Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ammonia Emission from Fattening Pig Houses in Relation to Animal Activity and Carbon Dioxide Production

Ammonia emission from animal facilities is a world-wide research focus area, because ammonia is a nuisance for the external environment. It is therefore important to know how ammonia emissions depend on various factors, such as animal activity and ventilation rate. The objective of this paper is to show the impact of animal activity on the variation of the diurnal ammonia emission in controlled environment with low variation in indoor temperature. The investigation, comprising three trials with a total of 57 24-hour measuring periods, has been dealing with animal activity, ventilation rate and ammonia emission. In order to show how precisely the ventilation rate can be measured on the basis of the easier measurable carbon dioxide concentration, investigations of the ventilation rate have been made both when measured by means of measuring fans and indirectly on the basis of the carbon dioxide concentration. Hourly ammonia emissions, where the ventilation rate is based on carbon dioxide concentrations, have been investigated both with standard sinusoidal corrections for diurnal variations in carbon dioxide productions and adjusted by measured animal activity. The investigation carried out at a conventional farm shows that the diurnal variation in animal activity can be approximated by a sinusoidal model, where about 3/4 of the diurnal variation in activity can be explained (R2 ≈ 0.75). The investigations also show that the ventilation rate as daily average can be approximated on the basis of measurements of the carbon dioxide concentration in the animal house, using a carbon dioxide production in accordance with the CIGR (2002) of 0.185 m3/h per heat producing unit (1 hpu = 1000 W in animal total heat production). The ratio between ventilation rate on a carbon dioxide basis and measured as 24 hour average varied from 1.02 to 1.17. On hourly basis, the relation between ventilation rate based on carbon dioxide concentration and measured by fans, very much depends on whether adjustments for animal activity are taken into account. Without adjustment for animal activity, the correlation is in the worst case close to zero. When using a standard adjustment for activity, the correlation R2 between calculated and measured ventilation rates will be 0.80 or above. The correlation between animal activity and ammonia emission was between 0.15 and 0.56.
AlGaN/GaN HEMT With Integrated Recessed Schottky-Drain Protection Diode

We present an AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with an integrated recessed protection diode on the drain side of the transistor channel. Results from our Schottky-drain HEMT demonstrate an excellent reverse blocking with minor tradeoff in the on-state resistance for the complete device. The excellent quality of the forward diode characteristics indicates high robustness of the recess process. The reverse blocking capability of the diode is better than - 110 V. Physical-based device simulations give an insight in the respective electronic mechanisms. This is the first time that a recessed Schottky-drain diode integrated in a HEMT device is presented.
Psoriasis: maintenance of an intact monolayer basal cell differentiation compartment in spite of hyperproliferation

Frozen sections of punch biopsies from normal epidermis and psoriatic involved and uninvolved epidermis have been examined immunocytochemically using a panel of anti‐keratin monoclonal antibodies with various specificities in the skin. Since psoriasis is thought to involve hyperproliferative expansion of the basal compartment from one to about three cell layers in thickness, the samples were screened with antibodies to intermediate filament determinants associated with basal cells, suprabasal cells and hyperproliferating keratinocyte‐derived cell lines, respectively. The basal—suprabasal division was observed to be intact, with only one layer of basal cells demarcated by the specific antibodies used under all circumstances. this suggests that (a) psoriatic ‘basal cell hyperproliferation’ may not specifically involve the basal cell compartment containing the stem cells, but rather a population of amplifying transit cells which are predominantly suprabasal, and that (b) while keratinocyte differentiation begins as the cells lose contact with the basal lamina, the first stages at least of differentiation are not dependent on the loss of the capacity to divide.
Philadelphia Panel evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on selected rehabilitation interventions for knee pain.

INTRODUCTION A structured and rigorous methodology was developed for the formulation of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (EBCPGs), then was used to develop EBCPGs for selected rehabilitation interventions for the management of knee pain. METHODS Evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were identified and synthesized using methods defined by the Cochrane Collaboration that minimize bias by using a systematic approach to literature search, study selection, data extraction, and data synthesis. Meta-analysis was conducted where possible. The strength of evidence was graded as level I for RCTs or level II for nonrandomized studies. DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS An expert panel was formed by inviting stakeholder professional organizations to nominate a representative. This panel developed a set of criteria for grading the strength of both the evidence and the recommendation. The panel decided that evidence of clinically important benefit (defined as 15% greater relative to a control based on panel expertise and empiric results) in patient-important outcomes was required for a recommendation. Statistical significance was also required but was insufficient alone. Patient-important outcomes were decided by consensus as being pain, function, patient global assessment, quality of life, and return to work, providing that these outcomes were assessed with a scale for which measurement reliability and validity have been established. VALIDATING THE RECOMMENDATIONS A feedback survey questionnaire was sent to 324 practitioners from 6 professional organizations. The response rate was 51%. RESULTS Two positive recommendations of clinical benefit were developed: (1) transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and therapeutic exercises were beneficial for knee osteoarthritis, and (2) there was good agreement with these recommendations from practitioners (73% for TENS, 98% for exercises). For several interventions and indications (eg, thermotherapy, therapeutic ultrasound, massage, electrical stimulation), there was a lack of evidence regarding efficacy. CONCLUSIONS This methodology of developing EBCPGs provides a structured approach to assessing the literature and developing EBCPGs that incorporates clinicians' feedback and is widely acceptable to practicing clinicians. Further well-designed RCTs are warranted regarding the use of several interventions for patients with knee pain where evidence was insufficient to make recommendations.
l-DOPA Impairs Proteasome Activity in Parkinsonism through D1 Dopamine Receptor

Aberrant membrane localization of dopamine D1 receptor (D1R) is associated with l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID), a major complication of l-DOPA treatment in Parkinson's disease (PD). Since the proteasome plays a central role in modulating neuronal response through regulation of neurotransmitter receptor intraneuronal fate, we hypothesized that the ubiquitine-proteasome proteolytic pathway could be impaired in LID. Those LIDs are actually associated with a striatum-specific decrease in proteasome catalytic activity and accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in experimental rodent and monkey parkinsonism. We then demonstrated that such decreased proteasome catalytic activity (1) results from D1R activation and (2) feed-back the D1R abnormal trafficking, i.e., its exaggerated cell surface abundance. We further showed that the genetic invalidation of the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase parkin PD gene leads to exaggerated abnormal involuntary movements compared with wild-type mice. We thus established in an unprecedented series of experimental models that impairment of the ubiquitine-proteasome system at specific nodes (E3 ligase parkin, polyubiquitination, proteasome catalytic activity) leads to the same phenomenon, i.e., aberrant behavioral response to dopamine replacement therapy in PD, highlighting the intimate interplay between dopamine receptor and proteasome activity in a nondegenerative context.
Major dry mergers in early-type brightest cluster galaxies

We search for ongoing major dry mergers in a well-selected sample of local brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) from the C4 cluster catalogue. 18 out of 515 early-type BCGs with redshift between 0.03 and 0.12 are found to be in major dry mergers, which are selected as pairs (or triples) with r-band magnitude difference δm r < 1.5 and projected separation r p < 30 kpc, and showing signatures of interaction in the form of significant asymmetry in residual images. We find that the fraction of BCGs in major dry mergers increases with the richness of the clusters, consistent with the fact that richer clusters usually have more massive (or luminous) BCGs. We estimate that present-day early-type BCGs may have experienced on average ∼0.6 (t merge /0.3 Gyr) ―1 major dry mergers and through this process increases their luminosity (mass) by 15 per cent (t merge /0.3 Gyr) ―1 (f mass /0.5) on average since z = 0.7, where t merge is the merging time-scale and f mass is the mean mass fraction of companion galaxies added to the central ones. We also find that major dry mergers do not seem to elevate radio activities in BCGs. Our study shows that major dry mergers involving BCGs in clusters of galaxies are not rare in the local Universe, and they are an important channel for the formation and evolution of BCGs.
Decreased osteoclastogenesis in serotonin-deficient mice

Peripheral serotonin, synthesized by tryptophan hydroxylase-1 (TPH1), has been shown to play a key role in several physiological functions. Recently, controversy has emerged about whether peripheral serotonin has any effect on bone density and remodeling.We therefore decided to investigate in detail bone remodeling in growing and mature TPH1 knockout mice (TPH1−/−). Bone resorption in TPH1−/− mice, as assessed by biochemical markers and bone histomorphometry, was markedly decreased at both ages. Using bone marrow transplantation, we present evidence that the decrease in bone resorption in TPH1−/− mice is cell-autonomous. Cultures from TPH1−/− in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator for NF-KB ligand (RANKL) displayed fewer osteoclasts, and the decreased differentiation could be rescued by adding serotonin. Our data also provide evidence that in the presence of RANKL, osteoclast precursors express TPH1 and synthesize serotonin. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of serotonin receptor 1B with SB224289, and of receptor 2A with ketanserin, also reduced the number of osteoclasts. Our findings reveal that serotonin has an important local action in bone, as it can amplify the effect of RANKL on osteoclastogenesis.
Temporal Preparation Driven by Rhythms is Resistant to Working Memory Interference

It has been recently shown that temporal orienting demands controlled attention (Capizzi et al., 2012). However, there is current debate on whether temporal preparation guided by regular rhythms also requires the generation of endogenous temporal expectancies or rather involves a mechanism independent of executive control processes. We investigated this issue by using a dual-task paradigm in two different experiments. In Experiment 1, the single-task condition measured reaction time to respond to the onset of an auditory stimulus preceded by either a regular or an irregular auditory rhythm. The dual-task condition additionally included a working memory task, which demanded mental counting and updating. In Experiment 2, the simultaneously WM task was a variant of the Sternberg Task. We hypothesized that, if temporal preparation induced by rhythms did not involve executive processing, it would not be interfered by the simultaneous working memory task. The results showed that participants could anticipate the moment of target onset on the basis of the regular rhythm and, more important, this ability resisted the interference from the double task condition in both experiments. This finding supports that temporal preparation induced by rhythms, in contrast to temporal orienting, does not require resources of executive control.
A Neural Field Model of the Somatosensory Cortex: Formation, Maintenance and Reorganization of Ordered Topographic Maps

We investigate the formation and maintenance of ordered topographic maps in the primary somatosensory cortex as well as the reorganization of representations after sensory deprivation or cortical lesion. We consider both the critical period (postnatal) where representations are shaped and the post-critical period where representations are maintained and possibly reorganized. We hypothesize that feed-forward thalamocortical connections are an adequate site of plasticity while cortico-cortical connections are believed to drive a competitive mechanism that is critical for learning. We model a small skin patch located on the distal phalangeal surface of a digit as a set of 256 Merkel ending complexes (MEC) that feed a computational model of the primary somatosensory cortex (area 3b). This model is a two-dimensional neural field where spatially localized solutions (a.k.a. bumps) drive cortical plasticity through a Hebbian-like learning rule. Simulations explain the initial formation of ordered representations following repetitive and random stimulations of the skin patch. Skin lesions as well as cortical lesions are also studied and results confirm the possibility to reorganize representations using the same learning rule and depending on the type of the lesion. For severe lesions, the model suggests that cortico-cortical connections may play an important role in complete recovery.
Robust Consensus for Multi-Agent Systems Communicating over Stochastic Uncertain Networks

In this paper, we study the robust consensus problem for a set of discrete-time linear agents to coordinate over an uncertain communication network, which is to achieve consensus against the transmission errors and noises resulted from the information exchange between the agents. We model the network by means of communication links subject to multiplicative stochastic uncertainties, which are susceptible to describing packet dropout, random delay, and fading phenomena. Different communication topologies, such as undirected graphs and leader-follower graphs, are considered. We derive sufficient conditions for robust consensus in the mean square sense. This results unveil intrinsic constraints on consensus attainment imposed by the network synchronizability, the unstable agent dynamics, and the channel uncertainty variances. Consensus protocols are designed based on the state information transmitted over the uncertain channels, by solving a modified algebraic Riccati equation.
Clinical significance of plasma level of vascular endothelial growth factor-C in patients with colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C is known to be associated with angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in various cancers. However, little is known about the clinical significance of determining the blood level of VEGF-C in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS Plasma levels of VEGF-C in patients with colorectal cancer (n = 127) and normal healthy volunteers (n = 23) were determined by the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The plasma VEGF-C concentration did not significantly differ between patients with colorectal cancer and healthy controls (P = 0.53). However, subgroup analysis showed that deeper tumor invasion (P = 0.04), more severe lymphatic invasion (P = 0.03) and venous invasion (P < 0.01) were correlated with an elevated level of plasma VEGF-C. Among the patients (n = 109) who underwent potentially curative surgery, the plasma level of VEGF-C was higher in patients who developed recurrence (n = 35) than in those who did not (n = 74) (P = 0.04). In addition, disease-free (P = 0.02) and overall survival times (P = 0.02) were shorter in patients with a high level (>1840 pg/ml) of plasma VEGF-C than in those with a low level (< or =1840 pg/ml) when the cut-off value was determined on the basis of the median value in colorectal cancer patients. Multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated that the plasma VEGF-C level along with Dukes' stage was an independent factor affecting overall survival (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION These results suggest that determining the plasma level of VEGF-C would be useful for predicting lymphatic invasion, venous invasion and poor outcome of patients with colorectal cancer.
Artificial Classifier Generation for Multi-expert System Evaluation

The evaluation of combination methods for multi-classifier systems is a difficult problem. In many cases multi-classifier combination methods are too complex to be formally studied and the experimental approach is the unique possible strategy. Of course, in order to simulate a multitude of real working conditions, sets of artificial classifiers with diverse characteristics must be generated. This paper presents an effective technique for generating sets of artificial classifiers with different characteristics both at the individual-level (i.e. recognition performance) and at the collective-level (i.e. degree of similarity). In the experimental tests, sets of artificial classifiers simulating different working conditions are generated and the performances of abstract-level combination methods are estimated. The results points out the effectiveness of the new technique for generating sets of artificial classifiers with different characteristics and their usefulness in estimating the performances of combination methods.
Persistent constipation and abdominal adverse events with newer treatments for constipation

Background Clinical trials of several new treatments for opioid-induced constipation (OIC), chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) have focused on differences between subjects relieved of constipation with placebo and active treatment. Patients and clinicians however, are more interested in the probability these treatments provide actual relief of constipation and its associated symptoms. Methods We searched the medical literature using MEDLINE and Cochrane central register of controlled trials. Randomised, placebo-controlled trials that examined the use of methylnaltrexone, naloxegol, lubiprostone, prucalopride or linaclotide in adults with OIC, CIC and IBS-C were eligible for inclusion. The primary efficacy measure was relief of constipation. Adverse event data for abdominal symptoms were also analysed. Key results and findings 25 publications were included in our analyses. The proportion of constipated individuals with active treatment was significantly lower than the proportion with placebo; however, in 15 of these 20 trials analysed, a majority of patients remained constipated with active treatment. Analyses of adverse event data revealed that the percentage of participants who experienced abdominal pain, diarrhoea and flatulence with active treatment was higher than that with placebo in the majority of trials analysed. Conclusions Newer pharmacological treatments for constipation are superior to placebo in relieving constipation, but many patients receiving active treatment may remain constipated. In addition, all 5 of the treatments studied are accompanied by no change or a possible increase in the prevalence of abdominal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea and flatulence.
Study on Decontamination of Contaminated Soils by Magnetic Separation

In this paper, we examined a new method for decontamination of soils by magnetic separation to reduce the volume of contaminated soils. In this method, we separate paramagnetic 2:1 type clay minerals with strong adsorbility of Cs ions from diamagnetic 1:1 type clay minerals with weak adsorbility of Cs ions. In addition, Cs ions desorbed from 1:1 types by washing are migrated to 2:1 type clay minerals. As a result, the doses of 1:1 type clay minerals can be reduced. First, it became apparent by the particle trajectory simulation that vermiculite, which is 2:1 type clay mineral, could be selectively separated by high gradient magnetic separation using superconducting magnet. Second, we confirmed the separation of vermiculite coexisting with kaolinite, which is 1:1 type clay mineral, by the experiments based on the simulation. Moreover, the experiments using the actual contaminated soils were conducted to examine the migration of Cs ions from 1:1 to 2:1 type clay minerals. As a result, it was observed that Cs ions desorbed from 1:1 types could be adsorbed to 2:1 type clay minerals when using 0.1 mol/L KI as wash solution. It showed the possibility of decreasing the dose of 1:1 type clay minerals.
Living with Marfan syndrome I. Perceptions of the condition

We present data from an exploratory study of 174 adults with Marfan syndrome regarding their cognitive perceptions of the condition as postulated by the self‐regulatory model (Leventhal H, Benyamini Y, Brownlee S et al. In: Petrie KI, Weinman JA, eds. Perceptions of Health and Illness: Current Research and Applications. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Harwood Academic, 1997: 19–45; Leventhal H, Nerenz DR, Steele DJ. In: Baum A, Taylor SE, Singer JE, eds. Handbook of Psychology and Health. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1984: 219–252). The vast majority of the respondents had adequate general knowledge about Marfan syndrome. Eighty‐three percent of the respondents perceived Marfan syndrome as having had significant adverse consequences on their lives. Having striae, pain (sore joints), and depression were each independently correlated with this view. Fifty‐eight percent of the respondents indicated that they felt they had low to moderate control over their condition, demonstrating variability. History of aortic dissection, pain (sore joints), and depressive symptoms were each negatively correlated with the view that Marfan syndrome is a curable/controllable condition. Moreover, approximately 28% view the condition as a lethal condition, whereas 67% view it as a serious condition. Forty‐four percent of the cohort were found to have significant symptomatology of depression independent of beta‐ and Ca2+‐channel blockade use. Respondents cited both advantages and disadvantages of being affected. Genetic counseling that addresses patients’ perceptions of Marfan syndrome, and its associated pain, fatigue, and depressive symptoms, may enhance patient adaptation to the condition.
Controlling a ball and wheel system using full-state-feedback linearization [Focus on Education]

In this article, the ball and wheel system was considered. A mathematical model of the system was derived to facilitate the controller design. It was shown that this system is locally full-state-feedback linearizable, and a stabilizing control law was obtained based on full-state-feedback linearization. The experimental apparatus was constructed, and the controller was implemented. Simulation and experimental results were presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed controller. This experimental device is easy to build, inexpensive, and well suited for nonlinear control study.