Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dioxinlike components in incinerator fly ash: a comparison between chemical analysis data and results from a cell culture bioassay.

Potent polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxinlike polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are among the most relevant toxic emissions from incinerators. Induction of cytochrome P450 1A1-catalyzed 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in mammalian cell culture (EROD bioassay) is thought to be a selective and sensitive parameter used for the quantification of dioxinlike compounds. Fly ash extracts from municipal waste incinerators (MWI), a crematorium, wood combustors, and a noble metal recycling facility were analyzed in the EROD bioassay using rat hepatocytes in primary culture. Fractions containing 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDDs/PCDFs, dioxinlike PCBs, and 16 major polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were isolated from the extract and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and by the EROD bioassay. It was found that with MWI samples the bioassay of the extract resulted in a two- to fivefold higher estimate of TCDD equivalents (TEQ) than the chemical analysis of PCDDs/PCDFs and PCBs. However, the outcome of both methods was significantly correlated, making the bioassay useful as a rough estimate for the sum of potent PCDDs/PCDFs and dioxinlike PCBs in extracts from MWI fly ash samples and in a fly ash sample from a crematorium. In noble metal recycling facility and wood combustor samples, higher amounts of PAHs were found, contributing to more pronounced differences between the results of both methods. The remaining unexplained inducing potency in fly ash samples probably results from additional dioxinlike components including certain PAHs not analyzed in this study.The hypothesis that emissions from MWI of hitherto unidentified dioxinlike compounds are higher by orders of magnitude than emissions of potent PCDDs/PCDFs and dioxinlike PCBs could not be confirmed. We found no indication for a marked synergistic interaction of dioxinlike fly ash components in the bioassay. ImagesFigure 1.Figure 2. AFigure 2. BFigure 2. CFigure 2. DFigure 3.Figure 4. AFigure 4. BFigure 5. AFigure 5. B
IS200 is not a member of the IS600 family of insertion sequences.

IS200 is an insertion sequence present in all Salmonella species except S. agona (1, 2). The element is absent from all other Enterobacteriaceae, with the exception of some strains of Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei (2). It had been hypothesized that the first mutation characterized as an IS200 insertion, hisD984: :IS200 (1, 3) might actually be a deletion mutant of the Shigella insertion element IS630 (4). However, sequencing of the ends of a second mutation caused by IS200 insertion later suggested that IS200 was a distinct insertion element (5). We recently obtained the complete nucleotide sequence of the insertion element IS200 inserted in the histidine operon of S. typhimuriwn (causing the mutation hisD984: :IS200). The element is 708 bp long; if this size corresponds to a wild-type element, IS200 can be considered the smallest insertion sequence known (6). A diagram of the hypothetical structure of IS200 is presented in Figure 1. Unlike many insertion elements, IS200 lacks tenninal inverted repeats, as previously reported (3, 5). The element contains three potential open reading frames (ORF 1, ORF 2 and ORF 3), whose coding capabilities are 69, 71 and 58 amino acids, respectively. ORF2 and ORF3 are overlapping; the existence of overlapping ORFs is not surprising, since it seems to be extremely common among bacterial insertion sequences (6). Other interesting features of IS200 are the following: (i) Three potential hairpin loops are located near the 'right' end of the element (Figure 1). One of the loops, centered on base 688, strongly reminds of a Rho-independent transcription terminator, as previously suggested (3). Two smaller hairpins are centered on bases 608 and 665. (ii) Two nearly perfect inverted repeats of 20 bp exist within the sequence. Both repeats are located near the 'right' end, extending between nucleotides 565-584 and 629-648 (Figure 1). The repeats differ by only 4 mismatches and their potential biological significance is unknown. A search in the EMBL data bank has confirmed that IS200 is not a deletion mutant of IS630, although two discrete regions of homology (8 and 10 bp long) appear to exist between IS200 and IS630. Likewise, two short regions of homology (7 and 8 bp long) are found between IS200 and the Shigella sonnei insertion sequence IS640. Two DNA stretches, 10 and 11 bp long, homologous to the S. sonnei element IS600 have also been found. Probes lacking homology with the Shigella elements IS600, IS630 and IS640 can now be obtained by cloning specific, internal fragments of IS200. These probes are expected to be useful to find out whether the hybndization found between IS200 probes and certain Shigella DNAs (2) was caused or not by crosshybridization between IS200 and Shigella insertion elements.
Four-component scattering model for polarimetric SAR image decomposition

A four-component scattering model is proposed to decompose polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The covariance matrix approach is used to deal with the nonreflection symmetric scattering case. This scheme includes and extends the three-component decomposition method introduced by Freeman and Durden dealing with the reflection symmetry condition that the co-pol and the cross-pol correlations are close to zero. Helix scattering power is added as the fourth component to the three-component scattering model which describes surface, double bounce, and volume scattering. This helix scattering term is added to take account of the co-pol and the cross-pol correlations which generally appear in complex urban area scattering and disappear for a natural distributed scatterer. This term is relevant for describing man-made targets in urban area scattering. In addition, asymmetric volume scattering covariance matrices are introduced in dependence of the relative backscattering magnitude between HH and VV. A modification of probability density function for a cloud of dipole scatterers yields asymmetric covariance matrices. An appropriate choice among the symmetric or asymmetric volume scattering covariance matrices allows us to make a best fit to the measured data. A four-component decomposition algorithm is developed to deal with a general scattering case. The result of this decomposition is demonstrated with L-band Pi-SAR images taken over the city of Niigata, Japan.
Distribution of selenium in plasma of French women: relation to age and selenium status.

Human plasma selenium is associated with three proteins: selenoprotein P (Se-P), glutathione peroxidase (isoform 3 of GSHPx), and albumin (1)(2). Most of the methods used to study the distribution of plasma selenium among these proteins are based on gel filtration (3)(4)(5)(6) or on affinity chromatography (2)(7)(8)(9). Gel filtration is less sensitive, resolves less well, and has given higher results than affinity chromatography for GSHPx (7). Affinity chromatography is time-consuming and unsuitable for routine analyses. The only direct method to determine plasma Se-P is a RIA (10)(11). We developed an indirect determination of Se-P. After plasma albumin-globulin separation, the selenium content of the albumin fraction was measured and the selenium content of plasma Se-P was deduced from the total plasma selenium minus the sum of selenium coming from plasma albumin and GSHPx. In a previous study, we showed that plasma selenium was significantly decreased in a group of institutionalized elderly women compared with a free-living group and a group of young adult women living in the same area (12). To investigate the etiology of the differences in selenium status among these groups, we studied plasma selenium distribution among the three protein compartments. The three groups of nine women have been described elsewhere (12). Blood samples were collected in the fasting state. Affinity chromatography on a tandem column system of heparin-Sepharose CL-6B (Pharmacia) and blue Sepharose CL-6B (Pharmacia) was performed for the separation of GSHPx, Se-P, and albumin in human plasma according to reported methods (2)(8). To establish a correspondence between the activity and the selenium content of plasma GSHPx, GSHPx activity and selenium were measured in all unretained fractions because the unretained fraction from heparin-Sepharose and reactive blue columns correspond to …
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Cognitive Behavior Therapy Tailored to Psychological Adaptation to an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Objectives: To evaluate a eight-session cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) intervention tailored to adaptation in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients; and to test for treatment group by gender interaction effects. Methods: Patients receiving their first ICD implant were randomized to CBT or usual cardiac care. Primary outcomes measured at baseline, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups were symptoms of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (Impact of Events Scale-Revised), and phobic anxiety (Crown-Crisp Experiential Index). Secondary outcomes were quality of life (Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary and Short Form-36 Mental Component Summary) and ICD shocks or antitachycardia pacing therapies. Results: Of 292 eligible patients, 193 consented and were randomized to CBT (n = 96) or usual cardiac care (n = 97). Eighty percent were male; mean age was 64.4 years (standard deviation = 14.3); and 70% received an ICD for secondary prevention. No baseline differences were observed between the treatment conditions; however, women scored worse than men on all psychological and quality of life variables (p < .05). Eighty-three percent completed follow-up. Repeated-measures analyses of covariance revealed significantly greater improvement with CBT on posttraumatic stress disorder total and avoidance symptoms for men and women combined (p < .05) and significantly greater improvement in depressive symptoms and Short Form-36 Mental Component Summary only in women (p < .01). No differences were observed between treatment conditions on ICD therapies over follow-up. Conclusion: A CBT intervention to assist adaptation to an ICD enhanced psychological functioning over the first year post implant. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00152763. ICD = implantable cardioverter defibrillator; ATP = antitachycardia pacing; CBT = cognitive behavior therapy; UCC = usual cardiac care; QL = quality of life; SCD = sudden cardiac death; IES-R = Impact of Events Scale-Revised; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder.
Effectiveness of Adwatch Formats in Deflecting Political Attack Ads

This investigation examined the effectiveness of three distinct television news “adwatch” formats in deflecting the influence of targeted political attack ads during the 1992 North Carolina gubernatorial campaign. The study featured three treatment groups and two control conditions. Those subjects assigned to the treatment groups viewed a newscast containing one of three adwatch formats: full screen, boxed, or verbal; they then viewed the targeted attack ad, which was edited into an entertainment program that followed the newscast. Those subjects assigned as controls either viewed the newscast without the adwatch and then the entertainment program containing the attack ad, or viewed the newscast without the adwatch and then the entertainment program without the ad. The results partially supported the hypotheses (1) that use of the full-screen adwatch produces a boomerang effect, further enhancing the influence of targeted attack ads, and (2) that this effect is most pronounced among female viewers. The results also suggest that adwatches do not affect viewer ratings of sponsoring news shows.
Transposition didactique et rapports aux savoirs : l'exemple des enseignements de questions économiques et sociales, socialement vives

Nous proposons une analyse des problemes lies a l'enseignement des questions economiques et sociales qui s'inscrit dans la tension entre la reconnaissance generique du concept de transposition didactique et l'etude des specificites de la gestion des rapports aux savoirs dans les enseignements de « questions socialement vives ». Le bien fonde de l'utilisation de la theorie de la transposition didactique est discute a partir de l'exemple de la discipline des sciences economiques et sociales (SES) ou elle a donne lieu a de vives controverses. Une analyse en termes de construction de distances entre differents savoirs est proposee pour contribuer a l'etude de la problematicite des enseignements, deja pointee par la theorie de la transposition didactique. Les illustrations sont prises dans des travaux recents menes en didactique des disciplines concernees. Mots-cles : didactique comparee, questions socialement vives, rapports aux savoirs, sciences economiques et sociales, transposition didactique. 'une des voies du developpement de la didactique aussi que leurs specificites (1) appellent des analyses des disciplines semble desormais passer par des fines faisant egalement appel a d'autres outils theo-travaux de didactique comparee (Johsua, 2001 ; Mercier et al., 2002) dont l'un des objectifs est d'etudier la pertinence de l'utilisation des concepts de la theorie didactique dans le champ des differentes didactiques disciplinaires. Les travaux que nous menons dans le champ des enseignements economiques, sociologiques, juridiques et de gestion cherchent notamment a montrer que les principaux concepts de la theorie didactique peuvent etre convoques pour etudier les questions liees a ces enseignements, mais riques (Legardez, 2001). Nous tenterons de montrer que les questions que pose la theorie de la transposition didactique sont bien incontournables dans le champ de la recherche en didactique, mais que l'utilisation du concept necessite des specifications dans la perspective d'etudes de la gestion des rapports aux savoirs, notamment dans L Revue Francaise de Pedagogie, n° 149, octobre-novembre-decembre 2004, 19-27
Broad and Narrow Personality Traits of Women's College Students in Relation to Early Departure from College

Personality traits of coeducational students have been shown to correlate with early withdrawal intention from college (Lounsbury, Saudargas, & Gibson, 2004). The current study investigated the relationship between the Big Five personality traits as well as seven narrow personality traits in relation to withdrawal intention among 103 female students from eight women's colleges (Ridgell & Lounsbury, 2004). As predicted, Conscientiousness, Work Drive, and Sense of Identity were significantly inversely correlated with early departure intention. Three personality traits—Emotional Stability, Work Drive, and Sense of Identity—accounted for 18.3% of the variance in withdrawal intentions. Results were discussed in terms of the role personality traits may play in retention and reasons why females choose women's colleges over co-educational institutions (Langdon, 1998).
Chemical Composition, Antiviral against avian Influenza (H5N1) Virus and Antimicrobial activities of the Essential Oils of the Leaves and Fruits of Fortunella margarita, Lour. Swingle, Growing in Egypt -

Article history: Essential oils of the fresh leaves and fruits of Fortunella margarita Lour. Swingle (Family: Rutaceae) were prepared by hydrodistillation method, which resulted with 0.27 and 0.30% respectively. The resulted oils of both organs were analyzed by GC/MS which revealed the presence of twenty compounds in the leaves oil representing 86.96% of the oil, from which gurjunene, eudesmol and muurolene were identified as major compounds. The fruit's oil was found to contain fourteen compounds representing 77.77% of the oil, of which terpineol, t-carveol, limonene, muurolene and cadinene represented the major compounds. The antiviral activity of the essential oils of both leaves and fruits was tested against avian influenza-A virus (H5N1), and the results revealed higher potency of fruits oil. Moreover, the essential oils of the leaves and fruits were investigated for their antimicrobial and antifungal activities. The oil of the leaves showed antimicrobial activity higher than that of the fruits at dilution (1:50 v/v) against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Sarcina luta and Streptococcus faecalis, also it has a moderate activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsilla pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. On the other hand, the antifungal activity of the leaves and fruits revealed that the fruits exhibited higher activity than that of the leaves against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.
Evaluating Security Products with Clinical Trials

One of the largest challenges faced by purchasers of security products is evaluating their relative merits. While customers can get reliable information on characteristics such as runtime overhead, user interface, and support quality, the actual level of protection provided by different security products is mostly unranked--or, worse yet, ranked using criteria that do not generally reflect their performance in practice. Even though researchers have been working on improving testing methodologies, given the complex interactions of users, uses, evolving threats, and different deployment environments, there are fundamental limitations on the ability of lab-based measurements to determine real world performance. To address these issues, we propose an alternative evaluation method, computer security clinical trials. In this method, security products are deployed in randomly selected subsets of targeted populations and are monitored to determine their performance in normal use. We believe that clinical trials can provide solid evidence of the efficacy of security products, much as they have in the field of medicine.
Joint Interference Suppression for Multi-User TDD MIMO Downlink with Other-Cell Interference

In multiuser TDD MIMO downlink communications, system performance suffers from multiuser interference(MUI) and other-cell interference(OCI). This paper proposes designing a precoder to jointly suppress MUI and OCI. Firstly, a precoding matrix is designed for multiuser interference suppression, with the help of the QR decomposition of generalized MMSE channel inversion. And then, using a signal leakage criterion, the second precoding matrix is designed to suppress OCI and residual MUI. The proposed algorithm can avoid user feedback in multiuser TDD MIMO systems. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
A Performance Study on the Signal-On-Fail Approach to Imposing Total Order in the Streets of Byzantium

Any asynchronous total-order protocol must somehow circumvent the well-known FLP impossibility result. This paper exposes the performance gains obtained when this impossibility is dealt with through the use of abstract processes built to have some special failure semantics. Specifically, we build processes with signal-on-fail semantics by (i) having a subset of Byzantine-prone processes paired to check each other's computational outputs, and (ii) assuming that paired processes do not fail simultaneously. By dynamically invoking the construction of signal-on-fail processes, coordinator-based total-order protocols which allow less than one-third of processes to fail in a Byzantine manner are developed. Using a LAN-based implementation, failure-free order latencies and fail-over latencies are measured; the former are shown to be smaller compared to the protocol of Castro and Liskov which is generally regarded to perform exceedingly well in the best-case scenarios
The Induced Innovation Hypothesis and Energy-Saving Technological Change

It follows from Hicks' induced innovation hypothesis that rising energy prices in the last two decades should have induced energy-saving innovation. We formulate the hypothesis concretely using a product-characteristics model of energy-using consumer durables, augmenting Hicks' hypothesis to allow for the possibility that government efficiency standards also induce innovation. Through estimation of characteristics transformation surfaces, we find that technological change reduced the total capital and operating costs of air air conditioning by half and water heating by about one-fifth. Although the rate of overall innovation in these products appears to be independent of energy prices and regulations, the evidence suggests that the direction of innovation has been responsive to energy price changes. In particular, energy price increases induced innovation in a direction that lowered the capital cost tradeoffs inherent in producing more energy-efficiency products. In addition, energy price changes induced changes in the subset of technically feasible models that were offered for sale. Our estimates indicate that about one-quarter to one-half of the improvements in mean energy-efficiency of the menu of new models for these products over the last two decades were associated with rising energy prices since 1973. We also find that this responsiveness to price changes increased substantially after product labeling requirements came into effect, and that minimum efficiency standards had a significant positive effect on average efficiency levels. Nonetheless, a sizeable portion of efficiency improvements in these technologies appears to have been autonomous.
Effect of nonstationarities on detrended fluctuation analysis.

Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) is a scaling analysis method used to quantify long-range power-law correlations in signals. Many physical and biological signals are "noisy," heterogeneous, and exhibit different types of nonstationarities, which can affect the correlation properties of these signals. We systematically study the effects of three types of nonstationarities often encountered in real data. Specifically, we consider nonstationary sequences formed in three ways: (i) stitching together segments of data obtained from discontinuous experimental recordings, or removing some noisy and unreliable parts from continuous recordings and stitching together the remaining parts-a "cutting" procedure commonly used in preparing data prior to signal analysis; (ii) adding to a signal with known correlations a tunable concentration of random outliers or spikes with different amplitudes; and (iii) generating a signal comprised of segments with different properties-e.g., different standard deviations or different correlation exponents. We compare the difference between the scaling results obtained for stationary correlated signals and correlated signals with these three types of nonstationarities. We find that introducing nonstationarities to stationary correlated signals leads to the appearance of crossovers in the scaling behavior and we study how the characteristics of these crossovers depend on (a) the fraction and size of the parts cut out from the signal, (b) the concentration of spikes and their amplitudes (c) the proportion between segments with different standard deviations or different correlations and (d) the correlation properties of the stationary signal. We show how to develop strategies for preprocessing "raw" data prior to analysis, which will minimize the effects of nonstationarities on the scaling properties of the data, and how to interpret the results of DFA for complex signals with different local characteristics.