Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Characterization of a New Fungal Species, Chrysosporium ophiodiicola, from a Mycotic Granuloma of a Black Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta)

ABSTRACT Isolation and characterization of the new species Chrysosporium ophiodiicola from a mycotic granuloma of a black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) are reported. Analysis of the sequences of different fragments of the ribosomal genes demonstrated that this species belongs to the Onygenales and that this species is genetically different from other morphologically similar species of Chrysosporium. This new species is unique in having both narrow and cylindrical-to-slightly clavate conidia and a strong, pungent odor.
Sphere: A novel platform for increasing safety & security on Unmanned Systems

The Healthy, Mobility and Security-based Data Communication Architecture, also known as HAMSTER, is provided with a special platform for safety & security: Sphere. It concentrates all the safety & security aspects of the main architecture and all derivative versions. The aim is to define patterns for assuring safety & security that allow every unmanned vehicle derived from HAMSTER to safely share information, even when different scenarios are involved, e. g. to permit the safe communication between an unmanned ground vehicle and an unmanned aerial vehicle. It is also a goal of Sphere to centralize the modules “health” check, which guarantees a safer operation for the vehicle and, consequently, the entire system. Modules and subsystems criticality measurements are proposed as part of the architecture definition for research &development of robust, safe, health and secure unmanned vehicles and systems.
Automating functional coverage analysis based on an executable specification

This paper presents a novel approach for functional coverage analysis automation. It is well known that functional verification is a real bottleneck in any digital design development. Consequently, it is necessary to develop new methodologies to increase the quality of functional verification. A metric that measures the functional coverage is specific to each design, and it depends on its functional requirements. Hence, we propose a methodology supported by a tool that automates the coverage analysis at the functional level. Our tool takes as entry a standard executable specification and generates test bench components aimed at performing a functional coverage analysis on a specific design. We use functional metrics as parameters in our tool and apply theses metrics on an executable specification. Using our methodology, we are able to provide a quantitative evaluation of test suites developed to exercise the functionality defined in an executable specification. The application of these test suites on a RTL design improves error detection, through a better exploration of the design. It also increases the degree of confidence in the design.
Motivating Agents: How Much Does the Mission Matter?

Economic theory predicts that agents work harder if they believe in the mission of the organization. We conduct a real-effort experiment with workers whose mission preferences are known, randomly assigning them to organizations with clear missions to create both matches and mismatches. Our estimates suggest that matching is a strong motivator, especially compared to mismatches. Further, we find that performance pay increases effort, though mostly among mismatched workers who substitute pay for matching. Our results suggest the importance of defining a clear mission to an organization and highlight the significance of sorting, screening, and compensation policies.
Landmark detection on cephalometric radiology images through combining classifiers

This paper, presents a new cephalometric landmark localization method based on combining two classifier results. Initially, a classifier based on histograms of oriented gradients makes a first estimation of the potential windows, and then a second classifier, based on histograms of gray profile, classifies the detected windows. By combining the results of these two classifiers, final decision is made about the landmark window location. HOG features gather edge profiles in the image and making decision for the most proper window in some detection windows needs more information than just edge profiles. By adding the gray profile features to the system and combining the results in a proper manner, detection performance increases significantly for a range of hard to easy landmarks.
Experimental demonstration of a fully digital capacitive sensor interface built entirely using carbon-nanotube FETs

This paper presents a complete sensor interface implemented entirely using CNFETs that can be fabricated reproducibly in a VLSI-compatible fashion. This is made possible by using the imperfection-immune paradigm [4], which successfully overcomes major obstacles for CNFET-based circuits: mis-positioned and metallic carbon nanotubes (CNTs). 44 CNFETs, each consisting of 10 to 200 CNTs depending on transistor sizing, are used to build the circuit. In contrast, earlier demonstrations of CNFET-based circuits included only small stand-alone components such as an adder sum, latch, percolation transport-based decoder, and ring oscillator on a single CNT [4]. Because it is easier to implement digital circuits using immature technologies compared to analog circuits, highly-digital sensor interfaces such as the PLL-based design in [5] are ideal implementations when using a new technology. The implemented capacitive sensor interface is based on a first-order Bang-Bang Phase-Locked Loop (BBPLL) digital architecture, which processes the sensor information entirely in the frequency domain (Fig. 6.8.1). Its funcationality is described in detail in [5].
Voice and quality of life in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in a northern Sweden cohort

Abstract Conclusion: The frequency of operations, age at onset, gender and subtype of the human papilloma virus (HPV) may be used as factors to predict voice disability. Objectives: Patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) are characterized by morbid consequences due to a lifelong repetitive influence on voice and breathing ability and the need for recurrent surgical treatments. The aim of the study was to measure the quality of voice and life using evaluated and validated questionnaires in a northern Sweden RRP population. Methods: A total of 27 consecutive patients with RRP (age 21–71 years, median 47 years) were evaluated 3 months postoperatively (CO2 laser treatment) using the voice handicap index (VHI) and SF-36 questionnaires to assess the impact on life and voice in an RRP population. The values were compared to historical normative data, VHI ≤ 20. Results: Patients that underwent more than one operation per year were younger (p = 0.028) than those treated less frequently. The mean VHItotal score in patients with RRP was 39.3, indicating a statistically significant impairment of voice quality (p < 0.001) as compared with normal subjects. Voice dysfunction was observed in 21 patients (78%). Significantly lower values than the normal population regarding the quality of life in patients with RRP were obtained in the domain of social functioning (p = 0.029). Females, patients with frequent surgical treatment sessions and patients with the high-risk HPV types scored significantly lower in several domains of the quality of life assessment as compared with normal subjects. The results should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of subjects.
Spin-Torque Effect on Thermally Excited Magnetization Fluctuation Noise in Tunneling Magnetoresistive Read Heads

The spin-torque (ST) effect on the thermally excited magnetization fluctuation noise (thermal mag-noise) in tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) read heads is investigated in the GHz range using noise spectra. The strong noise spectral peak around 3.1 GHz is attributed to thermal mag-noise originating from the free layer. The peak intensity and linewidth strongly depend on both the external magnetic field and current density. These features demonstrate that the ST effect significantly influences the thermal mag-noise as the current density increases up to the critical current density. Additionally, it is speculated that the non-thermal fluctuation noise originating from ST in the TMR heads as well as in current perpendicular to plane giant magnetoresistive (CPP-GMR) heads is generated above a critical current of approximately 2.5×1011 A/m2.
Modeling of the induction machine for the diagnosis of rotor defects. Part. II. Simulation and experimental results

For part I see ibid., p.Z001665-Z001672. Two softwares are coupled for the parameter calculation and the differential integration of the dynamic model of the squirrel cage rotor induction machine, in part. II of this paper. From theoretical study of the induction machine by an approach of multiple coupled circuits, we worked out the necessary various blocks to simulation. The calculation of machine inductances (with and without rotor defects) is carried out by the tools of software MATLAB before the beginning of simulation under Software SIMULINK. The machine parameters are then computed by using the concepts of the construction of electric machines. Simulation and experimental results are presented to confirm the validity of proposed model.
Insomnia as a Health Risk Factor

This article reviewed insomnia epidemiological research, identifying areas where insomnia was a risk factor and isolating areas deserving of further investigation. Insomnia was consistently predictive of depression, anxiety disorders, other psychological disorders, alcohol abuse or dependence, drug abuse or dependence, and suicide, indicating insomnia is a risk factor for these difficulties. Additionally, insomnia was related to decreased immune functioning. The data were inconclusive regarding insomnia as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality, but sleep medication use was predictive of mortality. These results must be tempered with the knowledge that significant weaknesses existed in the studies reviewed. The main weaknesses were inadequate definition of insomnia and inadequate control for alternative explanations. Despite these limitations, this review suggests that insomnia is a risk factor for poor mental and physical health.
Abnormal expression of chemokine receptors on T-cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

The expressionof chemokinereceptors on T-cells and chemokinelevels in the blood was studied in 23 patients with SLE (ACR criteria), seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in 15 healthy controls using flow cytometry, RT-PCR and ELISA. The cell surface expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR5 and CCR6 was decreased in SLE patients compared with controls (P 0.051 and P 0.002, respectively). The decrease of CXCR5 was confined to SLE patients with inactive disease (SLEDAI < 6) compared with active disease (SLEDAI ≥6) and controls. CXCR2 and CCR1 were increased in patients with active SLE compared with patients with inactive disease (P 0.001 and P 0.01, respectively) and with controls (P 0.02 and P 0.053, respectively). The levels of the chemokines MIP-1b MCP-1, SDF-1a, IP-10 and RANTES were significantly elevated in SLE patients compared with controls. Patients with renal involvement had increased surface expression of CXCR3 and CCR3 (P 0.04 in both) and a lower level of soluble IP-10 compared with patients without renal disease (P 0.025) and compared with controls (P 0.001). The ratio between CCR5 and CCR3 was significantly increased in RA patients compared with SLE patients and controls supporting a Th1 overweight in RA. In conclusion, patients with SLE showed abnormal T-cell expression of several chemokine receptors and levels of soluble chemokines in their plasma/serum.
Balancing Retailer Inventories

This paper examines the optimality of inventory “balancing” in a one-warehouse N-retailer distribution system facing stochastic demand for a single product over T successive time intervals. In particular, we consider the division of predetermined quantities of warehouse stock among retailers in each interval. Balancing attempts to bring the retailer-inventories to the same (normalized with respect to first-interval demand) net inventory level. When the demand distribution over the T periods is symmetric with respect to all pairs of retailers, and retailer cost over the T-intervals is a convex function of the T shipments, we show that balancing divisions are optimal. The required convexity condition is shown to be satisfied for some familiar cost functions when shortages are backordered and lost. However for other cost functions, the convexity condition is satisfied under backordering, but not under lost sales. We also consider the nonidentical-retailer (demands are not symmetric) case and provide examples.
Nicotinic Acid Inhibits Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion Via the G Protein-Coupled Receptor PUMA-G in Murine Islet &bgr; Cells

Objectives: Chronic administration of nicotinic acid (NA), a potent antilipidemic compound, aggravates glycemic control in diabetic patients. It is not known if NA has direct effects on islet &bgr; cells. Methods: Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence techniques were used to examine the expression of NA receptor PUMA-G, a member of the G protein-coupled receptor (G-PCR) family, in murine islet &bgr; cells. Calcium transient was measured using confocal microscopy, whereas the intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from isolated islets were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: High levels of PUMA-G transcripts and protein were detected in all &bgr; cells, and about 40% of &agr; cells. PUMA-G transcripts increased more than 3-fold in islets incubated with interferon &ggr;. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation, induced by IBMX/forskolin, was inhibited by NA; however, the inhibition was completely abolished by pretreatment of the culture with pertussis toxin. No calcium transient was detected in islet cells in the presence of NA. Static incubation of islets with NA led to an approximately 30% reduction of GSIS. Conclusions: The results indicated that PUMA-G stimulation by NA in islet &bgr; cells inhibited GSIS likely via activation of the Gi signaling pathway.
Active all-optical spectral tuning of nanorod plasmonic nanoantennas

We suggest a novel all-optical spectral tuning mechanism over subwavelength light focusing with a plasmonic nanorod nanoantenna. The tunability originates from the manipulation of Fano resonances in an auxiliary intermediate resonator that couples the nanoantenna with a far-field light source. Our approach presents a decisive step toward active spectral tuning of plasmonic nanoantennas without relying on nonlinear optical effects or mechanical reconfiguration of the antenna.
Advantages and Limitations of New Sports ProstheticComponents Developed for Running in Lower LimbAmputees

Until some years ago, running in lower limb amputees was basically restricted by the inadequate dimensions of available prosthetic components that usually did not allow for the adequate dynamics necessary for running at lower speeds. Newly developed prosthetic components for recreational sports have enabled a great number of lower limb amputees to participate in running as an endurance sport. The present paper compares biomechanical parameters representing the functional benefits that result from the use of these components. Nine transfemoral (TF) and 5 transtibial (TT) amputees were enrolled in the study. Measurements of running were conducted in a motion lab. During running, ground reaction forces and kinematic characteristics were measured both for the prosthetic and the sound side. The results were used to define potential advantages and limitations of lower limb amputee running depending on the level of amputation. The motion pattern of TT amputees is similar to that of non-amputees. Running of TF amputees is characterised by specific constraints based on the absence of knee stabilising muscles and the technical features of prosthetic components. For this reason, a specific compensatory motion pattern is necessary for runners with an amputation above the knee joint.
Quantification of ultraviolet radiation-induced DNA damage in the urine of Swedish adults and children following exposure to sunlight

Context: DNA damage following exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is important in skin cancer development. The predominant photoproduct, cyclobutane thymine dimer (T=T), is repaired and excreted in the urine, where it provides a biomarker of exposure. Objective: To quantify urinary T=T levels after recreational sunlight exposure in adults and children. Methods: Average UVR doses were measured with personal dosimeters. Urinary T=T was analysed with 32P-postlabelling. Results: Background levels of T=T increased significantly following exposure to sunlight. Amounts of T=T in urine of children and adults were not significantly different after adjusting for area of skin exposed and physiological differences. UVR dose and amounts of T=T correlated for both adults and children. Conclusion: Recreational exposure to sunlight in Sweden induces levels of DNA damage, clearly detectable in urine.
Effect of obesity and morbid obesity on the growth hormone (GH) secretion elicited by the combined GHRH + GHRP‐6 test

Objective Obesity is characterized by low basal levels of growth hormone (GH) and impeded GH release. However, the main problem arises in the diagnosis of GH deficiency in adults, as all accepted cut‐offs in the diagnostic tests of GH reserve are no longer valid in obese subjects. In this work, the role of obesity in the GH response elicited by the GHRH + GHRP‐6 test was assessed in a large population of obese and nonobese subjects.
Investigating the age-related "anterior shift" in the scalp distribution of the P3b component using principal component analysis.

An age-related "anterior shift" in the distribution of the P3b is often reported. Temporospatial principal component analysis (PCA) was used to investigate the basis of this observation. ERPs were measured in young and old adults during a visual oddball task. PCA revealed two spatially distinct factors in both age groups, identified as the posterior P3b and anterior P3a. Young subjects generated a smaller P3a than P3b, while old subjects generated a P3a that did not differ in amplitude from their P3b. Rather than having a more anteriorly distributed P3b, old subjects produced a large, temporally overlapping P3a. The pattern of the age-related "anterior shift" in the P3 was similar for target and standard stimuli. The increase in the P3a in elderly adults may not represent a failure to habituate the novelty response, but may reflect greater reliance on executive control operations (P3a) to carry out the categorization/updating process (P3b).
A study in situ of the effect of metallo- and serine proteinase inhibitors on the birefringence of the secretory stage enamel organic extracellular matrix

Abstract Dental enamel formation occurs extracellularly and establishment of an ordered enamel organic extracellular matrix (ECM) seems to be crucial for proper construction of the enamel mineral phase. Polarizing microscopy shows that the ordered supramolecular structure of the secretory stage enamel organic ECM exhibits strong birefringence. We reported earlier that this birefringence is lost in unfixed specimens, probably due to extensive proteolytic cleavage of enamel proteins. Therefore, we investigated the association between enamel proteinase activities by analyzing the effects of metallo- and serine proteinase inhibitors in situ on the birefringence of the secretory stage enamel organic ECM. Male rats were used in the present study. After sacrifice, distal 10 mm fragments of upper incisors were removed and immersed for 15 h under continuous shaking at 37°C in one of the following solutions: 1) 10 mM Tris, pH 8.0; 150 mM NaCl (negative control, n = 8); 2) 2% paraformaldehyde and 0.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.2 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.2 (positive control, n = 5); 3) 10 mM Tris, pH 8.0; 150 mM NaCl; 2 mM 1,10-phenanthroline (n = 9); 4) 10 mM Tris, pH 8.0; 150 mM NaCl; 2 mM phenylmethyl-sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) (n = 8); 5) 10 mM Tris, pH 8.0; 150 mM NaCl; 2 mM 1,10-phenanthroline; 2 mM PMSF (n = 9). Samples then were immersed in fixative solution for 24 h and processed to obtain 5 μm thick longitudinal sections of the secretory stage enamel organic ECM. The sections were immersed in 80% glycerin for 30 min and analyzed by transmitted polarizing light microscopy. 1,10-Phenanthroline (inhibitor of metalloproteinases) and 1,10-phenanthroline + PMSF (inhibitor of serine proteinases) clearly prevented a decrease in the optical retardation of birefringence brightness from the tissue. PMSF alone promoted a slight preservation of the birefringence exhibited by the secretory stage enamel organic ECM. Rapid loss of birefringence in secretory stage enamel organic ECM that is not fixed immediately is caused by enamel proteinases and the activity of metalloproteinases seems to lead to preliminary degradation of the enamel organic ECM, which in turn facilitates subsequent serine proteinase activity.
Plasma heating and generation of energetic ions with novel three-ion ICRF scenarios on Alcator C-Mod and JET tokamak facilities

This talk will report the first experimental results of novel three-ion ICRF scenarios (two or more majority ion species and one minority) for plasma heating and generating energetic ions in fusion facilities [1]. The key feature of these scenarios is strong absorption of RF power possible at lower concentrations of minority ions than in two-ion plasmas. Effective plasma heating by injecting a small amount of 3He ions into H-D plasma mixtures with nH/ne ∼ 70% has been successfully demonstrated in Alcator C-Mod and JET tokamaks. In C-Mod, efficient plasma heating was observed for 3He concentrations from 0.4-2%. During the discharges, a strong increase in Alfvén eigenmode activity was found to coincide with the addition of 3He to the H-D plasmas [2]. Even lower 3He concentrations (∼ 0.2%) were utilized in recent JET experiments. The potential of the D-(3He)-H scenario for plasma heating and generating MeV-range ions in JET plasmas was confirmed by a set of independent measurements, including stabilization of sawteeth, characteristic γ-ray emission, fast-ion loss detector. Furthermore, toroidal Alfvén eigenmodes with a range of toroidal mode numbers n were detected, which is another indication for the presence of significant population of high-energy 3He ions in a plasma. The discussed mechanism of resonant wave-particle interaction opens up various unexplored opportunities for ICRF system, including new scenarios for plasma heating. Three-ion ICRF scenarios are also relevant for the experimental programme of ITER. The possibility of using intrinsic 9Be impurities as the minority (instead of 3He) was suggested for heating bulk ions in D-T plasmas of JET and ITER [3], as well as heating trace amounts of 3He and 4He ions in H majority plasmas of ITER. The latest results and simulation comparisons will be presented. [1] Y. Kazakov et al., Nucl. Fusion 55, 032001 (2015) [2] J. Wright et al. and Y. Lin et al., this conference [3] Y. Kazakov et al., Phys. Plasmas 22, 082511 (2015)