four cultivated Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae) species

Abstract In the present study, the chromosomes numbers were confirmed, 2n = 34 for Amaranthus cruentus Linnaeus, 1759, and 2n = 32 for Amaranthus hypochondriacus Linnaeus, 1753, Amaranthus mantegazzianus Passer, 1864, and Amaranthus caudatus Linnaeus, 1753. The distribution and variability of constitutive heterochromatin were detailed using DAPI-CMA3 banding technique. The position of the nucleolus organizer region (NOR) was observed using Ag-NOR banding (active loci) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (rDNA-FISH) in the four Amaranthus species. Variations in the amount of constitutive heterochromatin were detected both within the species and between them, with DAPI-CMA3 stain. One chromosome pair having a NOR was found in each studied accession, with exception of Amaranthus caudatus cv. EEA INTA Anguil. This accession presented four rDNA loci (FISH), being active two of them (Ag- banding).
Event reconstruction in high resolution Compton telescopes

The development of germanium Compton telescopes for nuclear γ -ray astrophysics ( MeV) requires new event reconstruction techniques to accurately determine the initial direction and energy of photon events, as well as to consistently reject background events. This paper describes techniques for event reconstruction, accounting for realistic instrument/detector performance and uncertainties. An especially important technique is Compton Kinematic Discrimination, which allows proper interaction ordering and background rejection with high probabilities. The use of these techniques are crucial for the realistic evaluation of the performance and sensitivity of any germanium Compton telescope configuration.
Efficient Numerical Simulation of Axisymmetric Electromagnetic Induction Data using a High-Order Generalized Extended Born Approximation

We develop a High-Order Generalized Extended Born Approximation (HoGEBA) for the numerical simulation of electromagnetic scattering due to rock formations that exhibit axial symmetry around a wellbore. The resulting equations are solved via a numerical procedure that is as efficient as the Extended Born Approximation (EBA). With the acceleration of a fast Fourier transform, the operation count is proportional to ( ) O CN , where N is the total number of spatial discretization cells, and C << N, is a constant that depends on the number of discretization cells in the radial direction. The Ho-GEBA remains accurate in the near-source scattering region and accounts for multiple scattering in the presence of large conductivity contrasts and relatively large frequencies. Numerical exercises conclusively indicate that the accuracy of the HoGEBA is superior to that of the EBA and the first-order Born approximation while maintaining the same level of algorithmic efficiency. These exercises are carried out on a variety of source-receiver configurations and frequencies typical of single-well borehole induction measurements.
Serological Evidence of Influenza A Viruses in Frugivorous Bats from Africa

Bats are likely natural hosts for a range of zoonotic viruses such as Marburg, Ebola, Rabies, as well as for various Corona- and Paramyxoviruses. In 2009/10, researchers discovered RNA of two novel influenza virus subtypes – H17N10 and H18N11 – in Central and South American fruit bats. The identification of bats as possible additional reservoir for influenza A viruses raises questions about the role of this mammalian taxon in influenza A virus ecology and possible public health relevance. As molecular testing can be limited by a short time window in which the virus is present, serological testing provides information about past infections and virus spread in populations after the virus has been cleared. This study aimed at screening available sera from 100 free-ranging, frugivorous bats (Eidolon helvum) sampled in 2009/10 in Ghana, for the presence of antibodies against the complete panel of influenza A haemagglutinin (HA) types ranging from H1 to H18 by means of a protein microarray platform. This technique enables simultaneous serological testing against multiple recombinant HA-types in 5μl of serum. Preliminary results indicate serological evidence against avian influenza subtype H9 in about 30% of the animals screened, with low-level cross-reactivity to phylogenetically closely related subtypes H8 and H12. To our knowledge, this is the first report of serological evidence of influenza A viruses other than H17 and H18 in bats. As avian influenza subtype H9 is associated with human infections, the implications of our findings from a public health context remain to be investigated.
Impact of Alcohol Abuse on the Adaptive Immune System

Alcohol exposure, and particularly chronic heavy drinking, affects all components of the adaptive immune system. Studies both in humans and in animal models determined that chronic alcohol abuse reduces the number of peripheral T cells, disrupts the balance between different T-cell types, influences T-cell activation, impairs T-cell functioning, and promotes T-cell apoptosis. Chronic alcohol exposure also seems to cause loss of peripheral B cells, while simultaneously inducing increased production of immunoglobulins. In particular, the levels of antibodies against liver-specific autoantigens are increased in patients with alcoholic liver disease and may promote alcohol-related liver damage. Finally, chronic alcohol exposure in utero interferes with normal T-cell and B-cell development, which may increase the risk of infections during both childhood and adulthood. Alcohol’s impact on T cells and B cells increases the risk of infections (e.g., pneumonia, HIV infection, hepatitis C virus infection, and tuberculosis), impairs responses to vaccinations against such infections, exacerbates cancer risk, and interferes with delayed-type hypersensitivity. In contrast to these deleterious effects of heavy alcohol exposure, moderate alcohol consumption may have beneficial effects on the adaptive immune system, including improved responses to vaccination and infection. The molecular mechanisms underlying ethanol’s impact on the adaptive immune system remain poorly understood.
Stellar evolution with rotation X. Wolf-Rayet star populations at solar metallicity

We examine the properties of Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars predicted by models of rotating stars taking account of the new mass loss rates for O-type stars and WR stars (Vink et al. 2000, 2001; Nugis & Lamers 2000) and of the wind anisotropies induced by rotation. We ﬁnd that the rotation velocities v of WR stars are modest, i.e. about 50 km s − 1 , not very dependent on the initial v and masses. For the most massive stars, the evolution of v is very strongly inﬂuenced by the values of the mass loss rates; below (cid:24) 12 M (cid:12) the evolution of rotation during the MS phase and later phases is dominated by the internal coupling. Massive stars with extreme rotation may skip the LBV phase. Models having a typical v for the O-type stars have WR lifetimes on the average two times longer than for non-rotating models. The increase of the WR lifetimes is mainly due to that of the H-rich eWNL phase. Rotation allows a transition WN / WC phase to be present for initial masses lower than 60 M (cid:12) . The durations of the other WR subphases are less a (cid:11) ected by rotation. The mass threshold for forming WR stars is lowered from 37 to 22 M (cid:12) for typical rotation. The comparisons of the predicted number ratios WR / O, WN / WC and of the number of transition WN / WC stars show very good agreement with models with rotation, while this is not the case for models with the present-day mass loss rates and no rotation. As to the chemical abundances in WR stars, rotation brings only very small changes for WN stars, since they have equilibrium CNO values. However, WC stars with rotation have on average lower C / He and O / He ratios. The luminosity distribution of WC stars is also inﬂuenced by rotation.
Validation of the Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction With Women in a Same-Sex Relationship

We examined the validity of the interpersonal exchange model of sexual satisfaction for sexual-minority women (SMW) with a range of sexual identities (lesbian, bisexual, queer, unlabeled, questioning). Participants, 898 (192 who were dating, 439 who were cohabitating) SMW in a romantic relationship of at least 3 months, completed an online survey that included the Interpersonal Exchange Model of Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire. The results provide support for the validity of the model for SMW in that all the model components (relationship satisfaction, balance of sexual rewards and costs, balance of relative sexual rewards and costs, equality of rewards, equality of costs) were significantly associated with sexual satisfaction. All of the components, except equality of sexual costs, contributed uniquely to the prediction of sexual satisfaction. Neither relationship stage (dating vs. cohabiting) nor sexual identity (lesbian vs. other sexual-minority identity) moderated these associations. Women daters reported a significantly higher level of sexual rewards, sexual costs, and sexual satisfaction than did women cohabiters. The interpersonal exchange model may be used by clinicians as a framework for exploring experiences of low sexual satisfaction with a couple. The results also add to an emerging positive picture of the sexual relationships of SMW at both stages; this information can be used to counter negative stereotypes. Online supplemental files are available at http://journals.sagepub. com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684316679655 .
Birds of a Convergent Feather: The Interrelationship between Similarity, Conflict and Cross-group Friendship Potential

I examined whether perceptions of intergroup similarity and conflict interact to predict prejudice and facilitation of an intergroup social interaction as a consequence of physiological linkage – a state correlated with successful social interactions wherein two people's autonomic nervous systems synch-up in time. Studies 1 and 2a, revealed an association between similarity, conflict and low prejudice. In Study 2b participants completed essays priming similarity and conflict in order to test the indirect effect of their interaction with participants' physiological reactivity on the success of a dyadic social interaction. Similarity, conflict and physiological reactivity interacted to predict physiological linkage, which in turn moderated the effects of conflict on the success of the social interaction. These results suggest that physiological and social cognitive processes play key roles in determining the important moment when an outgroup stranger becomes a potential friend.