Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological Daily Inhalation Rates for Health Risk Assessment in Overweight/Obese Children, Adults, and Elderly

Physiological daily inhalation rates reported in our previous study for normal‐weight subjects 2.6–96 years old were compared to inhalation data determined in free‐living overweight/obese individuals (n = 661) aged 5–96 years. Inhalation rates were also calculated in normal‐weight (n = 408), overweight (n = 225), and obese classes 1, 2, and 3 adults (n = 134) aged 20–96 years. These inhalation values were based on published indirect calorimetry measurements (n = 1,069) and disappearance rates of oral doses of water isotopes (i.e., 2H2O and H218O) monitored by gas isotope ratio mass spectrometry usually in urine samples for an aggregate period of over 16,000 days. Ventilatory equivalents for overweight/obese subjects at rest and during their aggregate daytime activities (28.99 ± 6.03 L to 34.82 ± 8.22 L of air inhaled/L of oxygen consumed; mean ± SD) were determined and used for calculations of inhalation rates. The interindividual variability factor calculated as the ratio of the highest 99th percentile to the lowest 1st percentile of daily inhalation rates is higher for absolute data expressed in m3/day (26.7) compared to those of data in m3/kg‐day (12.2) and m3/m2‐day (5.9). Higher absolute rates generally found in overweight/obese individuals compared to their normal‐weight counterparts suggest higher intakes of air pollutants (in μg/day) for the former compared to the latter during identical exposure concentrations and conditions. Highest absolute mean (24.57 m3/day) and 99th percentile (55.55 m3/day) values were found in obese class 2 adults. They inhale on average 8.21 m3 more air per day than normal‐weight adults.
Remote sensing of surface ocean PH exploiting sea surface salinity satellite observations

The overall process commonly referred to as Ocean Acidification (OA) is nowadays gathering increasing attention for its profound impact at scientific and socio-economic level. To date, the majority of the scientific studies into the potential impacts of OA have focused on models and in situ datasets. Satellite remote sensing technology have yet to be fully exploited and could play a significant role by providing synoptic and frequent measurements for investigating OA processes on global scales. Within this context, the purpose of the ESA “Pathfinders-OA” project is to quantitatively and routinely estimate surface ocean pH by means of satellite observations in several ocean regions. Satellite Ocean Colour, Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Surface Salinity data (with an emphasis on the latter) will be exploited. A proper merging of these different datasets will allow to compute at least two independent proxies among the seawater carbonate system parameters and therefore obtain the best educated guess of the surface ocean pH. Preliminary results of the anomaly and variability of the ocean pH maps are presented.
Meiobenthos at the Arctic Håkon Mosby Mud Volcano, with a parental-caring nematode thriving in sulphide-rich sediments

Hakon Mosby Mud Volcano (HMMV, SW Barents Sea slope, 1280 m) is one of the numerous cold methane-venting seeps existing along the continental margins. Analyses of video- guided core samples revealed extreme differences in the diversity and density of the metazoan meiobenthic communities associated with the different sub-habitats (centre, microbial mats, Pogonophora field, outer rim) of this mud volcano. Diversity was lowest in the sulphidic, microbial mat sediments that supported the highest standing stock, with unusually high densities (11 000 ind. 10 cm -2 ) of 1 nematode species related to Geomonhystera disjuncta. Stable carbon isotope analyses revealed that this nematode species was thriving on chemosynthetically derived food sources in these sediments. Ovoviviparous reproduction has been identified as an important adaptation of parents securing the survival and development of their brood in this toxic environment. The proliferation of this single species in exclusive association with free-living, sulphide-oxidising bacteria (Beggiatoa) indicates that its dominance is strongly related to trophic specialisation, evidently uncommon among the meiofauna. This chemoautotrophic association was replaced by copepods in the bare, sulphide- free sediments of the volcano's centre, dominated by aerobic methane oxidation as the chemosyn- thetic process. Copepods and nauplii reached maximum densities and dominance in the volcano's centre (500 ind. 10 cm -2 ). Their strongly depleted carbon isotope signatures indicated a trophic link with methane-derived carbon. This proliferation of only selected meiobenthic species supported by chemosynthetically derived carbon suggests that, in addition to the sediment geochemistry, the asso- ciated reduced meiobenthic diversity may equally be related to the trophic resource specificity in HMMV sub-habitats.
Calvin Digital Commons Calvin Digital Commons

A paradigm of scientific discovery is defined within a first-order logical framework. Within this paradigm, the concept of "successful scientific inquiry" is formalized and investigated. Among other results, it is shown that a simple method of scientific inquiry is universal in the sense that it leads to success on every problem for which success is in principle possible.
Effect of Soil Clay Content on RNA Isolation and on Detection and Quantification of Bacterial Gene Transcripts in Soil by Quantitative Reverse Transcription-PCR

ABSTRACT In this study, we evaluated the effect of soil clay content on RNA isolation and on quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) quantification of microbial gene transcripts. The amount of clay significantly altered RNA isolation yields and qRT-PCR analyses. Recommendations are made for quantifying microbial gene transcripts in soil samples varying in clay content.
An examination of the effectiveness of Handwriting Without Tears® instruction

Background. Handwriting is an important childhood occupation, and implications of poor handwriting may have significant long-term effects. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Handwriting Without Tears ® (HWT) on Grade 1 students’ handwriting and perception of skills. Methods. A cross-over design was used. Repeated measures, at three points, included the Minnesota Handwriting Assessment (MHA) and performance rating scales. Findings. Eighty-three boys and 66 girls with an average age of 6.2 years participated in the study. Students receiving HWT achieved significantly higher improvements compared to students with teacher-designed instruction in MHA Total Test Score and in MHA components of form, size, space, and alignment (all p < .05). Students had higher average performance ratings when receiving HWT in the first half of the school year. Implications. Instruction using HWT improves students’ perception and skill in handwriting performance. Description. L’écriture est une occupation importante de l’enfance et les conséquences d’une pauvre écriture peuvent avoir des effets à long terme. But. Déterminer si le programme Handwriting Without Tears ® (HWT) est efficace pour améliorer l’écriture des élèves de la première année du primaire, de même que leur perception face à leurs compétences en écriture. Méthodologie. Un schéma d’expériences croisées a été utilisé. Des mesures répétées ont été effectuées, à trois points, à l’aide du Minnesota Handwriting Assessment (MHA) et d’échelles d’évaluation du rendement. Résultats. Quatre-vingt-trois garçons et 66 filles dont l’âge moyen était de 6,2 ans ont participé à l’étude. Des améliorations plus significatives ont été observées chez les élèves ayant suivi le programme HWT que chez les élèves ayant reçu un enseignement conçu par un enseignant, en ce qui a trait au score total obtenu au MHA et aux composantes de la forme, de la taille, de l’espace et de l’alignement du MHA (tous les p < 0,05). Les élèves ayant suivi le programme HWT dans la première moitié de l’année scolaire ont obtenu de meilleurs scores en ce qui a trait au rendement moyen. Conséquences. L’enseignement à l’aide du programme HWT améliore la perception des élèves, de même que leurs compétences en écriture.
Rotation Estimation from Catadioptric Lines without Correspondences using the Radon Transform , Harmonic Analysis and Conformal Geometric Algebra

Omnidirectional vision systems provide a large field of view, this property can benefit algorithms developed to solve robotic tasks. One interesting problem is the estimation of the rotation between omnidirectional images. Since the images taken by omnidirectional sensors can be mapped to a sphere, the problem of attitude estimation of a 3D camera rotation can be treated as a problem of estimating rotations between spherical images. Usually, this rotation estimation problem has been solved using point correspondences or gradient information of the points of the images. The respective computational time is very time consuming for these point algorithms. In this paper we present an effective solution to the attitude estimation problem with the radon transform, which uses line information instead of points. The algorithm is defined under the conformal geometric algebra framework, to take advantage of the geometric information provided by the omnidirectional projection.
On the synthesis of output feedback controllers subject to any structural constraint

This paper investigates decentralized output feedback control of continuous-time linear systems to fulfill frequency-domain specifications set on restricted frequency ranges. In particular, the controllers are not necessarily in block diagonal form. Solvability conditions are derived for both dynamic and static gain feedback cases. A numerical example is given which shows the validity of the proposed methods.
Immunotherapeutic Approaches to Prevent, Ameliorate, and Cure Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1A diabetes (T1D) is caused by autoimmune islet beta cell destruction precipitated by environmental triggers in genetically predisposed individuals. Islet beta cells produce insulin and are the primary target of this autoimmune disorder. Insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase, and insulinoma associated-2 autoantibodies (IAA, GAD65, and IA-2) are the autoantibodies that have been associated most clearly with the development of T1D. Despite our current ability to predict T1D using genetic markers and detecting islet autoantibodies, we have yet to find a safe way to prevent the disease. However, there are more than 100 different therapies that prevent T1D in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model or the BioBreeding (BB) rats. This paper reviews a few select therapeutic approaches that have been or are being evaluated as possibilities for the prevention, amelioration, or cure of T1D.
Physiological User Interfaces

Physiological sensing offers a unique opportunity for constant, private, effortless interaction between man and machine. Physiological sensors have been used to study health, emotion and activity for decades and now modern sensors and mobile computing devices make it possible to record, analyze and respond to changes in physiological signals in real time mobile situations. This paper presents an overview of some research projects that demonstrate how physiological signals including GSR, EMG, EKG and respiration can be used as an alternative user interface, especially in new areas of computing such as mobile and ubiquitous control of consumer appliances.
Complete Genome Sequence of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 8, Which Reemerged in France in August 2015

ABSTRACT We announce here the complete genome sequence (coding and noncoding) of the bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 8, isolated from a ram in Allier department, France, 2015. Sequence analysis confirms the reemergence of the BTV-8 strain that previously circulated in France until 2009 and other European countries until 2010.
Towards a Localised German Automatic Speech Recognition

Spoken languages are often rich in regional accents and dialects. These local variations often pose challenges to automatic speech recognition. In this study, we analyse the influence of German regional accents on the performance of a large vocabulary continuous speech recogniser trained on standard German data. The experiments show a large variation in the error rate over different regions. We investigate the influence of phoneme-level variations on recognition errors and use our findings to build a dialect recognition system.
GM-CSF enhances neural differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells

Recent reports suggest that bone marrow stromal cells may be induced into neural cells both in vivo and in vitro. The factors that regulate the neural differentiation and the mechanism involved, however, remains unclear. Here we demonstrated that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a potent hematopoietic factor, was able to enhance the neural differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells. Moreover, we found that GM-CSF receptors are abundantly distributed in the bone marrow stromal cells and GM-CSF significantly upregulated the phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element binding protein in bone marrow stromal cells. These findings suggest that GM-CSF may activate its receptor and then enhance neural differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells by upregulating phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element binding protein.
Cytogenetic clonal evolution in myelodysplastic syndromes is associated with inferior prognosis

The karyotype of bone marrow cells at the time of diagnosis is a strong prognostic parameter for overall survival as well as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). However, to the authors' knowledge, few data exist regarding the prognostic impact of cytogenetic clonal evolution during the course of MDS.
Distribución y estructura de las comunidades de escarabeidos coprófagos (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) a lo largo de gradientes de altitud

Los rangos de distribucion y la fenologia de las especies estan determinados por diferentes factores que varian a lo largo del tiempo; por ejemplo, por el efecto del cambio climatico. Los sistemas montanosos presentan un escenario idoneo para el estudio de los gradientes altitudinales y los cambios de distribucion de las especies en un espacio reducido. El objetivo principal de esta tesis fue determinar la distribucion y composicion de las comunidades de escarabeidos coprofagos (Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea) en gradientes altitudinales. Para ello, se realizo una monitorizacion estandarizada entre 775 y 1900 m s.n. m. en la Sierra de Guadarrama (capitulo 2,3 y 4) y un muestreo entre 400 y 2600 m s.n. m. en las estribaciones orientales de la cordillera de los Andes (capitulo 5). Los datos compilados en la Sierra de Guadarrama sirvieron para observar los cambios en los rangos de distribucion de los escarabajos coprofagos en un escenario de cambio climatico. Se realizo una comparativa de los datos procedentes de bases de datos para cuatro especies, identificandose cambios en su fenologia y distribucion. Sin embargo, la baja disponibilidad de datos historicos impidio encontrar una evidencia clara de dichas variaciones, pudiendo ser un artefacto creado por la falta de muestreo o por informacion incompleta en los metadatos (capitulo 2). En la Sierra de Guadarrama se registraron 70 especies de los tres grupos de Scarabaeoidea Palearticos (39 Scarabaeidae, 26 Aphodiidae y 5 Geotrupidae). Sus respuestas fenologicas presentaron variaciones en abundancia de manera variable a lo largo del gradiente de altitud, en funcion de variaciones termicas estacionales. Las respuestas de las especies ante la altitud y la temperatura pueden clasificarse en cuatro tipos basicos, en funcion de si son generalistas o especialistas para uno o ambos factores (capitulo 3).
EXPECTATIONS OVER ATTRACTORS OF ITERATED FUNCTION SYSTEMS

Motivated by the need for new mathematical tools applicable to the study of fractal point-cloud distributions, expectations of complex-valued functions defined over general ‘deterministic’ fractal domains are considered, following the development of a measure-theoretic foundation for their analysis. In particular, we wish to understand and evaluate separation moments as given by integrals of the form
Formal Verification of an Arbiter Circuit

We present the circuit-level verification of a common arbiter circuit. To perform this verification, we address three issues. First, we present a specification for the arbiter and show how this specification amounts to a set of topological constraints on trajectories of the continuous model. Second, we show that computing bounding sets for these trajectories is complicated by stiffness of the differential equation model and present novel techniques for handling stiff equations in a formal verification context. Finally, we note that while no arbiter can be guaranteed to always grant a pending request, we can show liveness in the presence of concurrent requests in an “almost surely” sense.
The zoophilic fruitfly Phortica variegata: morphology, ecology and biological niche

Abstract Flies belonging to the subfamily Steganinae (Drosophilidae) display unusual zoophilic feeding habits at the adult and/or larval stage. Phortica variegata (Fallén) feeds on tears or eye liquid around the eyes of humans and carnivores. When feeding it is a potential vector of Thelazia callipaeda (Railliet and Henry) eyeworms. Adult and larval stages of this fly may be easily confused with other species belonging to the same genus, and little is known on the biology and ecology of P. variegata. In April–November 2005, a total of 969 P. variegata were collected in an area with a high prevalence of canine thelaziosis. The number of flies collected weekly was then related to climatic and environmental parameters (e.g. temperature, relative humidity and total rainfall) recorded daily at the collection site. The highest number of Phortica were collected during July–August. The sex ratio (number of males : females) rose from ∼ 0.5 during May–July, to ∼ 3.0 in August and 181 during September–October. Distributional data, representing 242 sites at which P. variegata has been collected in Europe, were analysed using a desktop implementation of the genetic algorithm for rule‐set prediction (GARP) to model ecological requirements across Europe, as well as in Italy. P. variegata is shown to be mainly active at 20–25 °C and 50–75% RH. The ecological niche model suggests with a high degree of confidence that large areas of Europe are likely to represent suitable habitat for this species, mostly concentrated in central Europe. The results reported here contribute basic knowledge on the ecology and geographical distribution of P. variegata flies, which will be fundamental to gaining a better understanding of their role as vectors of human and animal pathogens.
Expression of Leptin and Adiponectin in the Rat Oviduct

In mammals, the oviduct is an important source of factors that play key roles in reproductive and developmental events. The major components of oviduct fluid are oviduct-specific glycoproteins, but other proteins are synthesized and secreted by the oviduct epithelium. Leptin and adiponectin are two hormones originally identified in adipocytes that play a critical role not only in the control of energy balance and metabolism but also in diverse functions such as reproduction. This study investigates the presence and distribution of leptin and adiponectin in the rat oviduct through a combination of immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction techniques. Using both techniques, it has been detected that the oviduct of cycling rats expresses leptin and adiponectin. Immuno-reactivity for both adipokines appears in the apical region of the secretory epithelial cells, only in the isthmus and ampulla. The immunostain is stronger in the isthmus and changes throughout the estrous cycle in the ampulla, increasing from proestrous to estrous. The results presented here are a further contribution to the identification of leptin and adiponectin produced and secreted by the oviduct epithelium, which must be taken into account for a better understanding of the reproductive events that take place in this organ. (J Histochem Cytochem 55: 1027–1037, 2007)
Prediction of Stress in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract Raising a child with autism spectrum disorders presents families with exceptional caregiving challenges. Consequently, parents, particularly mothers, evidence unusually high stress levels. Previous research has identified relevant variables that help explain maternal stress: the child’s behavior problems, social support and the sense of coherence (SOC) as a perception of problem. However, there are few longitudinal studies demonstrating how these variables correlate over time. We present a longitudinal study of 21 Spanish mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) at two measurement time points over an interval of 4.5 years. Our aims are to examine the predictive relationships of these variables (behavior problems, social support and SOC) to stress and to analyse their changes over time. Data were collected through questionnaires. The results of the regression analysis (multiple adjusted R 2= .45, ƒ2 = .82) highlight the predictive values of SOC (adjusted R 2 = .31) and the initial stress levels (Δ adjusted R 2 = .14) for stress levels 4.5-years later. Our study used t-tests to compare measurements at the two time points; results demonstrate the permanence of stress levels and behavior problems and the effects of reduced social support and increased SOC levels (t(20) = 2.48, p = . 02, Cohen’s d = . 63; t(20) = –4.22, p < . 001, Cohen’ d = . 58). Implications for interventions are discussed.
Synchronous Reluctance Motor Performance Based on Different Electrical Steel Grades

This paper investigates the influence of various electrical steel grades on the torque and efficiency of synchronous reluctance motors (SynRMs). Four different steel grades are studied for the same motor geometry. A finite-element method is combined with an experiment-based magnetic material model to study the effect of the four steel grades on the performance of the SynRM. On the one hand, there is a negligible effect on the torque ripple because this ripple depends mainly on the motor geometry. On the other hand, it was found that the material properties have an obvious effect on the SynRM efficiency and output power. Evidently, the low loss grades result in higher efficiency: 9% point higher for NO20 compared with M600-100A. One of the four considered grades is designed to have a higher flux density in the useful magnetic field range (a few hundreds to a few thousand amperes per meter). This grade has somewhat lower efficiency, but results in a higher saliency ratio and an 8% higher torque output compared with the worst grade. Some experimental validation results are shown.