Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The lipid content of bovine spermatozoa during maturation and ageing.

Several changes occurring during sperm maturation in the epididymis were determined either for spermatozoa obtained from consecutive ejaculates or from the caput and the cauda epididymidis. A significant decline was found in the fresh weight of the cells during maturation and was attributed to dehydration and to a loss of certain components from the cells. This was proved by the increase in the % dry matter and by the decrease in the content of the dry matter, the total lipids and of the main lipid fractions of the cells during maturation. The increase in the % dry matter and the decrease in the % total lipids in the dry matter explain the increase in the specific gravity of spermatozoa during maturation.
Wind Speed and Mortality Rate of a Marine Fish, the Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax)

Large variability in recruitment of marine fishes creates challenging management problems. In northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), there is a significant linear relation between larval mortality rate and the frequency of calm, low wind speed periods during the spawning season, possibly because calm winds permit maintenance of concentrated patches of larval food. Neither cannibalism on larvae nor offshore transport contributed significantly to interannual variation in early larval mortality. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that wind-driven turbulent mixing affects variability in survival of young fish larvae. However, abundance of recruits does not necessarily reflect abundance of larvae surviving through this early stage.
Deceased donor kidney transplantation across donor-specific antibody barriers: predictors of antibody-mediated rejection.

BACKGROUND Apheresis-based desensitization allows for successful transplantation across major immunological barriers. For donor-specific antibody (DSA)- and/or crossmatch-positive transplantation, however, it has been shown that even intense immunomodulation may not completely prevent antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). METHODS In this study, we evaluated transplant outcomes in 101 DSA+ deceased donor kidney transplant recipients (transplantation between 2009 and 2013; median follow-up: 24 months) who were subjected to immunoadsorption (IA)-based desensitization. Treatment included a single pre-transplant IA session, followed by anti-lymphocyte antibody and serial post-transplant IA. In 27 cases, a positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatch (CDCXM) was rendered negative immediately before transplantation. Seventy-four of the DSA+ recipients had a negative CDCXM already before IA. RESULTS Three-year death-censored graft survival in DSA+ patients was significantly worse than in 513 DSA- recipients transplanted during the same period (79 versus 88%, P = 0.008). Thirty-three DSA+ recipients (33%) had ABMR. While a positive baseline CDCXM showed only a trend towards higher ABMR rates (41 versus 30% in CDCXM- recipients, P = 0.2), DSA mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) in single bead assays significantly associated with rejection, showing 20 versus 71% ABMR rates at <5000 versus >15 000 peak DSA MFI. The predictive value of MFI was moderate, with the highest accuracy at a median of 13 300 MFI (after cross-validation: 0.72). Other baseline variables, including CDC assay results, human leukocyte antigen mismatch, prior transplantation or type of induction treatment, did not add independent predictive information. CONCLUSIONS IA-based desensitization failed to prevent ABMR in a considerable number of DSA+ recipients. Assessing DSA MFI may help stratify risk of rejection, supporting its use as a guide to organ allocation and individualized treatment.
Effects of supplemental choline on extracellular acetylcholine in the nucleus accumbens during normal behavior and pharmacological acetylcholine depletion

Brain microdialysis was used to determine whether systemic or local application of choline would modify the extracellular concentration of acetylcholine (ACh) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of freely moving rats. Supplemental choline given intraperitoneally or into the NAc of normal rats did not increase extracellular ACh. When local ACh interneurons in the NAc were treated pharmacologically to deplete the intracellular stores of ACh, then systemic choline (80 mg/kg) was an effective treatment. Specifically, )1) blockade of the high‐affinity choline transporter with hemicholinium‐3 (HC‐3) to reduce ACh synthesis caused a decrease in extracellular ACh, but choline supplementation restored ACh toward its normal level in the NAc. (2) Local bicuculline treatment released ACh to the point of depletion, but systemic choline or locally infused choline helped maintain normal ACh levels. These results suggest that choline supplementation might be useful in preventing depletion of ACh in the nucleus accumbens during pathological conditions. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Longitudinal Influences of Knowledge and Self-efficacy on Exercise Behavior: Tests of a Mutual Reinforcement Model

The central tenet of social cognitive theory, that individuals' construal processes and behaviors mutually reinforce each other, is tested for exercise behavior. Two longitudinal data sets (year 1 to year 2 and year 1 to year 6) from the Stanford Five-City Project, a field experiment to promote cardiovascular disease prevention in California, are analyzed through structural equation modeling techniques to evaluate the effects of demographics, exercise knowledge, and exercise self-efficacy on exercise behavior. The effects of exercise behavior on subsequent knowledge and self-efficacy are also examined. In both data sets (year 1 to year 2, N = 1254 and year 1 to year 6, N = 939), education, income, age, and sex were significant predictors of exercise behavior. Self-efficacy and knowledge also predicted behavior. Prior exercise behavior predicted subsequent knowledge and self-efficacy. Prior knowledge and self-efficacy, in turn, predicted subsequent exercise behavior. Recommendations are made for enhancing the effectiveness of public health efforts designed to promote healthy behaviors.
High-fat diets and the immune response of C57 BI mice

As a basis for studies of the influence of lipids on the immune response and health, adult C57 BI mice were fed for 10 weeks or longer on one of the following diets: high (200 g/kg) polyunsaturated fatty acid, high (200 g/kg) saturated fatty acid and low (50 g/kg) polyunsaturated fatty acid purified diets and a standard commercial diet. The three test-fat diets were compounded to have approximately the same energy content and the mice of each group maintained similar body-weights. High-fat diets significantly reduced their subsequent delayed hypersensitivity response to challenge after sensitization with tuberculin. Immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibody formation against Escherichia coli lipopolysaccaride was transiently decreased, but IgG antibody against sheep erythrocytes and killed salmonella vaccine, IgG and IgE antibodies against ovalbumin remained unaffected. Total and differential blood counts revealed no differences between mice on high-fat and control diets in either the absolute numbers or the proportions of the types of leukocytes. Studies on peritoneal macrophages from mice of each group showed no difference in morphology and they ingested non-toxic and toxic particles releasing similar amounts of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) and β-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31) for each substance, indicating that there were no differences in viability or phagocytic function. The present study shows that the C57 BI mouse can provide a model for the investigation of some consequence of the reduced immunocompetence induced by high-fat diets.
Air pollution: an insidious and pervasive component of cardiac risk.

It has long been appreciated that fine particulate air pollution contributes to the pathology of respiratory disease and cancer.1,2⇓ The more elusive link to cardiovascular disease, however, has been recognized only in the last decade. Epidemiological1–5⇓⇓⇓⇓ and experimental laboratory6 evidence has been mounting that supports the postulate that elevated concentrations of particulate air pollution contribute to cardiovascular morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality. See p 933 A major challenge to systematic study in this field is the complexity of the particulate components of air pollution. Ambient air particulate matter (PM) consists of a mixture of combustive byproducts and resuspended crustal materials, as well as biological materials such as pollen, endotoxins, bacteria, and viruses. Regulated airborne particulates are generally classified by aerodynamic diameter, as coarse (PM10, 2.5 to 10 μm), fine (PM2.5, <2.5 μm), or ultrafine (PM0.1, <0.1 μm). Ultrafine particles come directly out of smokestacks and tailpipes and grow rapidly into the fine size range. Thus, fine particles result primarily from combustion sources, whereas coarse particles result primarily from mechanical crushing, grinding, or abrasion of surfaces. Particles <10 μm in diameter4 and, especially, finer particles <2.5 μm in diameter1,2,5⇓⇓ have been most commonly associated with cardiovascular risk. Every geographic region has a unique blend of particulate air pollution. Health risks due to ambient air particles have been documented not only in cities that are considered among the most heavily polluted, such as Los Angeles, Houston, and Steubenville, Ohio,1,4⇓ but also in cities that are considered to have relatively clean air, including Boston,1,5⇓ Seattle, and Minneapolis.4 Current data from the Environmental Protection Agency project that, nationwide, as many as 60 000 deaths annually are related to particulate air pollution.7 …
Antibiotic susceptibility testing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: selection of a control strain and criteria for magnesium and calcium content in media.

Because of the influence of Mg+ + and Ca+ + on the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to aminoglycosides and polymyxins, we studied the practical effects of variations in these cations in commercial Mueller-Hinton media. Batches of Mueller-Hinton agar sold by three firms contained 9.4-32.6 mg of Mg++ and 31.8-86.0 mg of Ca++ per liter; Mueller-Hinton broth had 2.0-5.6 mg of Mg+ + and 4.1-35.8 mg of Ca+ + per liter. Aminoglycoside MICs increased 16to 32fold with increases in Mg+ + or Ca+ + in media. Dilution tests with currently available Mueller-Hinton broth were unreliable. Disk diffusion and agar and broth dilution methods gave comparable results with media prepared to contain equivalent amounts of Mg+ + and Ca+ +. We recommend that Mueller-Hinton media contain 20-35 mg of Mg++ and 50-100 mg of Ca++ per liter. Acceptable performance of Mueller-Hinton media with a control P. aeruginosa should be assured by the manufacturer before sale and by the clinical laboratory during use.
Factors Associated with Restricted Hip Extension during Gait in Women after Total Hip Arthroplasty

Purpose A decreased peak hip extension angle in the late stance phase is a major gait abnormality in patients with THA. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between peak hip extension angle during gait and functional impairments such as muscle weakness and the limitation in joint range of motion and to identify the clinical factors influencing peak hip extension angle during gait. Methods 67 female volunteers with THA were examined. Biomechanical gait analysis was performed to measure peak hip extension angle during gait. Maximal isometric strength of the hip and knee, passive hip extension range of motion, leg length discrepancy, and hip pain were assessed. Results Peak hip extension angle during gait significantly correlated with passive hip extension range of motion (r = 0.259), hip pain (r = −0.264), isometric strengths of the hip musculature (r = 0.278-0.491), and knee extensor (r = 0.386). Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that hip abductor torque (β = 0.355, P = 0.001), hip pain (β = −0.353, P = 0.001), and passive hip extension range of motion (β = 0.258, P = 0.011) were significant contributors to peak hip extension angle during gait (R2 = 0.408). Conclusions Our findings suggest that THA rehabilitation aimed at improving gait ability should focus on strengthening the hip abductors, controlling hip pain and increasing range of motion of hip extension.
Diffusion Approximation of Radiative Transfer Problems with Interfaces

We derive the diffusion approximation of transport equations with discontinuities at interfaces. The transport equations model the energy density of acoustic waves. The waves are reflected and transmitted at the interface between different media,which leads to discontinuities of the energy density across the interface. The diffusion approximation, which is valid inside each region is not correct at the vicinity of the interface. However, using interface layer analysis, we prove that the transport solution can be approximated by a diffusion term plus an interface layer which decays exponentially fast. We derive systematically the correct form of the interface conditions for this diffusion term.
Exploring School Nurse Interventions and Health and Education Outcomes: An Integrative Review

School nurses intervene with students, parents, and school staff to advance the health and academic success of students. We conducted an integrative literature review of published research to describe the types of school nurse interventions and health and education outcome measures and to examine how school nurse interventions were linked to student outcomes. Sixty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. We used the National Association of School Nurses’ Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice to categorize school nurse interventions and health and education outcome measures. The majority of interventions were categorized under the care coordination principle, most commonly, motivational interviewing and counseling. In 17 studies, school nurse interventions were linked to improved student outcomes. Most studies (80%) were descriptive. To advance school nursing science, researchers can build on this foundation with more rigorous research methods to evaluate the impact of school nurse interventions and activities on student health and education outcomes.
Links: A High-Dimensional Online Clustering Method

We present a novel algorithm, called Links, designed to perform online clustering on unit vectors in a high-dimensional Euclidean space. The algorithm is appropriate when it is necessary to cluster data efficiently as it streams in, and is to be contrasted with traditional batch clustering algorithms that have access to all data at once. For example, Links has been successfully applied to embedding vectors generated from face images or voice recordings for the purpose of recognizing people, thereby providing real-time identification during video or audio capture.
Model predictive control for an AUV with dynamic path planning

This paper investigates the model predictive control (MPC) for an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). We aim to develop a tracking control algorithm integrated with a dynamic path planning for the AUV. Considering that the effective range of onboard sensors cannot be large, we formulate the path planning problem into a receding horizon optimization framework with spline path templates. Once the local optimal path is constructed for the current time, it is viewed as a reference trajectory of the vehicle. In order to control the depth of AUV simultaneously and to have a friendly interaction with the dynamic path planning method, a nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) scheme is adopted. The simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed tracking control algorithm.
Psychosocial and Adaptive Deficits Associated With Learning Disability Subtypes

Children with specific learning disabilities (SLD) have deficits in the basic psychological processes that interfere with learning and academic achievement, and for some SLD subtypes, these deficits can also lead to emotional and/or behavior problems. This study examined psychosocial functioning in 123 students, aged 6 to 11, who underwent comprehensive evaluations for learning and/or behavior problems in two Pacific Northwest school districts. Using concordance-discordance model (C-DM) processing strengths and weaknesses SLD identification criteria, results revealed working memory SLD (n = 20), processing speed SLD (n = 30), executive SLD (n = 32), and no disability groups (n = 41). Of the SLD subtypes, repeated measures MANOVA results revealed the processing speed SLD subtype exhibited the greatest psychosocial and adaptive impairment according to teacher behavior ratings. Findings suggest processing speed deficits may be behind the cognitive and psychosocial disturbances found in what has been termed “nonverbal” SLD. Limitations, implications, and future research needs are addressed.
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy for DNA detection by nanoparticle assembly onto smooth metal films.

A simple, sensitive, and reproducible sensing technique is described for the unambiguous detection of unlabeled single-stranded DNA by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). By self-assembling probe-tethered Ag nanoparticles to a moderately smooth Ag film using the complementary target species, electromagnetic “hot spots” are created which strongly enhance the Raman signal of the species present in the hot spot. These species can include a Raman label (a molecule with a very large Raman cross-section) that dominates the spectrum and generates highly reproducible signals. The self-assembly process does not take place in the absence of the target species. Consequently, a strong SERS signal is observed only in the presence of the target. The SERS signal was also absent in the presence of noncomplementary species. AFM analysis indicates that strong SERS signal intensity arises from only a few surface-bound nanoparticles which generate an enhancement factor ∼105−106 greater than the metal film alone. Nota.
Demonstration of Bit-Serial SFQ-Based Computing for Integer Iteration Algorithms

The Collatz conjecture asserts that by a repeated iteration rule, the operation starting from any positive integer n, eventually produces the value of “1. ” The main contribution of this paper is to demonstrate a single-flux-quantum (SFQ)-based hardware algorithm that performs an exhaustive search to verify the Collatz conjecture. The circuit consists of a 16-bit integer register, a high-frequency clock generator, and a central processor. This design can perform at up to a maximum clock frequency of 90 GHz with a total power consumption of about 0.85 mW in simulation, based on the AIST 10 kA/cm2 advanced Nb process. An LR-biasing approach further reduces the power consumption, whereas the computing speed can be accelerated by a factor of 20 when accelerating approaches are adopted. The assessments show that our design can process 2 × 107 numbers every second with an energy efficiency of about 5 × 1010 numbers per Joule.
Establishing smoke-free hospitals in Vietnam: A pilot project

In Vietnam, a pilot ‘smoke-free hospital’ model was implemented in nine hospitals in 2009–2010 to supply lessons learned that would facilitate a replication of this model elsewhere. This study aimed to assess smoking patterns among health professionals and to detect levels of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure within hospital premises before and after the ‘smoke-free hospital’ model implementation. A pre- and post-intervention cross-sectional study was conducted in nine purposively selected hospitals. Air nicotine levels were measured using passive nicotine monitors; smoking evidence was collected through on-site observations; and smoking patterns were assessed through interviews with health workers. Despite the ‘smoke-free hospital’ intervention, smoking continued among health-care workers who were former smokers. Specifically, self-reported smoking prevalence significantly decreased post-intervention, but the number of daily cigarettes smoked at workplaces among male health workers remained unchanged. Post-intervention, smoking was more likely to take place outside buildings and cafeterias. However, air nicotine levels in the doctors' lounges and in emergency departments did not change post-intervention. Air nicotine levels at other sites decreased minimally. Tailored tobacco cessation programmes, targeting current smokers and mechanisms to enforce non-smoking, should be established to meet requirements of Vietnam's comprehensive National Tobacco Control Law effective in May 2013.
Addressing web locator fragility: a case for browser extensions

Web locators uniquely identify elements on the Web Content. They are heavily used in different scenarios, from Web harvesting to Web testing and browser extensions. Locators' Achilles heel is their fragility upon Website upgrades. This work tackles locator fragility in the context of browser extensions. We introduce regenerative locator, i.e. traditional structure-based locators which are supplemented with contingency data from the target node. The aim: keeping browser extensions up and running for as long as possible. Eight case studies are analysed by considering real Website upgrades taken from Wayback Machine. Figures indicate a 70% success in regenerating broken locators without interrupting extension functioning.
Investment in Corn-Ethanol Plants in the Midwestern United States ∗

Ethanol has attracted considerable policy attention both for its use as a gasoline substitute, and as a way to enhance profits in rural areas. In this paper we examine how economic factors, government policies, and strategic interactions affect decisions about whether and when to invest in building a new ethanol plant. We model the decision to invest in ethanol plants at the county level using both reduced-form discrete response models and a structural model of a dynamic game. We focus on investment in corn-ethanol plants in the Midwestern United States, where the majority of corn in the US is grown, over the period 1996-2008. According to the results of the structural model, our preferred model, the intensity of corn production; government policies, particularly the MTBE ban and the 2007 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2); and private information shocks all have significant effects on ethanol investment payoffs and decisions. We use the estimated structural parameters to simulate counterfactual policy scenarios to disentangle the impacts of state and national policies on the timing and location of investment in the industry. We find that, of the policies analyzed, the MTBE ban and the RFS2 led to most of the investment during this time period.
Simulated annealing algorithm for the fault covering of redundant RAMs

The authors present a fast simulated annealing algorithm for the problem of fault covering of redundant RAMs. The authors propose a simple representation of repair solutions from which they derive a natural definition of moves and neighboring solutions. The algorithm has been implemented and tested on some benchmark problems. The results show that the method not only produces very good quality solutions, but also runs very fast. In fact, for all the repairable chips, the simulated annealing algorithm finds a repair solution within a second for various problem sizes. <<ETX>>
A Comparison between Subjective Memory Complaints and Objective Memory Deficits in Elderly Patients with Depression or Mild Cognitive Impairment 2

Objective: Since depression in the elderly is usually accompanied by memory complaints and may impair memory functions, differential diagnosis of cognitive impairment is quite difficult. This study aimed to investigate the discrepancy between subjective memory complaints (SMC) and objective memory deficits in elderly patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).