Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bovine respiratory syncytial virus in-situ hybridization from sheep lungs at different times postinfection

Se estudio, mediante la tecnica de hibridacion in situ, la distribucion del ARN viral del virus respiratorio Sincicial Bovino (VRSB) en pulmon de corderos infectados en forma experimental, a diferentes tiempos postinoculacion. La sonda usada para la hibridacion in situ se preparo mediante transcripcion reversa del ARN del VRSB, seguida de la amplificacion mediante PCR de cADN. 25 corderos de raza Merino de ambos sexos y de un peso vivo de 55 (+/- 10) Kg, fueron inoculados por via intratraqueal con 40 ml de solucion salina que contenia 1.26 x 10[elevado a 6] DIM[subindice 50] por ml (cepa viral NMK7). Los corderos se sacrificaron los dias 1, 3, 7, 11 y 15 postinoculacion. Las celulas epiteliales bronquiales y bronquiolares resultaron positivas a los acidos nucleicos de VRSB los dias 1, 3, 7 y 11 postinoculacion. A su vez, el epitelio alveolar contenia celulas positivas los dias 1, 3, y 7 postinoculacion. Se detectaron celulas que contenian el ARN viral en las luces bronquiales y bronquilares del dia 1 al 11 postinoculacion, y en el exudadado alveolar en los dias 3 y 7 postinoculacion. Se identificaron senales positivas de hibridacion desde el dia 3 al 11 postinoculacion, tanto en las celulas intersticiales mononucleares como en el tejido linfoide asociado a los bronquios. Las senales de hibridacion mas intensas se detectaron a los dias 3 y 7 postinoculacion, lo que coincidio con las lesiones histopatologicas de mayor consideracion.
Territoriality and beyond: problematizing modernity in international relations

The concept of territoriality has been studied surprisingly little by students of international politics. Yet, territoriality most distinctively defines modernity in international politics, and changes in few other factors can so powerfully transform the modern world polity. This article seeks to frame the study of the possible transformation of modern territoriality by examining how that system of relations was instituted in the first place. The historical analysis suggests that “unbundled” territoriality is a useful terrain for exploring the condition of postmodernity in international politics and suggests some ways in which that exploration might proceed. The emergence of multiperspectival institutional forms is identified as a key dimension of the condition of postmodernity in international politics.
Investigation of aluminium and indium in situ doping of chemical bath deposited CdS thin films

Aluminum and indium in situ doping of CdS using chemical bath deposition (CBD) is investigated. The effects of Al and In-doping on optical properties as well as on electrical properties, crystal structure, chemistry and morphology of CdS films are studied. Al doping of CdS using CBD is shown to be successful where a resistivity as low as 4.6 × 10−2 Ω cm and a carrier density as high as 1.1 × 1019 cm−3 were achieved. The bandgap of Al-doped films decreases to a minimum of 2.26 eV, then slightly increases and finally saturates at 2.30 eV as the [Al]/[Cd] ratio in solution increases from 0.018 to 0.18. X-ray diffraction studies showed Al3+ ions entering the lattice substitutionally at low concentration and interstitially at high concentration. Phase transition, due to annealing, and induced lattice damage, due to doping, were detected by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Film stoichiometry was found to be sensitive to Al concentration, while film morphology was unaffected by Al doping. Indium doping using CBD, however, was found to be highly unlikely due to the low solubility of indium sulfide. Instead, the formation of InS/In2S3 dominated the deposition process over CdS.
Investigations on the use of an elevated platform in group cages by growing rabbits

The investigation was carried out with altogether 511 caged growing rabbits (ZIKA) in four rounds with a duration of 8 weeks each. Every second cage was equipped with an elevated platform. Water and molassed-crude-fibre-blocks were fed ad libitum during the whole fattening period. Pellets were given additionally by a hopper during the last two weeks. In 5-min-intervals the number of rabbits “staying on the platform”, “staying under the platform” and “staying in front of the platform” – including the behavioural pattern “staying at the feeder” was infrared video-recorded and observed at three consecutive days (at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the fattening period). The behavioural patterns were continuously analysed for 72 h with the aid of “The Observer®” programme (Noldus, NL) and summarised in hour-values (24 h a day, thrice per fattening period for each group). Rabbits showed a circadian rhythm in the use of the elevated platform. During the night, up to 70 % of the rabbits stayed on the elevated platform, whereas during daytime (lighting period) at most 40 % of the rabbits stayed under the platform. During the fattening period, the percentage of rabbits staying on the elevated platform was decreasing. The use of the elevated platform had no significant influence on health and performance of the rabbits (daily weight gain, mortality rate, morbidity rate and body lesion score). So, it can be concluded that the elevated platform is an adequate environmental enrichment for growing rabbits in group cages.
AUTOMATIC SEGMENTATION OF DIABETIC MACULAR EDEMA IN FUNDUS FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAMS

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are leading causes of blindness in the working-age population of most developed countries. The increasing number of individuals with diabetes worldwide suggests that DR and DME will continue to be major contributors to vision loss and associated functional impairment for years to come [1]. Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) is a powerful tool for visualizing and evaluating diabetic macular edema (DME). Nevertheless, current assessment techniques of DME in FAs are qualitative; areas of thickening are enhanced but yet, subject to large interobserver variability also depending on their level of expertise. A necessary step towards quantitative assessment of the disease is automatic segmentation of Fluorescein
Microwave-Induced Combustion Synthesis of Luminescent Aluminate Powders

Due to the current environmental directives concerning the use of hazardous mercury in lighting devices and the necessity to save global energy, new economical and eco-friendly light sources are being developed. In this context, phosphor-converted light emitting diodes (LEDs) appear as the most interesting candidates to replace energy-greedy incandescent light bulbs and fluorescent lamps. Indeed, it is now a mature technology that can compete with the former ones, especially thanks to their long lifetime, low-power consumption, high energy efficiency and robustness (Hoppe 2009; Huang et al. 2009; Smet et al. 2011). However, some drawbacks remain, such as the lack of high colour rendering devices.
On the velocity of turbidity currents over moderate slopes

In the present article we consider the problem of underwater avalanches propagating over moderate slopes. The main goal of our work is to investigate the avalanche front velocity selection mechanism when it propagates downwards. In particular, we show that the front velocity does not depend univocally on the mass of sediments. This phenomenon is investigated and explained in our study. Moreover, we derive from the first principles a depth-averaged model. Then, we assume that sediments are uniformly distributed along the slope. In this case, they can be entrained into the flow head and a self-sustained regime can be established. One of the main findings of our study is that the avalanche front velocity is not unique due to a hysteresis phenomenon. We attempt to explain this phenomenon using dynamical systems considerations.
SPONGE: A generalized eigenproblem for clustering signed networks

We introduce a principled and theoretically sound spectral method for k-way clustering in signed graphs, where the affinity measure between nodes takes either positive or negative values. Our approach is motivated by social balance theory, where the task of clustering aims to decompose the network into dis-joint groups, such that individuals within the same group are connected by as many positive edges as possible, while individuals from different groups are connected by as many negative edges as possible. Our algorithm relies on a generalized eigenproblem formulation inspired by recent work on constrained clustering. We provide theoretical guarantees for our approach in the setting of a signed stochastic block model, by leveraging tools from matrix perturbation theory and random matrix theory. An extensive set of numerical experiments on both synthetic and real data shows that our approach compares favorably with state-of-the-art methods for signed clustering , especially for large number of clusters and sparse measurement graphs.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the Alcohol Dehydrogenase Genes among the 28 Caste and Tribal Populations of India

Abstract We report single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the four sites in ADH2 and ADH3 genes among the 28 populations from southern parts of Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 1048 individuals belonging to 28 endogamous populations distributed in the contiguous areas of the 6 southernmost districts of Andhra Pradesh were enrolled for the present study. Genotyping involved PCR and sequencing. We sequenced exon 3 and 9 of ADH2 and exon 8 of ADH3, besides the ADH2 3’UTR-rs17033 (72 bases down stream of ADH2 Arg369Cys). The two sites of ADH2 (Arg47His and Arg369Cys) are found to be completely monomorphic showing only Arg47 and 369Arg (ADH2*1 allele), the remaining two sites were polymorphic. None of the 28 populations of this study deviated significantly from Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium proportions. The allele frequencies do not show any clear trend across socioeconomic groups. The degree of heterogeneity in the genotype frequencies among the hierarchical groups is significant for Ile349Val (df = 12; χ2 = 22.050) and not for the 3’UTR rs17033 (df = 6; χ2 = 9.765). The haplotype distribution among the hierarchical groups is found to be highly homogeneous and statistically nonsignificant (χ2 = 0.248, df = 18). Linkage disequilibrium does not exist between the two-polymorhic loci. The results were interpreted in the light of cultural patterns of the Indian hierarchical society.
The Satisfaction, Repurchase Intention and Shareholder Value Linkage: A Longitudinal Examination of Fixed and Firm Specific Effects

For virtually all firms, the means of generating shareholder value comes by having customers consistently come back. The measurement of customer satisfaction and repurchase intention is therefore critical to managers and researchers. Unfortunately, recent research studying the effect that 1) satisfaction and 2) repurchase intention have on shareholder value demonstrates inconsistent results. Using multi-source data across 137 firms over the 2000-2009 period, this study examines the impact of customer satisfaction and repurchase intention on a comprehensive list of 13 different shareholder value measures.We use a mixed-effects modeling approach that accounts for time-effects, firm characteristics and unobserved heterogeneity. Our results indicate that repurchase intention completely mediates the relationship between customer satisfaction and shareholder value for the majority of firms, lending support to the idea that the primary path from satisfaction to business outcomes is through customer purchase behavior, and not through other loyalty-related behaviors often attributed to highly satisfied customers.
Wintertime circulation types over the Iberian Peninsula: long-term variability and relationships with weather extremes

This paper analyses atmospheric surface circulation and climatic extremes in the Iberian Peninsula in winter (December–February). Sea level pressure grids (1850–2003) are classified through a simulated annealing clustering into 7 characteristic circulation types (CTs). Daily series of temperature (29 stations) and precipitation (44 stations) started between 1905 and 1950. We investigate which CTs are conducive to extremes at each station by means of their contribution to extreme days compared to non-extremes days, with significance based on a Monte Carlo resampling. Regional features arise in the relationship between CTs and extremes and, taking them into account, some trends in extreme indices from 1950–2003 (period shared by all stations) agree with trends in the frequency of the CTs. Thus, increases in warm days in northern and central stations are consistent with a positive trend in Anticyclone over North Iberia/France; and negative trends in extreme precipitation in the East Cantabrian coast are consistent with a negative trend in the north-westerly flow. Furthermore, low-frequency temporal analyses reveal large (small) changes in extreme temperature (precipitation) days within the CTs. From the mid-1940s onwards, the extreme cold character of the northerly and north-easterly flows diminished, i.e. the frequency of cold nights within these CTs decreased from ~25 to ~15%, whereas from the 1920s to mid-1940s an opposite behaviour occurred (towards a higher frequency of cold nights). Throughout the 20th century, the frequency of warm days within the CTs has increased, especially for the south-westerly and westerly flows from the 1920s to 1950s and since the mid-1970s. Westerly flow was less frequent in the 1980s and 1990s but connected with a higher percentage of extreme precipitation days in West Iberia. This changing frequency of extremes within the CTs indicates that, apart from circulation types, other physical forcings have influenced the occurrence of extremes.
Speci cation Testing in Random Coe cient Models

In this paper, we suggest and analyze a new class of specification tests for random coefficient models. These tests allow to assess the validity of central structural features of the model, in particular linearity in coefficients, generalizations of this notion like a known nonlinear functional relationship, or degeneracy of the distribution of a random coefficient, i.e., whether a coefficient is fixed or random, including whether an associated variable can be omitted altogether. Our tests are nonparametric in nature, and use sieve estimators of the characteristic function. We provide formal power analysis against global as well as against local alternatives. Moreover, we perform a Monte Carlo simulation study, and apply the tests to analyze the degree of nonlinearity in a heterogeneous random coefficients demand model. While we find some evidence against the popular QUAIDS specification with random coefficients, it is not strong enough to reject the specification at the conventional significance level.
INFLUENCE OF AGE, SOCIOECONOMIC AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS ON MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS OF FEMALE PADDY THRESHING WORKERS

 Female workers in India actively participate in different agricultural jobs. Work related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are common among them. The main aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the prevalence of MSD in relation to their age, socioeconomic and nutritional status. For the study 82 female workers engaged in paddy threshing were selected at random from the different villages of different districts in West Bengal state. Socioeconomic Status (SES) was evaluated by modified Kuppuswami Scale. The MSDs of the female threshers were evaluated by the modified Nordic questionnaire method. The Perceived Discomfort Rating (PDR) was assessed during work by a 10-point subjective scale. The nutritional status of the workers was determined by cut-off values of Body Mass Index (BMI) prescribed by WHO. The results revealed that the subjects of upper-lower socioeconomic class had higher prevalence of MSDs than that of the lower-middle class. The MSD was the most prevalent in thigh, knee, shoulder and lower back of the female workers and high values of PDR was noted in those segments. It was noted that the occurrence of MSDs was significantly different (P<0.01) in most of the body segments in underand over-nourished females than that of normal weight counterparts. The higher rate of MSDs and discomfort in different segments of the workers was observed in younger age group (20-35 years.) which might be due to lesser experience and skill in young age than that of the middle age group (36-45 years.). It was concluded that the socioeconomic status, BMI and age of the female threshing workers might be influencing factors for the occurrence of MSDs.
A Data Based Mechanistic real-time flood forecasting module for NFFS FEWS : DBM real-time flood forecasting

The data based mechanistic (DBM) approach for identifying and estimating rainfall to level, and level to level models has been shown to perform well for flood forecasting in several studies. The DELFT-FEWS open shell operational flood forecasting system provides a framework linking hydrological/meteorological real-time data, real-time forecast models, and a human/computer interaction interface. This infrastructure is used by the UK National Flood Forecasting System (NFFS) and the European Flood Alert System (EFAS) among others. The open shell nature of the FEWS framework has been specifically designed to make it easy to add new forecasting models written as FEWS modules. This paper shows the development of the DBM forecast model as a FEWS module and presents results for the Eden catchment (Cumbria UK) as a case study.
Behavior Policies and Teen Traffic Safety

Traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death among teens and young adults, accounting for one-third of all deaths among those 15–20 years of age. The large share of teen mortality attributed to car travel is not entirely unexpected. Driving is an inherently risky activity, and teens rarely die of other nonviolent causes. However, teens also face levels of traffic-related risk that are substantially higher than those of older, more experienced drivers. For example, the teen traffic fatality rate (defined as deaths of 16–19-year-olds per population) is nearly double the rate for adults aged 25 and older. Since teens drive less than adults, this ratio increases to nearly 2.5 when denominated by miles of travel. While these are sobering numbers, teen traffic safety has improved considerably over the past 20 years. Since 1979, the teen traffic fatality rate has fallen by 37 percent. Much of this drop occurred in the 1986–1992 period when rates fell 25 percent. These decreases in teen fatality rates are much larger than the contemporaneous changes for adults aged 25 and older, whose fatality rates fell by 22 percent in the 1979–1997 period, and by 13 percent over the 1986–1992 time frame. The relative improvements of teens are even more impressive when one considers that they have become increasingly dependent on the automobile. Between 1983 and 1995, vehicle miles traveled by teens aged 16–19 nearly doubled. When denominated by vehicle miles traveled, teen fatality rates have fallen by 50 percent since 1983. The gains in teen traffic safety are likely to reflect a number of causes. For example, over this period, there were several advances in car crash-worthiness (e.g., improved designs, increased car weight, the introduction of air bags). However, these improvements also appear to reflect a reduction in risk-taking behind the wheel, in particular, increases in seat-belt use and reductions in drunk driving. In this study, we present some evidence on the efficacy of key state policies in promoting these gains by discussing reduced-form models of traffic fatalities. We also consider whether the life-saving effects of an important policy, minimum legal drinking ages, have been attenuated by a possible shift of alcohol-related traffic risks to young adulthood.
TESTING FOR CHANGES IN KENDALL’S TAU

For a bivariate time series ((Xi ,Yi))i=1,. ,n, we want to detect whether the correlation between Xi and Yi stays constant for all i = 1,. n. We propose a nonparametric change-point test statistic based on Kendall’s tau. The asymptotic distribution under the null hypothesis of no change follows from a new U-statistic invariance principle for dependent processes. Assuming a single change-point, we show that the location of the change-point is consistently estimated. Kendall’s tau possesses a high efficiency at the normal distribution, as compared to the normal maximum likelihood estimator, Pearson’s moment correlation. Contrary to Pearson’s correlation coefficient, it shows no loss in efficiency at heavy-tailed distributions, and is therefore particularly suited for financial data, where heavy tails are common. We assume the data ((Xi ,Yi))i=1,. ,n to be stationary and P-near epoch dependent on an absolutely regular process. The P-near epoch dependence condition constitutes a generalization of the usually considered Lp-near epoch dependence allowing for arbitrarily heavy-tailed data. We investigate the test numerically, compare it to previous proposals, and illustrate its application with two real-life data examples.
The influence of mode of delivery on the neurodevelopment of children and adolescents

Background: Cesarean section is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the world and its rates have been increasing worldwide over the past decades. Despite being a lifesaving procedure in emergent situations, it can be associated with a range of adverse maternal and childhood health outcomes. To date, there is a lack of consistent studies regarding the association between mode of delivery and a child’s neurodevelopment. Objective: The aim of this review is to highlight the possibility of neurocognitive outcomes during childhood and adolescence being affected by the child’s mode of delivery.Method: Literature review based on studies published between 2005 and 2018, available on PubMed. Results: Regarding uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries most studies found no difference in neurodevelopment according to mode of delivery, apart from nonplanned cesarean, which usually correlates to worse outcomes. In breech presentation, shortterm outcomes of children born vaginally were poorer while long-term neurological outcomes were contradictory. Preterm infants were more commonly associated with adverse neurological outcomes and these varied according to the age at which children were assessed. Considering drug administration during delivery, the long-term neurological effects of children exposed to exogenous oxytocin are not known and transitory neonatal exposure to anaesthetic drugs during delivery probably won’t harmfully influence longterm neurodevelopment. Conclusions: Neurodevelopment is influenced by a vast number of genetic and environmental variables, becoming impracticable to account for all factors that may affect neurocognitive outcomes. Therefore, future investigation is necessary to enlighten if neurodevelopment is in fact associated with mode of delivery or if underlying causes are the real influencers. Thus, when considering mode of delivery, every obstetrical case should be individually analysed, maternal and neonatal risks and benefits should be balanced and common beliefs demystified to help mothers make an informed decision and promote their children’s healthy development.