Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of copper on early development: Prenatal and postnatal considerations

Copper (Cu) is an essential nutrient whose requirement is increased during pregnancy and lactation. These represent times of critical growth and development, and the fetus and neonate are particularly vulnerable to deficiencies of this nutrient. Genetic mutations that predispose the offspring to inadequate stores of Cu can be life threatening as is observed in children with Menkes disease. During the last decade, severe Cu deficiency, once thought to be a rare condition, has been reported in the literature at an increasing frequency. Secondary Cu deficiencies can be induced by a variety of ways such as excessive zinc or iron intake, certain drugs, and bariatric surgery. Premature and low birth weight infants can be born with low Cu stores. A number of mechanisms can contribute to the teratogenicity of Cu including decreased activity of select cuproenzymes, increased oxidative stress, decreased nitric oxide availability, altered iron metabolism, abnormal extracellular matrix protein crosslinking, decreased angiogenesis and altered cell signaling among others. The brain, heart, and vessels as well as tissues such as lung, skin and hair, and systems including the skeletal, immune, and blood systems, are negatively affected by suboptimal Cu during development. Additionally, persistent structural, biochemical, and functional adverse effects in the offspring are noted even when Cu supplementation is initiated after birth, supporting the concept that adequate Cu nutriture during pregnancy and lactation is critical for normal development. Although Cu‐containing IUDs are an effective method for increasing intrauterine Cu concentrations and for reducing the risk of pregnancy, high amounts of dietary Cu are not thought to represent a direct developmental risk.
Apnea-Induced Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Disruption Impairs Human Spatial Navigational Memory

Hippocampal electrophysiology and behavioral evidence support a role for sleep in spatial navigational memory, but the role of particular sleep stages is less clear. Although rodent models suggest the importance of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in spatial navigational memory, a similar role for REM sleep has never been examined in humans. We recruited subjects with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who were well treated and adherent with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Restricting CPAP withdrawal to REM through real-time monitoring of the polysomnogram provides a novel way of addressing the role of REM sleep in spatial navigational memory with a physiologically relevant stimulus. Individuals spent two different nights in the laboratory, during which subjects performed timed trials before and after sleep on one of two unique 3D spatial mazes. One night of sleep was normally consolidated with use of therapeutic CPAP throughout, whereas on the other night, CPAP was reduced only in REM sleep, allowing REM OSA to recur. REM disruption via this method caused REM sleep reduction and significantly fragmented any remaining REM sleep without affecting total sleep time, sleep efficiency, or slow-wave sleep. We observed improvements in maze performance after a night of normal sleep that were significantly attenuated after a night of REM disruption without changes in psychomotor vigilance. Furthermore, the improvement in maze completion time significantly positively correlated with the mean REM run duration across both sleep conditions. In conclusion, we demonstrate a novel role for REM sleep in human memory formation and highlight a significant cognitive consequence of OSA.
Case‐control single‐marker and haplotypic association analysis of pedigree data

Related individuals collected for use in linkage studies may be used in case‐control linkage disequilibrium analysis, provided one takes into account correlations between individuals due to identity‐by‐descent (IBD) sharing. We account for these correlations by calculating a weight for each individual. The weights are used in constructing a composite likelihood, which is maximized iteratively to form likelihood ratio tests for single‐marker and haplotypic associations. The method scales well with increasing pedigree size and complexity, and is applicable to both autosomal and X chromosomes. We apply the approach to an analysis of association between type 2 diabetes and single‐nucleotide polymorphism markers in the PPAR‐γ gene. Simulated data are used to check validity of the test and examine power. Analysis of related cases has better power than analysis of population‐based cases because of the increased frequencies of disease‐susceptibility alleles in pedigrees with multiple cases compared to the frequencies of these alleles in population‐based cases. Also, utilizing all cases in a pedigree rather than just one per pedigree improves power by increasing the effective sample size. We demonstrate that our method has power at least as great as that of several competing methods, while offering advantages in the ability to handle missing data and perform haplotypic analysis. Genet. Epidemiol. 28:110–122, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Studies on the survival of homografts of skin and ovarian tissue in rats

The expectation of survival of skin homografts in a strain of albino rats has been compared with that of ovarian homografts made subcutaneously in ovariectomized recipients. It was found that a degree of genetic—and therefore antigenic—difference between donor and host that will lead to the breakdown of skin homografts is only rarely sufficient to affect the continued functional activity of ovarian homografts. Ovarian homografts implanted into ovariectomized recipients which had previously received skin homografts from the same donor failed to survive in nearly all those animals which had reacted vigorously against their skin homografts. It seems, therefore, that the majority of ovarian homografts are themselves incapable of provoking reactions, but are not exempt from the immunity elicited by previous homografts of the donor’s skin. Thus skin and ovary share at least some antigens in common. The most likely reasons why ovarian homografts are more successful than skin homografts are (1) that ovarian tissue is characterized by fewer genetically defined ‘histocompatibility' antigens than skin, and (2) that the ‘histocompatibility’ antigens of ovarian tissue are feeble, being capable of eliciting only a weak immune response, if any.
Indian Muslims in Malaysia: Images of Shifting Identities in the Multi-ethnic State

Abstract Malaysia's multi-ethnic society has inherited colonial categorizations of race in which Malay, Chinese and Indian communities have been construed as homogeneous blocs. This paper traces the shifting identities of Indian Muslims in Malaysia in an attempt to de-construct these racial categories. It argues that Indian Muslims in the country have always moved between resistance and adaptation to these policies, particularly so after the Malaysian state introduced its Malay-centered Bumiputera policies. As race and religion denote racial identity, Indian Muslims have been pressed to side with either Muslim Malays or Hindu Indians for political representation and resource allocation—nevertheless, they have managed to retain certain levels of autonomy. Some of them have explored possibilities of economic autonomy or have joined the emerging networks of Islam and civil society. However, despite Malaysia's efforts to create a “Malaysian race” (bangsa Malaysia), the case of the Indian Muslims demonstrates the long and difficult path ahead towards racial consolidation. ;>
Localization of simultaneous moving sound sources for mobile robot using a frequency- domain steered beamformer approach

Mobile robots in real-life settings would benefit from being able to localize sound sources. Such a capability can nicely complement vision to help localize a person or an interesting event in the environment, and also to provide enhanced processing for other capabilities such as speech recognition. We present a robust sound source localization method in three-dimensional space using an array of 8 microphones. The method is based on a frequency-domain implementation of a steered beamformer along with a probabilistic post-processor. Results show that a mobile robot can localize in real time multiple moving sources of different types over a range of 5 meters with a response time of 200 ms.
On the Existence of Monotone Pure-Strategy Perfect Bayesian Equilibrium in Games with Complementarities

Abstract Many important economic situations, such as auctions and signaling games, can be modeled as dynamic games of incomplete information with strategic complementarities of actions and types. In this paper, we extend the results of Athey (2001) and Reny (2011) from static Bayesian games to dynamic environments with observable actions, providing conditions that guarantee the existence of monotone equilibria in types in such games. A feature that distinguishes this environment from those of previous results is the endogeneity of beliefs, which can complicate continuity of payoffs, needed to find a fixed point. To address this, we perturb the strategies of the game, which pins down beliefs while preserving continuity of payoffs. We then provide conditions which guarantee that there will exist monotone best-replies to monotone strategies of one's opponents in a dynamic environment, enabling verification of existence by merely looking at the primitives of the model.
Control of Brushless Doubly-Fed Reluctance Generators for Wind Energy Conversion Systems

This paper presents the conceptual analysis, comparative simulation, and experimental evaluation of voltage and flux vector-oriented control of a promising low-cost brushless doubly-fed reluctance generator (BDFRG) technology for variable-speed wind turbines with maximum power point tracking. The BDFRG has been receiving increasing attention because of the use of partially rated power electronics and the high reliability of brushless design, while offering performance competitive to its popular slip-ring counterpart, the doubly-fed induction generator. The development and viability of the two parameter-independent controllers have been validated on a custom-made BDFRG prototype using the maximum torque per inverter ampere strategy for the speed and loading conditions commonly encountered in wind power applications.
Trade Costs and the

Trade costs are known to be a major obstacle to international economic integration. Following the approach of New Open Economy Macroeconomics, this paper explores the effects of international trade costs in a micro-founded general equilibrium model that allows for different degrees of exchange rate pass-through. Trade costs are shown to create an endogenous home bias in consumption and the model performs well in matching empirical trade shares for OECD countries. In addition, trade costs reduce cross-country output and consumption correlations and they magnify exchange rate volatility. Trade costs turn a monetary expansion into a beggar-thy-neighbor policy.
Combination of two-channel spectral subtraction and adaptive wiener post-filtering for noise reduction and dereverberation

In this contribution a novel structure for the enhancement of speech signals disturbed by acoustic noise is presented which is based on Spectral Subtraction. The Spectral Subtraction technique is combined with a novel estimator for the noise power spectrum which takes advantage of the employment of a second microphone. Due to the extension to a two-microphone system the Spectral Subtraction can be used to reduce realistic, non-stationary noise sources. Additionally, the performance of the system is further improved by the application of a post filter adapted according to Wiener filter techniques. As a result, the proposed speech enhancement system provides a significant suppression of noise in realistic situations as well as a reduction of room reverberation.
Fishing for answers

Naturally existing genetic variation promotes rapid evolution under strong anthropogenic selection One hallmark of the Anthropocene is a rapid change in the ways our bipedal species affects the wild cohabitants on Earth. Emerging evidence on many fronts suggests that human-induced environmental change can lead to marked evolution on decadal or even shorter time scales. One eye-opening study from 2002 simulated intensive fishing and reported a twofold difference in body weight after just four generations of selectively harvesting either small or large individuals (1). Merely documenting that rapid evolution takes place, however, falls short of deciphering how it occurs at a mechanistic level—a prerequisite for predicting evolution in other cases. On page 487 of this issue, Therkildsen et al. (2) show that genomic changes manifested during the original 2002 experiment partly aligned with variation along a natural gradient in the wild, but that strong selection also quickly eroded genetic variance.
Integration of visual and inertial information for egomotion: a stochastic approach

We present a probabilistic framework for visual correspondence, inertial measurements and egomotion. First, we describe a simple method based on Gabor filters to produce correspondence probability distributions. Next, we generate a noise model for inertial measurements. Probability distributions over the motions are then computed directly from the correspondence distributions and the inertial measurements. We investigate combining the inertial and visual information for a single distribution over the motions. We find that with smaller amounts of correspondence information, fusion of the visual data with the inertial sensor results in much better egomotion estimation. This is essentially because inertial measurements decrease the "translation-rotation" ambiguity. However, when more correspondence information is used, this ambiguity is reduced to such a degree that the inertial measurements provide negligible improvement in accuracy. This suggests that inertial and visual information are more closely integrated in a compositional sense
THE MEASUREMENT AND ANTECEDENTS OF TURNOVER INTENTIONS AMONG IT PROFESSIONALS Par : Guy Paré

The purpose of this study is to present and test an integrated model of turnover intentions that addresses the unique nature of the IT profession. We identified a multidimensional set of HR practices likely to increase retention among IT employees and considered citizenship behaviors as well as two distinct types of organizational commitment as key antecedents of turnover intentions. A questionnaire was developed and sent to the Quebec members of the Canadian Information Processing Society. Data from 394 respondents were used to validate the measures and test our research model. We present and discuss the results and make a series of recommendations for IT and HR executives.
Photon diffractive dissociation in deep-inelastic scattering.

This paper is mainly devoted to the presentation and discussion of formulas for the cross section of photon diffractive dissociation. The calculations which we present in a very detailed way are based on perturbative QCD. We improve formulas which describe this process in the triple Regge limit where the square of the missing mass [ital M][sub [ital X]] (the invariant mass of the bunch of secondary hadrons) is much larger than [vert bar][ital Q][sup 2][vert bar] and extend the range of validity to the region where [ital M][sub [ital X]][sup 2] is of the same order as [vert bar][ital Q][sup 2][vert bar]. We introduce a diffractive dissociation structure function and show that it obeys the Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi evolution equation, but, with an additional inhomogeneous term. The relation to the Pomeron structure function is discussed.
Sociological Orbits for Efficient Routing in Intermittently Connected Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Routing in Intermittently Connected Networks (ICN) is a challenging problem due to the uncertainty and time varying nature of network connectivity. In this work, we focus on a special class of ICN formed by mobile ad hoc users called ICMAN. We first consider a new and practical probabilistic mobility model where the nodes move between a set of "hubs" in a partially repetitive and nondeterministic pattern to form the so-called "sociological orbits". Second, to leverage the sociological orbit based mobility pattern in routing within ICMAN, we propose a series of multi-path Sociological Orbit aware Location Approximation and Routing (SOLAR) protocols. We present theoretical analysis of the mobility model and routing algorithms under consideration, and show that the proposed routing algorithms can outperform other conventional routing approaches in an ICN by taking advantage of the sociological orbit based mobility pattern.
Temperature Prediction in Orthogonal Machining of A1/SiCp Composites

In machining operation the cutting process involves severe plastic deformation in primary and secondary deformation zones. The work done in affecting plastic deformation reappears in the form of heat. The rise in temperature leads to early wear of the tool and dimensional inaccuracy of the finished product. Hence estimation of temperature in machining new materials is essential. A metal matrix composite being a new material it is essential to note the temperature while machining these materials. Hence a turning test on aluminum 6061-based metal-matrix composites (MMCs) (aluminium-30% SiC) was performed with K-20 carbide tool material to asses the temperature which occurs in machining. The experiments were conducted to measure the temperature along the cutting tool edge using thermocouple at various cutting speeds and depth of cuts keeping feed rate constant while turning with K-20 carbide cutting tool. A complex micromechanical process for a normally loaded particulate reinforced metal matrix composite against a tungsten carbide cutting tool has been modeled using FEA. The MMC considered for the present work is made up of Al-6061 aluminum alloy as matrix materials in which SiC particles are uniformly dispersed. The heat generation at the chip tool interface, frictional heat generation at the tool flank and heat generation at the work tool interface were calculated analytically and imposed as boundary conditions. The analysis of steady state heat transfer was carried out and the temperature distribution at cutting edge, shear zone, and interface regions has been reported. Keywords—MMC, FEA, SiC, Thermocouple, Heat
Microbial Contents of Vacuum Cleaner Bag Dust and Emitted Bioaerosols and Their Implications for Human Exposure Indoors

ABSTRACT Vacuum cleaners can release large concentrations of particles, both in their exhaust air and from resuspension of settled dust. However, the size, variability, and microbial diversity of these emissions are unknown, despite evidence to suggest they may contribute to allergic responses and infection transmission indoors. This study aimed to evaluate bioaerosol emission from various vacuum cleaners. We sampled the air in an experimental flow tunnel where vacuum cleaners were run, and their airborne emissions were sampled with closed-face cassettes. Dust samples were also collected from the dust bag. Total bacteria, total archaea, Penicillium/Aspergillus, and total Clostridium cluster 1 were quantified with specific quantitative PCR protocols, and emission rates were calculated. Clostridium botulinum and antibiotic resistance genes were detected in each sample using endpoint PCR. Bacterial diversity was also analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), image analysis, and band sequencing. We demonstrated that emission of bacteria and molds (Penicillium/Aspergillus) can reach values as high as 1E5 cell equivalents/min and that those emissions are not related to each other. The bag dust bacterial and mold content was also consistent across the vacuums we assessed, reaching up to 1E7 bacterial or mold cell equivalents/g. Antibiotic resistance genes were detected in several samples. No archaea or C. botulinum was detected in any air samples. Diversity analyses showed that most bacteria are from human sources, in keeping with other recent results. These results highlight the potential capability of vacuum cleaners to disseminate appreciable quantities of molds and human-associated bacteria indoors and their role as a source of exposure to bioaerosols.
α2-Chimaerin Regulates a Key Axon Guidance Transition during Development of the Oculomotor Projection

The ocular motor system consists of three nerves which innervate six muscles to control eye movements. In humans, defective development of this system leads to eye movement disorders, such as Duane Retraction Syndrome, which can result from mutations in the α2-chimaerin signaling molecule. We have used the zebrafish to model the role of α2-chimaerin during development of the ocular motor system. We first mapped ocular motor spatiotemporal development, which occurs between 24 and 72 h postfertilization (hpf), with the oculomotor nerve following an invariant sequence of growth and branching to its muscle targets. We identified 52 hpf as a key axon guidance “transition,” when oculomotor axons reach the orbit and select their muscle targets. Live imaging and quantitation showed that, at 52 hpf, axons undergo a switch in behavior, with striking changes in the dynamics of filopodia. We tested the role of α2-chimaerin in this guidance process and found that axons expressing gain-of-function α2-chimaerin isoforms failed to undergo the 52 hpf transition in filopodial dynamics, leading to axon stalling. α2-chimaerin loss of function led to ecotopic and misguided branching and hypoplasia of oculomotor axons; embryos had defective eye movements as measured by the optokinetic reflex. Manipulation of chimaerin signaling in oculomotor neurons in vitro led to changes in microtubule stability. These findings demonstrate that a correct level of α2-chimaerin signaling is required for key oculomotor axon guidance decisions, and provide a zebrafish model for Duane Retraction Syndrome.
A Profile of Familial Relations among Three-Generation Black Families.

This profile of demographic structure and family relationships among a national sample of three-generation black American families revealed important variation across generations in several key demographic (e.g., age, gender, marital status, socioeconomic status, and region) and family (eg., affection and support) factors. The findings are discussed in relation to current demographic trends affecting the generational age structure of American families and the implications of these changes for practice with multigeneration families.
‘Thank god, I'm back!’: (Re)defining the nation as a homely place in relation to journeys abroad

Growing individual mobility has been a key element in the re-evaluation of the links between (national) place and identity in what has been labelled a'borderless world'. In this paper, an alternative perspective is provided by exploring the ways in which discussions around travel are used to redefine the nation as a bounded, familiar and homely place. In the first section, a number of key themes in the wider literature on ‘home’ are identified and applied to the nation, notably the idea that ‘homely spaces’ are imagined and experienced in relation to journeys elsewhere. This idea is then evidenced by a range of empirical data, which shows how individuals are often made aware of their own national identity and allegiances, when negotiating encounters with other people and cultural forms. In discussing the discomfort and uncertainty they experience in ‘foreign’ locales, the national home is defined as a secure base from which to proceed and, most importantly, to return. Interestingly, these types of views were expressed by a range of social actors, ranging from college students, who travelled widely and with great enthusiasm, to retired people, who were increasingly restricted in their ability to visit foreign locales.