Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stabilized landfill leachate treatment using Guadua amplexifolia bamboo as a source of activated carbon: kinetics study

ABSTRACT In the present study, the characteristics of leachate generated from dumpsite called ‘Zapote’ located in southern region of Tamaulipas, Mexico were evaluated. The adsorption of non-biodegradable organic matter measured as chemical oxygen demand (COD), color and heavy metals from leachate on activated carbon (AC) prepared in acid media from Guadua amplexifolia bamboo has been studied. In addition, the computation of kinetic parameters during the adsorption process as well as the most probable mechanisms was determined. The ACs were analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The experimental data showed that the ACs removed up to 81.4% of color and reduced COD up to 91.6% after 9 h of reaction at 60°C. For heavy metals, the maximum adsorption uptake was achieved at pH = 8.0 within 20 min with removal percentages of 87.0% (Pb(II)), 43.0% (Cu(II)) and 30.5% (Ni(II)). A pseudo-second-order model explained the adsorption kinetics most effectively for Pb, Ni and Cu, while a pseudo-first order was found for Zn. The AC synthesized from the G. amplexifolia species could be potentially used as an effective adsorbent in the reduction of COD, and removal of color and heavy metals.
Scaffolding of Keap1 to the actin cytoskeleton controls the function of Nrf2 as key regulator of cytoprotective phase 2 genes

Transcription factor Nrf2 regulates basal and inducible expression of phase 2 proteins that protect animal cells against the toxic effects of electrophiles and oxidants. Under basal conditions, Nrf2 is sequestered in the cytoplasm by Keap1, a multidomain, cysteinerich protein that is bound to the actin cytoskeleton. Keap1 acts both as a repressor of the Nrf2 transactivation and as a sensor of phase 2 inducers. Electrophiles and oxidants disrupt the Keap1–Nrf2 complex, resulting in nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, where it enhances the transcription of phase 2 genes via a common upstream regulatory element, the antioxidant response element. Reporter cotransfection–transactivation analyses with a series of Keap1 deletion mutants revealed that in the absence of the double glycine repeat domain Keap1 does not bind to Nrf2. In addition, deletion of either the intervening region or the C-terminal region also abolished the ability of Keap1 to sequester Nrf2, indicating that all of these domains contribute to the repressor activity of Keap1. Immunocytochemical and immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated that Keap1 associates with actin filaments in the cytoplasm through its double glycine repeat domain. Importantly, disruption of the actin cytoskeleton promotes nuclear entry of an Nrf2 reporter protein. The actin cytoskeleton therefore provides scaffolding that is essential for the function of Keap1, which is the sensor for oxidative and electrophilic stress.
Stressors, coping, and coping effectiveness: Gender, type of sport, and skill differences

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine stressors, coping, and coping effectiveness as a function of gender, type of sport, and skill. The sample consisted of 749 undergraduate athletes (455 males, 294 females) aged 18 – 38 years (mean = 19.8 years). Skill was classified as international/national, county, university, and club standard. Participants completed a stressor and coping concept map (Novak & Gowin, 1984). The results revealed gender, type of sport, and skill differences in relation to stressor frequencies, coping strategy deployment, and coping effectiveness. In contrast to previous research, females used a variety of problem-focused (e.g. planning, communication, technique-orientated coping) strategies more frequently than males. Team sport athletes reported a variety of sport-specific stressors relating to the demands of playing in a team environment. The group of national/international athletes reported using more planning, blocking, and visualization, and also reported that their coping was more effective than that of less-skilled athletes.
Multilocus phylogeography of the Patagonian lizard complex Liolaemus kriegi (Iguania: Liolaemini)

This study presents a detailed phylogeographical analysis of one of the most conspicuous groups of lizards in northwestern Patagonia, the Liolaemus kriegi complex. This region is geographically very complex as a result of Andean orogeny and subsequent volcanism coupled with a long history of glaciations and climatic changes. For 247 individuals we sequenced one mitochondrial gene (cytochrome b) and for a subset we sequenced another mitochondrial gene [12S ribosomal RNA (12S)] and two nuclear fragments [kinesin family member 24 (KIF24) and BA3 ribosomal RNA (BA3)]. We obtained gene trees and mitochondrial and nuclear haploytpe networks, and estimated genetic distances between the main lineages and basic molecular diversity indices. We also performed spatial analysis of molecular variance (SAMOVA) and Bayesian Skyline Plot (BSP) analyses, and concordant patterns from different lines of evidence permitted delimitation of seven lineages: two described species, Liolaemus buergeri and Liolaemus tregenzai; four candidate species, Liolaemus sp. A, Liolaemus sp. B, Liolaemus sp. C, and Liolaemus sp. D; and one lineage that includes all individuals from the geographical range of Liolaemus ceii and L. kriegi, referred to as L. kriegi + L. ceii. We discuss the evolutionary processes that may contribute to the origin of these lineages and their taxonomic and conservation implications. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 113, 256–269.
The UCSC Genome Browser.

The University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Genome Browser is a popular Web-based tool for quickly displaying a requested portion of a genome at any scale, accompanied by a series of aligned annotation "tracks. " The annotations generated by the UCSC Genome Bioinformatics Group and external collaborators include gene predictions, mRNA and expressed sequence tag alignments, simple nucleotide polymorphisms, expression and regulatory data, phenotype and variation data, and pairwise and multiple-species comparative genomics data. All information relevant to a region is presented in one window, facilitating biological analysis and interpretation. The database tables underlying the Genome Browser tracks can be viewed, downloaded, and manipulated using another Web-based application, the UCSC Table Browser. Users can upload personal datasets in a wide variety of formats as custom annotation tracks in both browsers for research or educational purposes. This unit describes how to use the Genome Browser and Table Browser for genome analysis, download the underlying database tables, and create and display custom annotation tracks.
Robust pinch estimation and detection algorithm for low-cost anti-pinch window control systems

A practical pinch torque estimator based on the Kalman filter is proposed for low-cost anti-pinch window control systems. To obtain the accurate angular velocity from Hall-effect sensor measurements, the angular velocity calculation algorithm is proposed by including the measurement noise reduction logics. Apart from the previous works based on the angular velocity or torque estimates for detecting the pinched condition, the proposed pinch detection algorithm makes use of the torque rate information. To do this, the torque rate is augmented to the system model and the torque rate estimator is derived by applying the steady-state Kalman filter recursion to the model. The motivation of this approach comes from the idea that the torque rate is less sensitive to the motor parameter uncertainties. Hence, the proposed scheme minimizes the anti-pinch window control system's exposure to the false alarm. To detect the pinched condition, a systematic way to determine the threshold level of the torque rate estimates is also suggested via the deterministic estimation error analysis. Experimental results certify the pinch detection performance of the proposed algorithm and its robustness against the motor parameter uncertainties.
Prediction of maximal oxygen uptake from submaximal exercise testing in aerobically fit and nonfit men.

Aerobic physical fitness, as determined by the body's maximal capacity to utilize oxygen (VO2max) during demanding work, is an important determinant of a person's ability to perform many military tasks. The present 2.4 km (1.5 mi) run has not proven itself capable of accurately estimating this important factor on a periodic basis. This paper reviews prior studies of heart rate response to known workloads on a cycle ergometer to estimate VO2max. This submaximal test, as revised by scientists at the USAF Armstrong Laboratory at Brooks AFB, TX, was validated on 22 male subjects by comparing the test results with laboratory measurements of VO2max obtained by analysis of expired air during maximal treadmill exercise. Two groups of subjects were selected; one consisting of highly trained runners and the other of inactive subjects who did not perform regular aerobic exercise. The cycle ergometry prediction underestimated measured VO2max by 8.1 ml.kg-1 x min-1 (SEE = 4.25) in all subjects, but there was a correlation of 0.95 between the estimated and measured values. Both estimated and measured VO2max were significantly higher in the group of trained runners than in the inactive subjects.
Healing Traditions: Culture, Community and Mental Health Promotion with Canadian Aboriginal Peoples

Objective: To identify issues and concepts to guide the development of culturally appropriate mental health promotion strategies with Aboriginal populations and communities in Canada. Methods: We review recent literature examining the links between the history of colonialism and government interventions (including the residential school system, out-adoption, and centralised bureaucratic control) and the mental health of Canadian Aboriginal peoples. Results: There are high rates of social problems, demoralisation, depression, substance abuse, suicide and other mental health problems in many, though not all, Aboriginal communities. Although direct causal links are difficult to demonstrate with quantitative methods, there is clear and compelling evidence that the long history of cultural oppression and marginalisation has contributed to the high levels of mental health problems found in many communities. There is evidence that strengthening ethnocultural identity, community integration and political empowerment can contribute to improving mental health in this population. Conclusions: The social origins of mental health problems in Aboriginal communities demand social and political solutions. Research on variations in the prevalence of mental health disorders across communities may provide important information about community-level variables to supplement literature that focuses primarily on individual-level factors. Mental health promotion that emphasises youth and community empowerment is likely to have broad effects on mental health and wellbeing in Aboriginal communities.
On Rough Mapping

Rough function, presented by Pawlak, an extension of rough set theory, is significant in many areas. The rough mapping can be interpreted as an extension to rough function. The concept of rough mapping and its properties are given under the general binary relations in this paper. We present some ideas concerning rough mapping under the general binary relations, discuss some properties about it, and discuss the characteristic relationships between the general binary relations and rough mapping’s approximation operators.
Mineral loss in incipient caries lesions quantified with laser fluorescence and longitudinal microradiography. A methodologic study.

The laser fluorescence method (LAF) was validated with longitudinal microradiography (LMR) for assessment of mineral loss in incipient caries lesions in human enamel. Fluorescence radiance scans and LMR recordings were made of 36 enamel slabs with incipient lesions. Original sound values for fluorescence radiance and enamel amount (kg.m-2) at the lesion site were reconstructed by a computer algorithm. Changes in fluorescence radiance and amount of enamel in each measuring point were calculated. The reconstruction method was tested on 20 sound enamel surfaces. The differences between measured and reconstructed values were -0.13 +/- 0.17% with LAF and 0.002 +/- 0.005 kg.m-2 with LMR. The repeatability of the caries quantification was tested by measuring one lesion 20 times. The fluorescence loss in this lesion was 18.2 +/- 1.0%. The enamel loss was 0.09 +/- 0.02 kg.m-2. The correlation between measurements with the two methods was r = 0.73. The non-destructive laser fluorescence method was concluded to be a sensitive and valid method for quantification of mineral loss in enamel caries lesions.
Comparison of methods of computing correlated lognormal sum distributions and outages for digital wireless applications

Several approaches that can be used to compute the distribution of a sum of correlated lognormal random variables (RVs) are investigated. The aim is to determine which method is best for computing the complementary distribution function (CDF) of a sum of correlated lognormal RVs considering both accuracy and computational effort. Then, using these techniques, we compute the outage probability of a desired lognormal shadowed signal in the presence of multiple correlated lognormal cochannel interferers. The outage results are presented as a function of the reuse factor. Simulation results are used for verification and comparison. Overall, the results obtained in this paper show that among the three methods considered in this paper Wilkinson's approach may be the best method to compute tire CDF of sums of correlated lognormal RVs (and hence the outage probability in correlated lognormal shadowed mobile radio environments). This is due to both its accuracy and computational simplicity over the range of parameters valid for practical applications. <<ETX>>
Decrease in the incidence of post‐dural puncture headache: maintaining CSF volume

The incidence of epidural needle‐induced post‐dural puncture headache (PDPH) in parturients following dural puncture with a large bore (18‐gauge) needle has been reported to range 76–85%. We describe seven cases in which the performance of epidural anesthesia in parturients was complicated by an unintentional dural puncture with an 18‐gauge epidural needle. In all seven cases, the unintentional dural puncture was followed by (i) injection of the CSF in the glass syringe back into the subarachnoid space through the epidural needle, (ii) insertion of a epidural catheter into the subarachnoid space (now referred to as an intrathecal catheter), (iii) injection of a small amount of preservative free saline (3–5 ml) into the subarachnoid space through the intrathecal catheter, (iv) administration of bolus and then continuous intrathecal labor analgesia through the intrathecal catheter and then (v) leaving the intrathecal catheter in‐situ for a total of 12–20 h. PDPH occurred in only one of these cases (14%).
The Use of Fluoroquinolones as Antiinfective Transition‐Therapy Agents in Community‐Acquired Pneumonia

The newer quinolone antibiotics, including levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and gatifloxacin, offer coverage of the likely pathogens in community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) and have been shown to be safe and effective treatments for CAP. Two of these agents, levofloxacin and gatifloxacin, have pharmacokinetic and antibacterial properties that are similar in both oral and intravenous formulations. As such, they may be excellent candidates for transition therapy involving early switch from intravenous to oral therapy followed by early hospital discharge for patients with CAP.
Integrability conditions for space-time stochastic integrals: Theory and applications

We derive explicit integrability conditions for stochastic integrals taken over time and space driven by a random measure. Our main tool is a canonical decomposition of a random measure which extends the results from the purely temporal case. We show that the characteristics of this decomposition can be chosen as predictable strict random measures, and we compute the characteristics of the stochastic integral process. We apply our conditions to a variety of examples, in particular to ambit processes, which represent a rich model class.
Epidemiological Profile and Characterization of Oral and Maxillofacial injuries in Women Victims of Interpersonal Violence

El objetivo fue determinar el perfil epidemiologico de mujeres victimas de violencia y las lesiones que les acometieron la region oral y maxilofacial. Se trata de un estudio sobre datos secundarios realizado a partir del analisis de 470 informes periciales de violencia domestica contra mujeres, recopilados entre enero del 2007 a diciembre del 2011, en el area de Odontologia del Instituto Medico Legal de Feira de Santana (Bahia/Brasil). La mayoria de las mujeres estudiadas eran afrocaucasicas (72,6 %), solteras (74,9 %), con un promedio de edad de 30,4 anos. En relacion a la localizacion extraoral, las regiones bucal (51 %) y orbital (8,8 %) fueron las mas afectadas. Los dientes (50,8 %) y la mucosa labial (35 %) fueron las estructuras intraorales mas afectadas. En la mayoria de los casos, las lesiones estaban asociadas a un agresor con una relacion cercana a las mujeres. Las lesiones mas prevalentes fueron edemas, fracturas, luxacion dental y equimosis. Estas hallazgos pueden colaborar en el desarrollo de acciones para combatir la violencia contra la mujer y para la seguridad publica.
Fiber In-Line Mach–Zehnder Interferometer Embedded in FBG for Simultaneous Refractive Index and Temperature Measurement

An ultracompact optical fiber sensor based on a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) embedded in fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated for simultaneous refractive index (RI) and temperature measurement. By use of the resonant wavelength of the FBG and the interference dip of the MZI, the RI and temperature of the surrounding medium can be unambiguously determined. The interesting properties of the sensor include good operation linearity, extremely high RI sensitivity up to ~ -9148 nm/RI unit in the RI range between 1.30 and 1.325, and precise sensing location, determined by the MZI cavity created.
SOCS3 Deletion in B Cells Alters Cytokine Responses and Germinal Center Output

B cell behavior is fine-tuned by internal regulatory mechanisms and external cues such as cytokines and chemokines. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is a key regulator of STAT3-dependent cytokine responses in many cell types and has been reported to inhibit CXCL12-induced retention of immature B cells in the bone marrow. Using mice with SOCS3 exclusively deleted in the B cell lineage (Socs3Δ/Δmb1cre+), we analyzed the role of SOCS3 in the response of these cells to CXCL12 and the STAT3-inducing cytokines IL-6 and IL-21. Our findings refute a B cell-intrinsic role for SOCS3 in B cell development, because SOCS3 deletion in the B lineage did not affect B cell populations in naive mice. SOCS3 was strongly induced in B cells stimulated with IL-21 and in plasma cells exposed to IL-6. Its deletion permitted excessive and prolonged STAT3 signaling following IL-6 stimulation of plasma cells and, in a T cell-dependent immunization model, reduced the number of germinal center B cells formed and altered the production of Ag-specific IgM and IgE. These data demonstrate a novel regulatory signal transduction circuit in plasma cells, providing, to our knowledge, the first evidence of how these long-lived, sessile cells respond to the external signals that mediate their longevity.
Using ecological propensity score to adjust for missing confounders in small area studies

&NA; Small area ecological studies are commonly used in epidemiology to assess the impact of area level risk factors on health outcomes when data are only available in an aggregated form. However, the resulting estimates are often biased due to unmeasured confounders, which typically are not available from the standard administrative registries used for these studies. Extra information on confounders can be provided through external data sets such as surveys or cohorts, where the data are available at the individual level rather than at the area level; however, such data typically lack the geographical coverage of administrative registries. We develop a framework of analysis which combines ecological and individual level data from different sources to provide an adjusted estimate of area level risk factors which is less biased. Our method (i) summarizes all available individual level confounders into an area level scalar variable, which we call ecological propensity score (EPS), (ii) implements a hierarchical structured approach to impute the values of EPS whenever they are missing, and (iii) includes the estimated and imputed EPS into the ecological regression linking the risk factors to the health outcome. Through a simulation study, we show that integrating individual level data into small area analyses via EPS is a promising method to reduce the bias intrinsic in ecological studies due to unmeasured confounders; we also apply the method to a real case study to evaluate the effect of air pollution on coronary heart disease hospital admissions in Greater London.
Securitization and Asset Prices

We investigate the link between securitization and asset prices and show that increases in the growth rate of the volume of ABS issuance lead to a sizable decline in bond and equity premia. Furthermore, we show that in a model where banks select their portfolio of assets and create synthetic securities, the compensation for undertaking risk decreases as securitization increases. The pooling and tranching of credit assets relaxes both the funding and the risk constraints banks face allowing them to increase balance sheet holdings. Accordingly, the drop in risk premium may be unrelated to a decline in actual risk.
PECAM‐1 (CD31) engagement activates a phosphoinositide‐independent, nonspecific cation channel in endothelial cells

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM‐1) has been found to modulate a range of endothelial processes, including leukocyte transmigration, angiogenesis, migration, and monolayer permeability through unknown signaling mechanisms. Previous studies have shown that antibody engagement of PECAM‐1 yields prolonged calcium transients in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and in REN cells, an endothelia‐like mesothelioma‐derived cell line, stably transfected with PECAM‐1 (RHP cells). To define the mechanisms underlying PECAM‐1‐dependent calcium transients in endothelial cells, patch clamp experiments were conducted in HUVEC and in REN cells stably transfected with wild‐type and mutant PECAM‐1. Engagement of PECAM‐1 with monoclonal antibodies, Fab fragments, and a soluble PECAM‐1/Ig homophilic ligand elicited a prolonged inward current, inhibited by genistein, which required an intact PECAM‐1 cytoplasmic domain and Src kinase activity. The channel mediating this PECAM‐1‐dependent current is a calcium‐permeant, voltage‐independent, nonselective cation (NSC) channel with kinetics similar to store‐operated or depletion‐activated channels that mediate capacitative calcium entry in endothelial cells. However, PECAM‐1‐dependent current activation was independent of IP3‐gated Ca+2 store release, phosphoinositide turnover, or intracellular calcium elevation. This PECAM‐1‐regulated current represents a novel calcium signaling pathway that may play a significant role in the range of endothelial physiologic processes, such as neutrophil transmigration, that are modulated by PECAM‐1.