Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combustion characteristics of refuse derived fuel (RDF)in a fluidized bed combustor

The combustion characteristics of refuse derived fuel (RDF) in a fluidized bed have been studied. The gross heating value (GHV) of the RDF was 14.43 MJ/kg with moisture content of 25% by weight. Parameters of interest for sustainable bed combustion were the fluidization number and primary air factor. The study was performed in a rectangular fluidized bed combustor with dimensions of 0.3 m in width, 0.7 m in length and 2 m in height. Sand with mean particle size of 0.34 mm was used as a fluidization medium. The sand bed height was at 0.3 m above the standpipes air distributor. The range of fluidization number under investigation was 5-7 U-mf in which 5 U-mf was found to be the optimum. The study was continued for the determination of the optimum primary air factor with the selected range of primary air factors being 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 1.2 in experiments conducted at 5 U-mf. The final results showed that the optimum primary air factor was at 0.8. An energy balance was also performed to determine the thermal efficiency of the combustion. It was concluded that the thermal efficiency depended on the bed temperature and the primary air factor being used.
Length of stay of COPD hospital admissions between 2006 and 2010: a retrospective longitudinal study

Background Hospitalizations for COPD are associated with poor patient prognosis. Length of stay (LOS) of COPD admissions in a large urban area and patient and hospital factors associated with it are described. Methods Retrospective longitudinal study. All COPD patients registered with London general practitioners and admitted as an emergency with COPD (2006–2010), not having been admitted with COPD in the preceding 12 months were included. Association of patient and hospital characteristics with mean LOS of COPD admissions was assessed. Association between hospital and LOS was determined by negative binomial regression. Results The total number of admissions was 38,504, from 22,462 patients. The mean LOS for first admissions fell by 0.8 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7–1.5) from 8.2 to 7.0 days between 2006 and 2010. Seventy-nine percent of first admissions were ≤10 days, with a mean LOS of 3.7 days (2009–2010). The mean LOS of successive COPD admissions of the same patients was the same or less throughout the study period. The interval between successive admissions fell from a mean of 357 days between the first and second admission to a mean of 19 days after eight admissions. Age accounted for 2.3% of the variance in LOS. Socioeconomic deprivation did not predict LOS. Fewer discharges happened at the weekend (1,893/day) than on weekdays (5,218/day). The mean LOS varied between hospitals, from 4.9 days (95% CI: 3.8–5.9) to 9.5 days (95% CI: 8.6–10.3) when adjusting for clustering, age, sex, and socioeconomic deprivation. Conclusion The fall in LOS of the first COPD admission between 2006 and 2010 reflects international trends. The stability of LOS in successive admissions suggests that increasing severity of disease does not affect recovery time from an exacerbation. Variations between hospitals of nearly 5 days in LOS for COPD admissions suggests that significant improvements in patient outcomes and in savings in health care utilization could be made in hospitals with longer LOS.
On the Notion of Responsibility in Organizations

We derive a natural definition of responsibility in a formal model where employees care for their career prospects: A superior holds a subordinate responsible for a task, when she announces her beliefs that this subordinate contributes most to this task. We show, that those announced beliefs lead to a self fulfilling prophecy as the reputation of the responsible subordinate then is affected by the outcome of the task and he therefore has strong incentives to contribute to its success. There are equilibria where either a single agent or no agent is responsible for a task but joint responsibility never arises. Several extensions are discussed.
The Staphylococcus aureus "superbug".

There has been some debate about the disease-invoking potential of Staphylococcus aureus strains and whether invasive disease is associated with particularly virulent genotypes, or "superbugs. " A study in this issue of the JCI describes the genotyping of a large collection of nonclinical, commensal S. aureus strains from healthy individuals in a Dutch population. Extensive study of their genetic relatedness by amplified restriction fragment typing and comparison with strains that are associated with different types of infections revealed that the S. aureus population is clonal and that some strains have enhanced virulence. This is discussed in the context of growing interest in the mechanisms of bacterial colonization, antibiotic resistance, and novel vaccines.
Mycological study for a management plan of a neotropical show cave (Brazil)

Caves are stable environments with characteristics favoring the development of microorganisms. The allocthonous input of organic matter and microbes into the warm Neotropical caves may favor the development of filamentous fungi, including pathogenic species. Histoplasma capsulatum is a pathogenic species commonly found in caves and associated with bat and bird guano. Many Brazilian caves have been historically visited due to scenic and religious tourism. The objective of this study was to perform a microbiology study for a management plan of a show cave in Brazil, focusing on the presence and distribution of pathogenic and opportunistic fungi in the cave. Statistic analysis was used to verify the influence of touristic activity on airborne fungi spore load. Fungi were isolated from air and guano in Lapa Nova Cave. Samples were obtained through serial dilution, direct and settle plate techniques. For H. capsulatum, samples were incubated in specific media and conditions. Airborne fungal spore load was compared prior and during visitation and statistically analyzed. A total of 2,575 isolates from the genera Aspergillus, Calcarisporium, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Emericella, Eurotium, Fusarium, Geotrichum, Gliocladium, Mucor, Purpureocillium, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Rhizopus and Trichoderma were identified. Histoplasma capsulatum was not isolated from the cave. Eleven opportunistic species were identified. Significant (p<0.05) variations on fungal richness in the air occurred due to cave visitation. Areas of potential microbiologic risks were indicated and management actions suggested. The results suggest a diverse community inhabiting the cave. Possible opportunistic species should be monitored in show caves and microbiota should always be included in the elaboration of cave management plans. This is the first detailed microbiologic study for a management plan of a show cave in the country. It provides relevant information for future management plans. cave; pathogenic fungi; microbiology; management plan; cave tourism
Timing of fire relative to seed development controls availability of non-serotinous aerial seed banks

The existence of non-serotinous, non-sprouting species in fire regimes where serotiny confers ~n adaptive advantage is puzzling, particularly when these species recruit poorly from soil seed banks or from burn edges. In this paper, white spruce (Picea 5 glauca (Moench) Voss) was used to show that the timing of fire relative to seed develop­ ment can control aerial seed bank availability for non-serotinous species. To estimate seed survival in closed cones during crown fires, cone heating was simulated using a one-dimensional conduction model implemented in a computational fluid dynamics (Navier-Stokes) fire spread model. To quantify the area burned when germinable seed 10 would be contained in closed cones, empirical fire occurrence and seed development (germinability and cone opening) data were compared for multiple locations across the white spruce range. Approximately 12% of cones contained viable seed following crown fire simulations (0.072 ms- 1 mean spread rate; 9147 kWm- 1 mean intensity), and roughly half of the historical area burned resulted from fires that occurred when 15 closed cones would contain germinable seed. Post-fire recruitment from in situ aerial seed banks can occur for non-serotinous species, and may be an important cause of their existence in fire regimes to which they otherwise seem poorly suited.
Classification of breast tissue density by optical transillumination spectroscopy: optical and physiological effects governing predictive value

Preventive oncology is in need of a risk assessment technique that can identify individuals at high risk for breast cancer and that has the ability to monitor the efficacy of a risk reducing intervention. Optical transillumination spectroscopy (OTS) was shown to give information about breast tissue composition and tissue density. OTS is non-invasive, and in contrast to mammography, uses non-ionizing radiation. It is safe and can be used frequently on younger women, potentially permitting early risk detection and thus increasing the time available for risk reduction interventions to assert their influence. Before OTS can be used as a risk assessment and/or monitoring technique, its predictive ability needs to be demonstrated and maximized through the construction of mathematical models relating OTS and risk. To establish a correlation between OTS and mammographic density, Principle Components Analysis (PCA), using risk classification, is employed. PCA scores are presented in 3D cluster plots and a plane of differentiation that separates high and low tissue density is used to calculate the predictive value. Stratificaiton of PCA for measurement position on the breast in cranial-caudal projection is introduced. Analysis of PCA scores as a function of the volunteer's age and body mass index (BMI) is examined. A small but significant correlation between the component scores and age or BMI is noted but the correlation is dependnet on the tissue density category examined. Correction of the component scores for age and BMI is not recommended, since a priori knowledge of a women's tissue density is required. Stratification for the center and distal measurement positions provides a predictive value for OTS above 96%.
Camtracker: a new camera controlled high precision solar tracker system for FTIR-spectrometers

Abstract. A new system to very precisely couple radiation of a moving source into a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer is presented. The Camtracker consists of a homemade altazimuthal solar tracker, a digital camera and a homemade program to process the camera data and to control the motion of the tracker. The key idea is to evaluate the image of the radiation source on the entrance field stop of the spectrometer. We prove that the system reaches tracking accuracies of about 10 arc s for a ground-based solar absorption FTIR spectrometer, which is significantly better than current solar trackers. Moreover, due to the incorporation of a camera, the new system allows to document residual pointing errors and to point onto the solar disk center even in case of variable intensity distributions across the source due to cirrus or haze.
Modulation of synaptic transmission in neocortex by network activities

Neocortical neurons integrate inputs from thousands of presynaptic neurons that fire in vivo with frequencies that can reach 20 Hz. An important issue in understanding cortical integration is to determine the actual impact of presynaptic firing on postsynaptic neuron in the context of an active network. We used dual intracellular recordings from synaptically connected neurons or microstimulation to study the properties of spontaneous and evoked single‐axon excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in vivo, in barbiturate or ketamine−xylazine anaesthetized cats. We found that active states of the cortical network were associated with higher variability and decrease in amplitude and duration of the EPSPs owing to a shunting effect. Moreover, the number of apparent failures markedly increased during active states as compared with silent states. Single‐axon EPSPs in vivo showed mainly paired‐pulse facilitation, and the paired‐pulse ratio increased during active states as compare to silent states, suggesting a decrease in release probability during active states. Raising extracellular Ca2+ concentration to 2.5–3.0 mm by reverse microdialysis reduced the number of apparent failures and significantly increased the mean amplitude of individual synaptic potentials. Quantitative analysis of spontaneous synaptic activity suggested that the proportion of presynaptic activity that impact at the soma of a cortical neuron in vivo was low because of a high failure rate, a shunting effect and probably dendritic filtering. We conclude that during active states of cortical network, the efficacy of synaptic transmission in individual synapses is low, thus safe transmission of information requires synchronized activity of a large population of presynaptic neurons.
Association of hypothyroidism in patients with migraine and tension-type headache disorders in Kashmir, North India

Objective: This case control study was undertaken to ascertain the frequency of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism in patients with various types of primary headache disorders in Kashmir, North India. Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary care (university of Kashmir) hospital of North India. The study subjects consisted of 250 patients with primary headache disorders. This was compared with an age-sex matched control of 500 subjects. Thyroid function tests were performed by new automated immunochemiluminometric assay. Results: Among patients with primary headache disorders, subclinical hypothyroidism was present in 22% and overt hypothyroidism in 7.2%. On the other hand, subclinical hypothyroidism was observed in 11.2% and overt hypothyroidism in 1.2% of cases in the control group, the differences between primary headache and control group was statistically significant (p 0.05). Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is found to be a co-morbidity or predisposes to the development of chronic headache (tension-type headache and migraine) in this North Indian study.
Surface Rupture of the 2005 Kashmir, Pakistan, Earthquake and Its Active Tectonic Implications

To provide a detailed record of a relatively rare thrust surface rupture and examine its active tectonic implications, we have conducted field mapping of the surface rupture associated with the 2005 M w 7.6 Kashmir earthquake. Despite the difficulty arising from massive earthquake-induced landslides along the surface rupture, we found that typical pressure ridges and warps extend northwestward for a distance of ∼70 km, with a northeast-side-up vertical separation of up to ∼7 m. Neither the main frontal thrust nor the main boundary thrust is responsible for the earthquake, but three active faults or fault segments within the Sub-Himalaya, collectively called the Balakot–Bagh fault, compose the causative fault. Although the fault exhibits substantial geomorphic expression of repeated similar surface ruptures, only a part of it had been mapped as active before the earthquake. The location of the hypocenter suggests that the rupture was initiated at a deep portion of the northern–central segment boundary and propagated bilaterally to eventually break all three segments. Our obtained surface rupture traces and the along-strike-slip distribution are both in good agreement with results of prompt analyses of satellite images, indicating that space geodesy can greatly aid in time-consuming field mapping of surface ruptures. Assuming that the extensive fill terrace in the meizoseismal area was abandoned during 10–30 ka, we tentatively estimate the earthquake recurrence interval and shortening rate on the Balakot–Bagh fault to be 1000–3300 yr and 1.4–4.1 mm/yr, respectively. These estimates indicate that the Balakot–Bagh fault is not a main player of Himalayan contraction accommodation. [Graphic][1] Selected field photographs and ArcGIS files of the mapped surface rupture traces and measured vertical separations are available in the electronic supplement to this article. [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
The Unified North American Soil Map and its implication on the soil organic carbon stock in North America

The Unified North American Soil Map (UNASM) was developed to provide more accurate regional soil information for terrestrial biosphere modeling. The UNASM combines information from state-of-the-art US STATSGO2 and Soil Landscape of Canada (SLCs) databases. The area not covered by these datasets is filled by using the Harmonized World Soil Database version 1.21 (HWSD1.21). The UNASM contains maximum soil depth derived from the data source as well as seven soil attributes (including sand, silt, and clay content, gravel content, organic carbon content, pH, and bulk density) for the topsoil layer (0–30 cm) and the subsoil layer (30–100 cm), respectively, of the spatial resolution of 0.25 degrees in latitude and longitude. There are pronounced differences in the spatial distributions of soil properties and soil organic carbon between UNASM and HWSD, but the UNASM overall provides more detailed and higher-quality information particularly in Alaska and central Canada. To provide more accurate and up-to-date estimate of soil organic carbon stock in North America, we incorporated Northern Circumpolar Soil Carbon Database (NCSCD) into the UNASM. The estimate of total soil organic carbon mass in the upper 100 cm soil profile based on the improved UNASM is 365.96 Pg, of which 23.1% is under trees, 14.1% is in shrubland, and 4.6% is in grassland and cropland. This UNASM data will provide a resource for use in terrestrial ecosystem modeling both for input of soil characteristics and for benchmarking model output.
Small-Cell Carcinomas of the Bladder and Lung Are Characterized by a Convergent but Distinct Pathogenesis

Purpose: Small-cell carcinoma of the bladder (SCCB) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine tumor with a dismal prognosis and limited treatment options. As SCCB is histologically indistinguishable from small-cell lung cancer, a shared pathogenesis and cell of origin has been proposed. The aim of this study is to determine whether SCCBs arise from a preexisting urothelial carcinoma or share a molecular pathogenesis in common with small-cell lung cancer. Experimental Design: We performed an integrative analysis of 61 SCCB tumors to identify histology- and organ-specific similarities and differences. Results: SCCB has a high somatic mutational burden driven predominantly by an APOBEC-mediated mutational process. TP53, RB1, and TERT promoter mutations were present in nearly all samples. Although these events appeared to arise early in all affected tumors and likely reflect an evolutionary branch point that may have driven small-cell lineage differentiation, they were unlikely the founding transforming event, as they were often preceded by diverse and less common driver mutations, many of which are common in bladder urothelial cancers, but not small-cell lung tumors. Most patient tumors (72%) also underwent genome doubling (GD). Although arising at different chronologic points in the evolution of the disease, GD was often preceded by biallelic mutations in TP53 with retention of two intact copies. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that small-cell cancers of the bladder and lung have a convergent but distinct pathogenesis, with SCCBs arising from a cell of origin shared with urothelial bladder cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 24(8); 1965–73. ©2017 AACR. See related commentary by Oser and Jänne, p. 1775
Thymosin b 10 Inhibits Cell Migration and Capillary-Like Tube Formation of Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells

Thymosin b10 is a cytoplasm G-actin sequestering protein whose functions are largely unknown. To determine the direct effects of exogenous thymosin b10 on angiogenic potentials as endothelial cell migration and capillary-like tube formation, human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) were incubated with increasing doses of thymosin b10 (25–100 ng/ml). By using a modified Boyden chamber assay, thymosin b10 inhibited cell migration in a doseand time-dependent manner with the maximal effect being a 36% reduction at 100 ng/ml as compared to controls (P < 0.01). In addition, thymosin b10 (100 ng/ml) significantly inhibited the capillary-like tube-formation of HCAECs on Matrigel, showing a 21% reduction of the total tube length as compared to negative controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, by using real time PCR analysis, thymosin b10 significantly decreased mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) and integrin aV after 24 h treatment in HCAECs. By contrast, thymosin b4 significantly increased HCAEC migration. These results indicate that thymosin b10, but not thymosin b4, have direct inhibitive effects on endothelial migration and tube formation that might be mediated via downregulation of VEGF, VEGFR-1 and integrin aV in HCAECs. This study suggests a potential therapeutic application of thymosin b10 to the diseases with excessive angiogenesis such as cancer. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 63:222–230, 2006. ' 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Environmental Controls on River Assemblages at the Regional Scale: An Application of the Elements of Metacommunity Structure Framework

Understanding factors that structure regional biodiversity is important for linking ecological and biogeographic processes. Our objective was to explore regional patterns in riverine benthic invertebrate assemblages in relation to their broad positioning along the river network and examine differences in composition, biodiversity (alpha and beta diversity), and environmental drivers. We up-scaled methods used to examine patterns in metacommunity structure (Elements of Metacommunity Structure framework) to examine faunal distribution patterns at the regional extent for 168 low-mountain stream invertebrate assemblages in central Germany. We then identified the most influential environmental factors using boosted regression trees. Faunal composition patterns were compartmentalised (Clementsian or quasi-Clementsian), with little difference from headwaters to large rivers, potentially reflecting the regional scale of the study, by crossing major catchment boundaries and incorporating different species pools. While idealised structures did not vary, environmental drivers of composition varied considerably between river sections and with alpha diversity. Prediction was substantially weaker, and the importance of space was greater, in large rivers compared to other sections suggesting a weakening in species sorting downstream. Further, there was a stronger transition in composition than for alpha diversity downstream. The stronger links with regional faunal composition than with richness further emphasises the importance of considering the alternative ways in which anthropogenic stressors are operating to affect biodiversity patterns. Our approach allowed bridging the gap between local (or metacommunity) and regional scales, providing key insights into drivers of regional biodiversity patterns.