Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Receptor Model Source Apportionment of Nonmethane Hydrocarbons in Mexico City

With the purpose of estimating the source contributions of nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC) to the atmosphere at three different sites in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area, 92 ambient air samples were measured from February 23 to March 22 of 1997. Light- and heavy-duty vehicular profiles were determined to differentiate the NMHC contribution of diesel and gasoline to the atmosphere. Food cooking source profiles were also determined for chemical mass balance receptor model application. Initial source contribution estimates were carried out to determine the adequate combination of source profiles and fitting species. Ambient samples of NMHC were apportioned to motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapor, handling and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas), asphalt operations, painting operations, landfills, and food cooking. Both gasoline and diesel motor vehicle exhaust were the major NMHC contributors for all sites and times, with a percentage of up to 75%. The average motor vehicle exhaust contributions increased during the day. In contrast, LP gas contribution was higher during the morning than in the afternoon. Apportionment for the most abundant individual NMHC showed that the vehicular source is the major contributor to acetylene, ethylene, pentanes, n-hexane, toluene, and xylenes, while handling and distribution of LP gas was the major source contributor to propane and butanes. Comparison between CMB estimates of NMHC and the emission inventory showed a good agreement for vehicles, handling and distribution of LP gas, and painting operations; nevertheless, emissions from diesel exhaust and asphalt operations showed differences, and the results suggest that these emissions could be underestimated.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CHROMOSOMAL VARIANTS

Closely related species frequently differ by some chromosomal change such as a difference in chromosomal number, an inversion, or a translocation, although it is not clear whether this change is a cause of speciation or coincidental with other genetic change. For example, Wright (1940) and Bush et al. (1977) suggested that both speciation and chromosomal evolution are enhanced by small effective population size (see also Bengtsson, 1980). In any case, it seems the genetic changes which occur during speciation may take many forms with the primary prerequisite being that they cause reproductive isolation between the new species and its ancestor. White (1978) and others have advocated that chromosomal changes may provide a barrier between a new population and its ancestral one because chromosomal hybrids generally have reduced fertility due to segregation abnormalities in meiosis. A problem arises, however, as discussed by Wright (1941) and by Bengtsson and Bodmer (1976) in that the probability of fixation of a new chromosomal type, given lowered heterokaryotic fertility, is generally very small. When there is a heterokaryotic disadvantage and the frequency of the new chromosomal type is below the unstable equilibrium generated by such a fitness array, selection will reduce its frequency further and lead to the elimination of the new variant. As a result, there appears to be a basic paradox: there are generally chromosomal changes associated with speciation but there is no genetic model which permits the establishment of these new chromosomal types in a popu-
Enhancement of Bilateral Cortical Somatosensory Evoked Potentials to Intact Forelimb Stimulation Following Thoracic Contusion Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

The adult central nervous system is capable of significant reorganization and adaptation following neurotrauma. After a thoracic contusive spinal cord injury (SCI) neuropathways that innervate the cord below the epicenter of injury are damaged, with minimal prospects for functional recovery. In contrast, pathways above the site of injury remain intact and may undergo adaptive changes in response to injury. We used cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) to evaluate changes in intact forelimb pathways. Rats received a midline contusion SCI, unilateral contusion SCI, or laminectomy with no contusion at the T8 level and were monitored for 28 days post-injury. In the midline injury group, SSEPs recorded from the contralateral forelimb region of the primary somatosensory cortex were 59.7% (CI 34.7%, 84.8%; c2 = 21.9; dof = 1; p = 2.9 ×10-6) greater than the laminectomy group; SSEPs from the ipsilateral somatosensory cortex were 47.6% (CI 18.3%, 77%; c2 = 10.1; dof = 1; p = 0.001) greater. Activation of the ipsilateral somatosensory cortex was further supported by BOLD-fMRI, which showed increased oxygenation at the ipsilateral hemisphere at day seven post-injury. In the unilateral injury group, ipsilesional side was compared to the contralesional side. SSEPs on day 14 (148%; CI 111%, 185%) and day 21 (137%; CI 110%, 163%) for ipsilesional forelimb stimulation were significantly increased over baseline (100%). SSEPs recorded from the hindlimb sensory cortex upon ipsilesional stimulation were 33.9% (CI 14.3%, 53.4%; c2 = 11.6; dof = 1; p = 0.0007) greater than contralesional stimulation. Therefore, these results demonstrate the ability of SSEPs to detect significant enhancements in the activation of forelimb sensory pathways following both midline and unilateral contusive SCI at T8. Reorganization of forelimb pathways may occur after thoracic SCI, which SSEPs can monitor to aid the development of future therapies.
Constitutive Model for a Confined Concrete Cylinder with an Unbonded External Steel Jacket

Early investigations focused mainly on manipulating the confinement effect to develop a reinforced concrete column with lateral hoops. Based on this legacy model, Li’s model incorporated the additional confinement effect of a steel jacket. However, recent experiments on plain concrete cylinders with steel jackets revealed relatively large discrepancies in the estimates of strength enhancement and the post-peak behavior. Here, we describe a modified constitutive law for confined concrete with an unbonded external steel jacket in terms of three regions for the loading stage. We used a two-phase heterogeneous concrete model to simulate the uniaxial compression test of a 150 mm × 300 mm concrete cylinder with three thicknesses of steel jackets: 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2.0 mm. The proposed constitutive model was verified by a series of finite element analyses using a finite element program. The damaged plasticity model and extended Drucker-Prager model were applied and compared in terms of the level of pressure sensitivity for confinement in 3D. The proposed model yielded results that were in close agreement with the experimental results
Prospective multi-centre randomised trial comparing induction of labour with a double-balloon catheter versus dinoprostone

This randomised controlled study compared the efficacy of double-balloon catheter versus vaginal prostaglandin E2 (dinoprostone) for induction of labour. In total, 825 pregnant women with cephalic presentation and an unfavourable cervix undergoing induction for conventional indications were randomised to double-balloon or vaginal dinoprostone (3 mg) groups. There was a significantly higher failure rate for labour induction in the balloon group (relative risk: 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.49). Median induction time was 27.3 h in the balloon group and 29.8 h in the dinoprostone group (difference not significant). After 24 h, 55.3% had given birth in the balloon group versus 54.3% in the dinoprostone group. Additional oxytocin stimulation was used more often in the balloon (46%) compared with that in the dinoprostone (34%) (relative risk: 1.34 (95%CI 1.16 –1.54) group. Caesarean section rates and neonatal outcome were similar. Overall, the two methods for induction were comparable with regard to efficacy and safety.
DÖRT FARKLI FLUORİD SALINIMI YAPAN RESTORATİF MATERYALDEN FLUORİD EMİLİMİNİN SIĞIR MİNESİNDE DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ: İN VİTRO ÇALIŞMA

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the fluoride uptake from four different of fluoride releasing restorative materials by bovine enamel and to determine the effect of time on this uptake. Material and Method: A glass ionomer cement (Fuji II), resin-modified glass ionomer cement(Fuji II LC), giomer (Beautifil) and compomer (Dyract AP) were elected. A total of 120 bovine enamel slabs were prepared from the buccal surfaces of the bovine teeth. The slabs were divided into 5 subgroups (n=6) representing 5 time intervals (1, 7, 14, 21 and 35 days). Fluoride-ion selective electrode method was used to determine the enamel fluoride uptake was determined. Results: Glass ionomers and giomer had significantly higher fluoride uptake than compomer (p<0.05). Glass ionomers and giomer had similar fluoride uptake in all test intervals. Conclusion: Considering the enhanced physical properties and long-term fluoride release similar to glass ionomers, giomers are found to be promising. Keywords: Giomer, glass ionomer, fluoride uptake, fluoride-ion selective electrode
Finite conductivity effects and apparent contact angle saturation in AC electrowetting

We measured the electrowetting behavior of aqueous salt solutions. By varying the conductivity and the frequency of the applied AC voltage we determined the range of the validity perfect conductor assumption of the standard electrowetting theory for the case of AC voltage. We show that the contact angle reduction is dramatically reduced at high frequency and low salt concentration due to Ohmic losses with the liquid. A simple RC-equivalent circuit model explains the observations. It is demonstrated that finite conductivity effects are more pronounced for sessile droplets than for droplets confined between to parallel plates.
Comparison of the long-term effectiveness of progressive neuromuscular facilitation and continuous passive motion therapies after total knee arthroplasty

[Purpose] The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the long term functional effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) after total knee arthroplasty. [Subjects and Methods] We included 30 patients and they were randomly assigned to two groups. In addition to the standard rehabilitation program the PNF group received proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy and the CPM group received continuous passive motion therapy. The outcome measures included range of motion using a goniometer, pain scores using a numeric pain rating scale, days to reach functional benchmarks, the Beck depression scale and isokinetic torque and isometric strength measurements. [Results] There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of baseline demographic data, clinical findings and length of stay. Days to reach range of motion benchmarks were similar in the two groups. Pain at the 8th week was slightly higher in the PNF group. With the exception of walking with a walker, days to reach functional benchmarks were statistically significantly fewer in patients of the PNF group despite similar isokinetic measurements. Administration of PNF resulted in earlier functional gains in patients after total knee arthroplasty. These functional accomplishments were more pronounced in the PNF group despite it having isokinetic torque measurements similar to those of the CPM group. [Conclusion] PNF techniques can positively affect functional outcomes over the long term.
Prevalence of Risk Factors of Non-communicable Diseases in a District of Gujarat, India

The study attempted to identify the prevalence and distribution of risk factors of non-communicable diseases among urban and rural population in Gujarat, India. Using the WHO stepwise approach, a cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,805 urban and 1,684 rural people of 15-64 years age-group. Information on behavioural and physiological risk factors of non-communicable diseases was obtained through standardized protocol. High prevalence of smoking (22.8%) and the use of smokeless tobacco (43.4%) were observed among rural men compared to urban men (smoking-12.8% and smokeless tobacco consumption-23.1%). There was a significant difference in the average consumption of fruits and vegetables between urban (2.18±1.59 servings) and rural (1.78±1.48 servings) area. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed to be high among urban men and women in all age-groups compared to rural men and women. Prevalence of behavioural risk factors, overweight, and obesity increased with age in both the areas. Twenty-nine percent of the urban residents and 15.4% of the rural residents were found to have raised blood pressure, and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). For both men and women, the prevalence of overweight and obesity, hypertension, and lack of physical activities were significantly higher in the urban population while smoking, smokeless tobacco consumption, poor consumption of fruits and vegetables were more prevalent in the rural population. The results highlight the need for interventions and approaches for the prevention of risk factors of non-communicable diseases in rural and urban areas.
Challenges to Adopting Stronger Consistency at Scale

There have been many recent advances in distributed systems that provide stronger semantics for geo-replicated data stores like those underlying Facebook. These research systems provide a range of consistency models and transactional abilities while demonstrating good performance and scalability on experimental workloads. At Facebook we are excited by these lines of research, but fundamental and operational challenges currently make it infeasible to incorporate these advances into deployed systems. This paper describes some of these challenges with the hope that future advances will address them.
The Cerebral Microvasculature in Schizophrenia: A Laser Capture Microdissection Study

BACKGROUND Previous studies of brain and peripheral tissues in schizophrenia patients have indicated impaired energy supply to the brain. A number of studies have also demonstrated dysfunction of the microvasculature in schizophrenia patients. Together these findings are consistent with a hypothesis of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in schizophrenia. In this study, we have investigated the cerebral vascular endothelium of schizophrenia patients at the level of transcriptomics. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We used laser capture microdissection to isolate both microvascular endothelial cells and neurons from post mortem brain tissue from schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. RNA was isolated from these cell populations, amplified, and analysed using two independent microarray platforms, Affymetrix HG133plus2.0 GeneChips and CodeLink Whole Human Genome arrays. In the first instance, we used the dataset to compare the neuronal and endothelial data, in order to demonstrate that the predicted differences between cell types could be detected using this methodology. We then compared neuronal and endothelial data separately between schizophrenic subjects and controls. Analysis of the endothelial samples showed differences in gene expression between schizophrenics and controls which were reproducible in a second microarray platform. Functional profiling revealed that these changes were primarily found in genes relating to inflammatory processes. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study provides preliminary evidence of molecular alterations of the cerebral microvasculature in schizophrenia patients, suggestive of a hypo-inflammatory state in this tissue type. Further investigation of the blood-brain barrier in schizophrenia is warranted.
Anthropometric Characteristics, Physical Fitness and Technical Performance of Under-19 Soccer Players by Competitive Level and Field Position

Abstract Anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and technical skills of under-19 (U19) soccer players were compared by competitive level (elite, n=95; non-elite, n=85) and playing position (goalkeeper, central defender, fullback, midfield, forward). Fitness tests included 5- and 30-m sprints, agility, squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ), strength and Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test level 2 (Yo-Yo IE2). Soccer-specific skills included ball control and dribbling. Independent of position, elite players presented more hours of training per year than non-elite players (d>1.2). Stature and body mass discriminated elite from non-elite players among goalkeepers and central defenders (d>0.6). Major differences were noted between elite and non-elite goalkeepers for SJ, CMJ, Yo-Yo IE2, and ball control (d>1.2). Elite central defenders performed better than their non-elite counterparts in SJ and ball control tests (d>1.2). Elite players presented better agility and Yo-Yo IE2 performances than non-elite players within all positional roles (d>0.6). In conclusion, U19 players differed in anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and technical skills by competitive level within field positions.
The determination of the rotation period and magnetic field geometry of the strongly magnetic roAp star HD 154708

We obtained 13 spectropolarimetric observations of the strongly magnetic rapidly oscillating Ap star HD 154708 over 3 months with the multimode instrument FORS 1, installed at the 8-m Kueyen telescope of the Very Large Telescope. These observations have been used for the determination of the rotation period of P = 5.3666 +/- 0.0007 d. Using stellar fundamental parameters and the longitudinal magnetic field phase curve, we briefly discuss the magnetic field geometry. The star is observed nearly pole-on and the magnetic field geometry can be described by a centred dipole with a surface polar magnetic field strength B-d between 26.1 and 28.8 kG and an inclination of the magnetic axis to the rotation axis in the range 22 degrees.5 to 35 degrees.5.
Lamé polynomials, hyperelliptic reductions and Lamé band structure

The band structure of the Lamé equation, viewed as a one-dimensional Schrödinger equation with a periodic potential, is studied. At integer values of the degree parameter ℓ, the dispersion relation is reduced to the ℓ=1 dispersion relation, and a previously published ℓ=2 dispersion relation is shown to be partly incorrect. The Hermite–Krichever Ansatz, which expresses Lamé equation solutions in terms of ℓ=1 solutions, is the chief tool. It is based on a projection from a genus-ℓ hyperelliptic curve, which parametrizes solutions, to an elliptic curve. A general formula for this covering is derived, and is used to reduce certain hyperelliptic integrals to elliptic ones. Degeneracies between band edges, which can occur if the Lamé equation parameters take complex values, are investigated. If the Lamé equation is viewed as a differential equation on an elliptic curve, a formula is conjectured for the number of points in elliptic moduli space (elliptic curve parameter space) at which degeneracies occur. Tables of spectral polynomials and Lamé polynomials, i.e. band-edge solutions, are given. A table in the earlier literature is corrected.
Starfish: A Self-tuning System for Big Data Analytics

Timely and cost-effective analytics over “Big Data” is now a key ingredient for success in many businesses, scientific and engineering disciplines, and government endeavors. The Hadoop software stack—which consists of an extensible MapReduce execution engine, pluggable distributed storage engines, and a range of procedural to declarative interfaces—is a popular choice for big data analytics. Most practitioners of big data analytics—like computational scientists, systems researchers, and business analysts—lack the expertise to tune the system to get good performance. Unfortunately, Hadoop’s performance out of the box leaves much to be desired, leading to suboptimal use of resources, time, and money (in payas-you-go clouds). We introduce Starfish, a self-tuning system for big data analytics. Starfish builds on Hadoop while adapting to user needs and system workloads to provide good performance automatically, without any need for users to understand and manipulate the many tuning knobs in Hadoop. While Starfish’s system architecture is guided by work on self-tuning database systems, we discuss how new analysis practices over big data pose new challenges; leading us to different design choices in Starfish.
Natural killing and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity are independent immune functions in the Minnesota miniature swine.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from Minnesota miniature pigs were tested for natural killing (NK) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in a 2- to 4-hr 51Cr release assay against human myeloid and lymphoid tumor target cells. Adult specific pathogen-free and germfree animals exhibited normal levels of activity in both assays. In addition, the NK and ADCC activities of peripheral blood lymphocytes from colostrum-deprived newborn piglets were examined. These animals were obtained by hysterectomy and previously shown to be immunologically "virgin. " We found that these newborn piglets exhibited normal ADCC but lacked NK activity. The differences in the ontogeny of the two activities suggest that they are distinct. Preliminary effector cell characterization studies suggest that: (i) NK and ADCC in the pig are physically not separable; (ii) the majority of the cytotoxic activity on a cell-per-cell basis is mediated by the non-T lymphocyte fraction; and (iii) the rosetted T cells, which account for about 60% of the total pig peripheral blood lymphocytes, have low but demonstrable cytotoxic activity as well.
The urinary excretion of homovanillic acid and 4-hydroxy 3-methoxy mandelic acid in the elderly demented: a preliminary communication.

The urinary excretion of HVA has been found to be decreased in a group of demented patients compared with that in a mentally-alert group. VMA excretion was similar in both groups. The possibility of treatment of certain cases of dementia with L-Dopa is discussed. A further larger study is planned.
A new multiparameter approach to computational simulation for Fontan assessment and redesign.

INTRODUCTION Despite an abundance of prior Fontan simulation articles, there have been relatively few clinical advances that are a direct result of computational methods. We address a few key limitations of previous Fontan simulations as a step towards increasing clinical relevance. Previous simulations have been limited in scope because they have primarily focused on a single energy loss parameter. We present a multi-parameter approach to Fontan modeling that establishes a platform for clinical decision making and comprehensive evaluation of proposed interventions. METHODS Time-dependent, 3-D blood flow simulations were performed on six patient-specific Fontan models. Key modeling advances include detailed pulmonary anatomy, catheterization-derived pressures, and MRI-derived flow with respiration. The following performance parameters were used to rank patients at rest and simulated exercise from best to worst performing: energy efficiency, inferior and superior vena cava (IVC, SVC) pressures, wall shear stress, and IVC flow distribution. RESULTS Simulated pressures were well matched to catheterization data, but low Fontan pressure did not correlate with high efficiency. Efficiency varied from 74% to 96% at rest, and from 63% to 91% with exercise. Distribution of IVC flow ranged from 88%/12% (LPA/RPA) to 53%/47%. A "transcatheter" virtual intervention demonstrates the utility of computation in evaluating interventional strategies, and is shown to result in increased energy efficiency. CONCLUSIONS A multiparameter approach demonstrates that each parameter results in a different ranking of Fontan performance. Ranking patients using energy efficiency does not correlate with the ranking using other parameters of presumed clinical importance. As such, current simulation methods that evaluate energy dissipation alone are not sufficient for a comprehensive evaluation of new Fontan designs.