Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monitoring biostability and biofilm formation potential in drinking water distribution systems

The foremost aim of potable water treatment is to produce water that does not pose a health risk when consumed and/or otherwise used. Nevertheless, research has established that the quality of treated water deteriorates during distribution. The nature and extent of this deterioration varies from system to system and from time to time. The aim of this research study was to monitor the parameters that are known to significantly affect biostability and biofilm formation potential in drinking water distribution systems. Biweekly water samples were collected from thirteen sites, across a section of Johannesburg Water’s network, between September 2015 and August 2016. All samples were assayed for a suite of fifteen water quality parameters using standard methods. Heightened temperature, dearth of chlorine residuals, availability of biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC), and advanced water age all engendered the loss of biostability (instability). Biostability controlling parameters varied seasonally and spatially. Samples collected during spring and summer, in general, were most likely to be characterized by instability than samples collected during winter and autumn. Samples collected from sites RW80, RW81, RW82, RW83, RW104 and RW253 were more prone to instability compared to samples from other sites. From the results, it is clear that chlorine residuals ought to be kept above 0.2 mg/l, and, BDOC below 0.3mg/l to prevent the loss of heterotrophic stability in distributed water. BDOC concentrations can be decreased by, flushing the pipes, cleaning reservoirs regularly and by further treating feed water before distributing. Booster disinfection can be relied upon to ensure that chlorine residuals are maintained throughout the network. Apart from potential health risks, biological instability and biofilm growth can result in non-compliance with regulations.
Prion Strain Targeting Independent of Strain-Specific Neuronal Tropism

ABSTRACT While neuropathological features that define prion strains include spongiform degeneration and deposition patterns of PrPSc, the underlying mechanism for the strain-specific differences in PrPSc targeting is not known. To investigate prion strain targeting, we inoculated hamsters in the sciatic nerve with either the hyper (HY) or drowsy (DY) strain of the transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) agent. Both TME strains were initially retrogradely transported in the central nervous system (CNS) exclusively by four descending motor tracts. The locations of HY and DY PrPSc deposition were identical throughout the majority of the incubation period. However, differences in PrPSc deposition between these strains were observed upon development of clinical disease. The differences observed were unlikely to be due to strain-specific neuronal tropism, since comparison of PrPSc deposition patterns by different routes of infection indicated that all brain areas were susceptible to prion infection by both TME strains. These findings suggest that prion transport and differential susceptibility to prion infection are not solely responsible for prion strain targeting. The data suggest that differences in PrPSc distribution between strains during clinical disease are due to differences in the length of time that PrPSc has to spread in the CNS before the host succumbs to disease.
Phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by normal mouse peritoneal macrophages

Although Staphylococcus aureus is incapable of intracellular multiplication in cultured mouse peritoneal macrophages, it is killed at a much slower rate than the avirulent Staphylococcus epidermidis. In addition to the presence of capsular material which inhibits phagocytosis of specific strains of S. aureus, the data show that a number of cellular and environmental factors affect the functional capacities of mononuclear phagocytic cells. The data obtained by varying the initial level of infection indicate that the number of ingested bacteria may subsequently alter the kinetics of intracellular killing. In vitro maturation of macrophages in culture was also found to exert a pronounced effect on the kinetics of bacterial death.
The Electronic Structure and Secondary Pyroelectric Properties of Lithium Tetraborate

We review the pyroelectric properties and electronic structure of Li2B4O7(110) and Li2B4O7(100) surfaces. There is evidence for a pyroelectric current along the [110] direction of stoichiometric Li2B4O7 so that the pyroelectric coefficient is nonzero but roughly 103 smaller than along the [001] direction of spontaneous polarization. Abrupt decreases in the pyroelectric coefficient along the [110] direction can be correlated with anomalies in the elastic stiffness C33D contributing to the concept that the pyroelectric coefficient is not simply a vector but has qualities of a tensor, as expected. The time dependent surface photovoltaic charging suggests that surface charging is dependent on crystal orientation and doping, as well as temperature.
A case of aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole)-induced side-effects successfully treated with Kampo medicines.

OBJECTIVES Breast cancer is the fourth most frequent cause of death, and it is currently the most frequent cause of death among Japanese women. As to breast cancer therapy, lengthy hormonal therapy is very important for the treatment and prevention of recurrence. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the initial drug of choice for postoperative adjuvant therapy of breast cancer in Japan. AIs require long-term use and occasionally cause serious side-effects. In this report, the effects of Kampo medicines (Japanese traditional medicines) on AIs-induced side-effects are described. SUBJECT A 55-year-old woman visited the Kampo outpatient department of Chiba University Hospital for atypical genital bleeding and arthralgia. At the age of 54, she suffered from left breast cancer and underwent left total mastectomy followed by chemotherapy for 6 months. Afterwards, 1 mg/day of anastrozole, one of the AIs, was used for therapy. Three (3) months later, atypical genital bleeding from vaginal mucosa and joint pains of bilateral hands and knees occurred as side-effects of anastrozole. Her attending doctor could only prescribe nonsteroidal external medicine for the inflammation of vaginal mucosa and do close follow-up. However, her symptoms showed no improvement. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOME Her deficiency of both ki (qi) and ketsu (Blood) was diagnosed based on Kampo diagnostics. Juzentaihoto was used for treatment. After taking juzentaihoto for 5 weeks, the atypical genital bleeding disappeared, and she no longer need topical medicine. Because her arthralgia showed no improvement, powdered processed aconitine root was added. After taking 3.0 g/day of this medication, her arthralgia almost completely disappeared. CONCLUSIONS Controlling the side-effects is a clinical issue from the viewpoint of adherence to drug treatment. Kampo therapy should be considered one of the choices for side-effects in the process of cancer treatment.
Signatures of synchrotron emission and of electron acceleration in the X-ray spectra of Mrk 421

Dipartimento di Fisica, Universita` di Roma Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca scientiﬁca 1, I-00133 Roma, ItalyReceived . ; accepted . ABSTRACTContext.BL Lac objects undergo strong ﬂux variations involving cons iderable changes in their spectral shapes. We speciﬁcally i nvestigate theX-ray spectral evolution of Mrk 421 over a time span of about nine years.Aims. We aim at statistically describing and physically understanding the large spectral changes in X rays observed in Mrk 421 over this timespan.Methods. We perform a homogeneous spectral analysis of a wide data set including archived observations with ASCA, BeppoSAX, RXTE, aswell as published and unpublished XMM-Newton data. The presence of uncertainties is taken into account in our correlation analysis. Thesigniﬁcance of the correlations found and possible spuriou s eﬀects are studied with Monte Carlo simulations.Results. We ﬁnd that the Mrk 421 spectral energy distribution (SED) ha s a lower peak at energies that vary in the range, 0.1-10 keV while itsX-ray spectrum is deﬁnitely curved. Parameterizing the X-ray spectra with a log-parabolic model, we ﬁnd a positive correlation between theposition and the height of the SED peak. In addition, we ﬁnd a n egative trend of the spectral curvature parameter vs. the SED peak energy.Conclusions. We show that these relations between the spectral parameters are consistent with statistical or stochastic acceleration of theemitting particles, and provide insight into the physical processes occurring in BL Lac nuclei.Key words. galaxies: active - galaxies: BL Lacertae objects - X-rays: galaxies: individual: Mrk 421 - radiation mechanisms: non-thermal
Meta-analysis of the Efficacy of Different Training Strategies in Animal Models of Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose— Although several studies have shown beneficial effects of training in animal stroke models, the most effective training strategy and the optimal time to initiate training have not been identified. The present meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy of different training strategies and to determine the optimal time window for training in animal stroke models. Methods— We searched the literature for studies analyzing the efficacy of training in animal models of ischemic stroke. Training was categorized into forced physical training, voluntary physical training, constraint-induced movement therapy, and skilled reaching training. Two reviewers independently extracted data on study quality, infarct size, and neurological outcome. Data were pooled by means of a meta-analysis. Results— Thirty-five studies with >880 animals were included. A meta-analysis of all treatments showed that training reduced the infarct volume by 14% (95% confidence interval, 2%–25%) and improved the cognitive function by 33% (95% confidence interval, 8%–50%), the neuroscore by 13.4% (95% confidence interval, 1.5%–25.3%), and the running function by 6.6% (95% confidence interval, 1.4%–11.9%). Forced physical training reduced the infarct volume and enhanced the running function most effectively, whereas skilled reaching training improved the limb function most effectively. A meta-regression illustrated that training was particularly efficacious when initiated between 1 and 5 days after stroke onset. Conclusions— Our meta-analysis confirms that training reduces the infarct volume and improves the functional recovery in animal stroke models. Forced physical training and skilled reaching training were identified as particularly effective training strategies. The efficacy of training is time dependent.
Clinical effectiveness of steroid pulse therapy combined with tonsillectomy in patients with immunoglobulin A nephropathy presenting glomerular haematuria and minimal proteinuria

Aim: The effectiveness of steroid pulse therapy combined with tonsillectomy (ST) has been shown in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) patients with moderate or severe urinary abnormalities. The present study aimed to clarify whether the effectiveness may be extrapolated to IgAN with minor urinary abnormalities, and whether the effectiveness may depend on the histological severity with minor urinary abnormalities.
Cromatcher: An Ontology Matching System Based on Automated Weighted Aggregation and Iterative Final Alignment

In order to perform ontology matching with high accuracy, while at the same time retaining applicability to most diverse input ontologies, the matching process generally incorporates multiple methods. Each of these methods is aimed at a particular ontology component, such as annotations, structure, properties or instances. Adequately combining these methods is one of the greatest challenges in designing an ontology matching system. In a parallel composition of basic matchers, the ability to dynamically set the weights of the basic matchers in the final output, thus making the weights optimal for the given input, is the key breakthrough for obtaining first-rate matching performance. In this paper we present CroMatcher, an ontology matching system, introducing several novelties to the automated weight calculation process. We apply substitute values for matchers that are inapplicable for the particular case and use thresholds to eliminate low-probability alignment candidates. We compare the alignments produced by the matchers and give less weight to the matchers producing mutually similar alignments, whereas more weight is given to those matchers whose alignment is distinct and rather unique. We also present a new, iterative method for producing one-to-one final alignment of ontology structures, which is a significant enhancement of similar non-iterative methods proposed in the literature. CroMatcher has been evaluated against other state-of-the-art matching systems at the OAEI evaluation contest. In a large number of test cases it achieved the highest score, which puts it among the state-of-the-art leaders.
Construction of localized wave functions for a disordered optical lattice and analysis of the resulting Hubbard model parameters

We propose a method to construct localized single-particle wave functions using imaginary time projection and thereby determine lattice Hamiltonian parameters. We apply the method to a specific disordered potential generated by an optical lattice experiment and calculate for each instance of disorder the equivalent lattice model parameters. The probability distributions of the Hubbard parameters are then determined. Tests of localization and energy convergence are examined.
Conjugated‐Polymer Blends for Organic Photovoltaics: Rational Control of Vertical Stratification for High Performance

The photoactive layer of bulk‐heterojunction organic solar cells, in a thickness range of tens to hundreds of nanometers, comprises phase‐separated electron donors and acceptors after solution casting. The component distribution in the cross‐section of these thin films is found to be heterogeneous, with electron donors or acceptors accumulated or depleted near the electrode interfaces. This vertical stratification of the photovoltaic blend influences device metrics through its impact on charge transport and recombination, and consequently plays an important role in determining the power conversion efficiency of photovoltaic devices. Here, different techniques, e.g., surface analysis and sputter‐assisted depth‐profiling, reflectivity modeling, and 3D imaging, that have been employed to characterize vertical stratification in bulk‐heterojunction photovoltaic blends are reviewed. The origins of vertical stratification are summarized, including thermodynamics, kinetics, surface free energy, and selective dissolubility. The impact of correct and wrong vertical stratification to device metrics of solar cells are highlighted. Examples are then given to demonstrate how desired vertical stratification can be controlled with properly aligned device architecture to enable solar cells with high efficiency.
Sparse Nonlinear Regression: Parameter Estimation under Nonconvexity

We study parameter estimation for sparse nonlinear regression. More specifically, we assume the data are given by y = f(xτβ*) + e, where f is nonlinear. To recover β*, we propose an l1- regularized least-squares estimator. Unlike classical linear regression, the corresponding optimization problem is nonconvex because of the nonlinearity of f. In spite of the nonconvexity, we prove that under mild conditions, every stationary point of the objective enjoys an optimal statistical rate of convergence. Detailed numerical results are provided to back up our theory.
Ginger phytochemicals mitigate the obesogenic effects of a high-fat diet in mice: a proteomic and biomarker network analysis.

SCOPE Natural dietary anti-obesogenic phytochemicals may help combat the rising global incidence of obesity. We aimed to identify key hepatic pathways targeted by anti-obsogenic ginger phytochemicals fed to mice. METHODS AND RESULTS Weaning mice were fed a high-fat diet containing 6-gingerol (HFG), zerumbone (HFZ), a characterized rhizome extract of the ginger-related plant Alpinia officinarum Hance (high fat goryankang, HFGK) or no phytochemicals (high-fat control, HFC) for 6 wks and were compared with mice on a low-fat control diet (LFC). Increased adiposity in the HFC group, compared with the LFC group, was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in the HFG and HFGK groups without food intake being affected. Correlation network analysis, including a novel residuals analysis, was utilized to investigate relationships between liver proteomic data, lipid and cholesterol biomarkers and physiological indicators of adiposity. 6-Gingerol significantly increased plasma cholesterol but hepatic farnesyl diphosphate synthetase, which is involved in cholesterol biosynthesis was decreased, possibly by negative feedback. Acetyl-coenzyme A acyltransferase 1 and enoyl CoA hydratase, which participate in the β-oxidation of fatty acids were significantly (p<0.05) increased by consumption of phytochemical-supplemented diets. CONCLUSION Dietary ginger phytochemicals target cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid oxidation in mice, with anti-obesogenic but also hypercholesterolemic consequences.
Müllerian Inhibiting Substance lowers testosterone in luteinizing hormone-stimulated rodents

Müllerian Inhibiting Substance (MIS) expression is inversely proportional to the serum concentration of testosterone in males after birth and in vitro studies have shown that MIS can lower testosterone production by Leydig cells. Also, mice overexpressing MIS exhibited Leydig cell hypoplasia and lower levels of serum testosterone, but it is not clear whether this is a result of MIS affecting the development of Leydig cells or their capacity to produce testosterone. To examine the hypothesis that MIS treatment will result in decreased testosterone production by mature Leydig cells in vivo, we treated luteinizing hormone (LH)-stimulated adult male rats and mice with MIS and demonstrated that it can lead to a several-fold reduction in testosterone in serum and in testicular extracts. There was also a slight decrease in 17-OH-progesterone compared to the more significant decrease in testosterone, suggesting that MIS might be regulating the lyase activity of cytochrome P450c17 hydroxylase/lyase (Cyp17), but not its hydroxylase activity. Northern analysis showed that, in both MIS-treated rats and mice, the mRNA for Cyp17, which catalyzes the committed step in androgen synthesis, was down-regulated. In rats, the mRNA for cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) was also down-regulated by MIS. This was not observed in mice, indicating that there might be species-specific regulation by MIS of the enzymes involved in the testosterone biosynthetic pathway. Our results show that MIS can be used in vivo to lower testosterone production by mature rodent Leydig cells and suggest that MIS-mediated down-regulation of the expression of Cyp17, and perhaps P450scc, contributes to that effect.
A design methodology for hybrid carry-lookahead/carry-select adders with reconfigurability

This paper presents a design methodology of reconfigurable hybrid carry lookahead/carry select adders (CLSA). A novel partition scheme is used to divide a large hybrid CLSA into multiple small ones with blocking specific inputs of the carry lookahead unit in the hybrid CLSA. The partition scheme incurs no delay penalty regardless of the size of adders. Moreover, the additional area cost is very small. For example, a reconfigurable 16-bit hybrid CLSA with four different partition configurations needs additional 6 two-input AND gates and three two-input multiplexers. Simulation results show that the delay of a 64-bit reconfigurable CLSA is only about 1.38 ns in 0.18 /spl mu/m technology.
The mechanical properties of bituminous materials.

The thesis presents details of tests carried out to assess the correlation between the major mechanical properties of selected bituminous mixes using the Marshall, the unconfined compressive strength, and the triaxial compressive strength tests. The influence of the type of aggregate on the Marshall test parameters has been investigated using five combinations of aggregates with continuous and gap grading for tests at 60°C and 45°C. The role of filler has been examined by preparing limestone aggregate mixes with a wide range of filler contents for test by the normal Marshall procedure. Tests have also been carried out to investigate the effect of density on the unconfined compressive strength of continuously graded gravel aggregate mixes, the tests being carried out at 2 in/min rate of strain and at 60°C. The effect of testing rate of strain and of testing temperature was noted for the three types of aggregate. The Marshall stability test and the unconfined compressive strength test results were obtained using a trace recorder and the continuous results of lead/deformation thus obtained have been analysed in detail. Values of cohesion and angle of internal friction have been determined for two types of aggregate using an "open-system" triaxial compressive strength test at different values of lateral pressure. The tests in this part of the study were limited in number of lateral pressure undertaken at 45°C and 2 in/min rate of strain. The review of previous work covers mix design methods and observations on the three mechanical tests used in the investigations carried out. Reference is also made to some other aspects that affect the value of the tests. The experimental results obtained are discussed in detail and a number of conclusions are drawn regarding the significance of the tests carried out. In particular, the type of aggregate used is shown to have a dominant effect on the properties measured. Recommendations are given for further work with emphasis on the need to correlate laboratory results with practical pavement mixes.
Artificial neural networks and geometric morphometric methods as a means for classification: A case‐study using teeth from Carcharhinus sp. (Carcharhinidae)

Over the past few decades, geometric morphometric methods have become increasingly popular and powerful tools to describe morphological data while over the same period artificial neural networks have had a similar rise in the classification of specimens to preconceived groups. However, there has been little research into how well these two systems operate together, particularly in comparison to preexisting techniques. In this study, geometric morphometric data and multilayer perceptrons, a style of artificial neural network, were used to classify shark teeth from the genus Carcharhinus to species. Three datasets of varying size and species differences were used. We compared the performance of this combination with geometric morphometric data in a linear discriminate function analysis, linear measurements in a linear discriminate function analysis, and a preexisting methodology from the literature that incorporates linear measurements and a two‐layered discriminate function analysis. Across datasets, geometric morphometric data in a multilayer perceptron tended to yield modest accuracies but accuracies that varied less across species whereas other methods were able to achieve higher accuracies in some species at the expense of lower accuracies in others. Further, the performance of the two‐layered discriminate function analysis illustrates that constraining what material is classified can increase the accuracy of a method. Based on this tradeoff, the best methodology will then depend on the scope of the study and the amount of material available. J. Morphol. 278:131–141, 2017. ©© 2016 Wiley Periodicals,Inc.