Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Rates of Digestion of Bacteria by Freshwater and Marine Phagotrophic Protozoa

Differential decreases over time of two bacterial species, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis, in a freshwater and a marine ecosystem were observed and explained by a differential rate of digestion of these bacteria by phagotrophic flagellates and ciliates. For this purpose, fluorescence-labeled bacteria (FLB) were used and prepared from the two species cited above. The number of FLB was observed for 5 days in fresh and marine waters in the presence or absence (0.2-μm-pore-size-filtered water) of natural microbiota. These experiments showed a longer persistence of Enterococcus faecalis FLB as opposed to Escherichia coli FLB in the presence of natural microbiota. Removal of FLB was due to protozoan grazing because no decrease of FLB number was observed in the absence of natural microbiota. In short-term (about 40 min) ingestion experiments, we found similar clearance rates of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis FLB by assemblages of flagellates from the freshwater and the marine ecosystem and by cultured assemblages of ciliates from the marine ecosystem. Clearance rates of Enterococcus faecalis FLB were greater than those of Escherichia coli FLB for assemblages of ciliates from the freshwater ecosystem. Comparison of rates of ingestion and digestion of FLB by protozoa showed that Escherichia coli FLB were digested and ingested at similar rates. However, Enterococcus faecalis FLB were digested slower than they were ingested. These results suggest that a longer persistence of Enterococcus faecalis as opposed to Escherichia coli can be explained by a differential digestion by flagellates and ciliates in aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, rates of ingestion and digestion were strongly correlated for both FLB types.
A Novel Design Framework for Point-to-Point ILC Using Successive Projection

A novel design approach is proposed for point-to-point iterative learning control (ILC), enabling system constraints to be satisfied while simultaneously addressing the requirement for high-performance tracking. It is shown that point-to-point ILC design can be formulated and solved using a successive projection first proposed by J. von Neumann, allowing a number of new point-to-point ILC algorithms to be developed and analyzed. To illustrate this framework, two new algorithms are derived with different convergence and computational properties for the constrained point-to-point ILC design problem. The proposed algorithms are validated on a robotic arm with experimental results demonstrating their effectiveness.
Vitamin D deficiency, smoking, and lung function in the Normative Aging Study.

RATIONALE Vitamin D has immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory effects that may be modified by cigarette smoke and may affect lung function. OBJECTIVES To examine the effect of vitamin D deficiency and smoking on lung function and lung function decline. METHODS A total of 626 men from the Normative Aging Study had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels measured at three different times between 1984 and 2003 with concurrent spirometry. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum level ≤ 20 ng/ml. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariable linear regression and mixed effects models. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS In the overall cohort, there was no significant effect of vitamin D deficiency on lung function or on lung function decline. In both cross-sectional and longitudinal multivariable models, there was effect modification by vitamin D status on the association between smoking and lung function. Cross-sectional analysis revealed lower lung function in current smokers with vitamin D deficiency (FEV(1), FVC, and FEV(1)/FVC; P ≤ 0.0002), and longitudinal analysis showed more rapid rates of decline in FEV(1) (P = 0.023) per pack-year of smoking in subjects with vitamin D deficiency as compared with subjects who were vitamin D sufficient. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D deficiency was associated with lower lung function and more rapid lung function decline in smokers over 20 years in this longitudinal cohort of elderly men. This suggests that vitamin D sufficiency may have a protective effect against the damaging effects of smoking on lung function. Future studies should seek to confirm this finding in the context of smoking and other exposures that affect lung function.
Dietary gender differences in terms of the risk of atherogenesis in Poland.

BACKGROUND n. Diet plays an important role in prevention of atherosclerosis. The objective of the study was to assess differences in the dietary intake and nutritional status in women and men in terms of atherogenesis risk. METHODS The study involved 41 women and 49 men aged 40+. The nutrient intake was assessed using 7-day dietary records. The nutritional status was estimated on the basis of antropometric measurements and biochemical blood parameters. The differences between diets and the nutritional status depending on sex was evaluated by oneway analysis of variance. The dependencies between the nutritional status and the diet factors were assessed using multiple regression. Results and discussion. It was found that a significant proportion of the women and men were overweight or obese, had lipid disorders and impaired fasting glucose. Diets of women and men were poorly balanced. A significant correlation between the level of energy from protein, as well as the energy supply and the LDL cholesterol concetration was found in the women. A positive correlation between energy from protein as well as total energy in the diet and body weight, was observed in women and men. Moreover, protein intake was positively correlated with BMI and waist circumference among the men. In the men, the level of serum trigl. RESULTS tion. Diet plays an important role in prevention of atherosclerosis. The objective of the study was to assess differences in the dietary intake and nutritional status in women and men in terms of atherogenesis risk. Material and methods. The study involved 41 women and 49 men aged 40+. The nutrient intake was assessed using 7-day dietary records. The nutritional status was estimated on the basis of antropometric measurements and biochemical blood parameters. The differences between diets and the nutritional status depending on sex was evaluated by oneway analysis of variance. The dependencies between the nutritional status and the diet factors were assessed using multiple regression. Results and discussion. It was found that a significant proportion of the women and men were overweight or obese, had lipid disorders and impaired fasting glucose. Diets of women and men were poorly balanced. A significant correlation between the level of energy from protein, as well as the energy supply and the LDL cholesterol concetration was found in the women. A positive correlation between energy from protein as well as total energy in the diet and body weight, was observed in women and men. Moreover, protein intake was positively correlated with BMI and waist circumference among the men. In the men, the level of serum triglycerides correlated with an increase in dietary cholesterol and a decrease in energy value. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that an inadequate diet among both men and women represents a real health danger of developing atherosclerotic plaque.
omparison of Water Seal and Suction After ulmonary Lobectomy : A Prospective , Randomized rial

p s l w Background. The objective of the present study was to ssess whether placing chest tubes on water seal after ulmonary lobectomy reduced the duration of air leak ompared with suction. Methods. One hundred forty-five patients who underent pulmonary lobectomy for lung cancer and with n air leak on the first postoperative day were prospecively randomly assigned to two groups: in group 1 (72 atients), chest tubes were placed on water seal on the orning of the first postoperative day; in group 2 73 patients), chest tubes were on continuous suction 20 cm H2O). Eighty percent of the patients who underent upper lobectomy had also a pleural tent procedure. reoperative, operative, and postoperative variables were ompared between the groups. Results. The two groups were evenly matched for reoperative and operative characteristics. No statistially significant differences were found between group 1
Single phase series active filter load compensation for aircraft applications

Aircraft technology is moving toward what is known as More Electric Aircraft. This technology aims to increase the amount of electrical power equipments rather than mechanical or hydraulic equipments. This paper present an analytical method of calculating reactive and harmonic current and using this current as a reference to feed a series active filter to compensate the harmonic currents generated by a non linear load.
Phonetics vs. phonology in Tamil wh-questions

Wh-questions in Tamil are not distinguished from declarative utterances by either pitch accent type or boundary tone. Acoustic analysis of data from 18 speakers comparing whquestions with corresponding declaratives revealed that the lexical marking of interrogativity is nevertheless accompanied by differences in intonation. The most consistent result was raising of f0 peaks in question words and in a majority of speakers, including all the females, sentence offset f0 was significantly higher in questions. This tended to be accompanied by lowering of f0 peaks following question words, resulting in some compression of the pitch register. In marking interrogativity Tamil thus manipulates gradient phonetic parameters, adding further fuel to the debate about whether such parameters can directly signal linguistic information or are mediated via some elaborated phonological representation.
Micro Doppler Analysis of a Vibrating/rotating Target in TerraSAR-X Images

Abstract : The current search and rescue (S and R) methods consist of using signals in the visible spectrum to attract the attention of observers within overflying S and R aircraft. These existing methods have proven useful but have inherent limitations such as the requirement for daylight, good weather and relatively restricted areas of operations, due to aircraft range, observer fatigue and the field of view, due to the low altitudes required for a thorough search. The Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre (CFJIC), Advanced Exploitation Section (AES) and DRDC Ottawa Research Centre conducted an imagery experiment at Connaught Range to define alternate methods of detecting downed aircrew using space-based sensors such as RADARSAT-2 and TerraSAR-X. Preliminary results demonstrate that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the target signature is significantly enhanced when the data are analyzed through phase-amplitude comparison of the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image. These results suggest that the utility of exploiting the unique phase signature of a moving reflector and pendulum for S and R purposes can potentially be useful in designs for emergency gear.
Disconnection as a mechanism for social cognition impairment in multiple sclerosis

Objective: To assess the contribution of microstructural normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) damage to social cognition impairment, specifically in the theory of mind (ToM), in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: We enrolled consecutively 60 patients with MS and 60 healthy controls (HC) matched on age, sex, and education level. All participants underwent ToM testing (Eyes Test, Videos Test) and 3T brain MRI including conventional and diffusion tensor imaging sequences. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) were applied for whole-brain voxel-wise analysis of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) on NAWM. Results: Patients with MS performed worse on both tasks of ToM compared to HC (Eyes Test 58.7 ± 13.8 vs 81.9 ± 10.4, p < 0.001, Hedges g −1.886; Videos Test 75.3 ± 9.3 vs 88.1 ± 7.1, p < 0.001, Hedges g −1.537). Performance on ToM tests was correlated with higher values of FA and lower values of MD across widespread white matter tracts. The largest effects (≥90% of voxels with statistical significance) for the Eyes Test were body and genu of corpus callosum, fornix, tapetum, uncinate fasciculus, and left inferior cerebellar peduncle, and for the Videos Test genu and splenium of corpus callosum, fornix, uncinate fasciculus, left tapetum, and right superior fronto-occipital fasciculus. Conclusions: These results indicate that a diffuse pattern of NAWM damage in MS contributes to social cognition impairment in the ToM domain, probably due to a mechanism of disconnection within the social brain network. Gray matter pathology is also expected to have an important role; thus further research is required to clarify the neural basis of social cognition impairment in MS.
Controlled Nicorandil Administration for Myocardial Protection During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Under Cardiopulmonary Bypass

&NA; Nicorandil is a hybrid potassium channel opener, and recent experimental studies have demonstrated its efficacy in myocardial protection against ischemia‐reperfusion. This clinical study was designed to examine the myocardial protective effect of nicorandil administered during cardiopulmonary bypass. Seventy adult patients, 53 men and 17 women, undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned to two groups, one receiving nicorandil during cardiopulmonary bypass (group N, n = 35) and the other receiving no nicorandil for control (group C, n = 35). Nicorandil was administered at each dose of 0.1 mg/kg into the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit according to the following schedule: (1) bolus injection at the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, (2) continuous infusion for 5 min before aortic cross‐clamping, (3) bolus administration at 5 min before reperfusion, and (4) continuous infusion for 5 min before reperfusion. The time required for achieving cardiac arrest after the initial cardioplegia was significantly reduced in group N in comparison with that in group C. After aortic unclamping, the number of patients showing a significant ST segment change on the electrocardiogram was significantly fewer in group N, whereas the number of patients showing spontaneous recovery of heart beat was significantly greater. As for the myocardial protective effect, group N showed lower plasma levels of malondialdehyde, human‐heart fatty acid‐binding protein, and peak creatine kinase‐MB, and required lower doses of catecholamine. Our results suggest that nicorandil administration during cardiopulmonary bypass provides enhanced myocardial protective effects against ischemia‐reperfusion in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.
On the effects of the excess bias of the SPAD on the timing accuracy in time interval measurement

The timing accuracy of a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) based receiver is analyzed as a function of excess bias voltage. The width of the used optical pulse was 100 ps, which matches well with the jitter of the used SPAD receiver fabricated in a 0.35 pm HVCMOS technology. The timing error was measured to be 900 ps within the excess bias voltage range of ∼1.25 V–3.25 V. The single-shot resolution changes from 420 ps to 160 ps (FWHM), respectively.
Epigenetic approaches to developmental psychopathology

We evaluate the usefulness of 11 key epigenetic concepts from the behavior genetic research paradigm for advancing the field of developmental psychopathology. Key assumptions, empirical examples, and caveats in interpreting results are presented. We emphasize the usefulness of incorporating both dimensional (e.g., temperament trait) and categorical (e.g., diagnosis) variables, environmental measures, direct behavioral assessments, and multiple, theoretically relevant occasions of study into classic twin and family studies. We highlight contemporary techniques for identifying specific chromosomal regions associated with behavioral patterns, and the importance of considering nonmendelizing genetic influences when discerning the panorama of genetic influences on behavior.
Les tissus urbanisés wallons. Des fiches pour illustrer leur potentiel de transformation par une densification de qualité

La recherche CPDT « Densification des tissus urbanises en Wallonie : forme, acceptabilite et modalites pour accompagner les mutations des tissus bâtis », d’ou est tiree cette publication, a mis en evidence le besoin d’aborder la densification des centralites wallonnes a travers le concept des tissus urbanises. En effet, de par leurs conditions propres, les tissus urbanises n’evoluent pas de la meme maniere face a la pression fonciere et immobiliere. Il ne s’agit donc pas d’appliquer des modeles ou des recettes mais bien de mettre en projet les opportunites intrinseques des tissus. L’objectif etant d’augmenter l’attractivite des agglomerations par la qualite du cadre de vie. Une premiere etape de la recherche a tente de definir les tissus urbanises propres a la Wallonie. Le resultat de cette etape est une typologie de douze tissus urbanises wallons. Chaque type de tissu a fait l’objet d’une analyse quantitative et qualitative ayant pour objectif d’en calculer les densites, l’intensite, de faire emerger les qualites urbanistiques des tissus et d’identifier les opportunites de densification visant l’amelioration du cadre de vie. Ces analyses ont ete compilees sous forme de fiches qui composent la presente publication.
1 Predictive Modeling in Actuarial Science

Chapter Preview. Predictive modeling involves the use of data to forecast future events. It relies on capturing relationships between explanatory variables and the predicted variables from past occurrences and exploiting them to predict future outcomes. The goal of this two-volume set is to build on the training of actuaries by developing the fundamentals of predictive modeling and providing corresponding applications in actuarial science, risk management, and insurance. This introduction sets the stage for these volumes by describing the conditions that led to the need for predictive modeling in the insurance industry. It then traces the evolution of predictive modeling that led to the current statistical methodologies that prevail in actuarial science today.
Sorption Properties of a Bentonite Based Material for Removal of Uranium from Alum Shale Leachate

A dynamic sorption experiment was performed for removal of uranium (VI or 6+) from a leachate from an alum shale landfill with a diatomite-bentonite based sorbent in a laboratory scale. Such material was grounded and treated chemically with H3PO4 (phosphoric acid) and thermally for improving its porosity and resistance to water flow. A specific surface area of 209 m·g was determined by the BET method. A sorption capacity of 30 μg·g and 0.6 μg·g was obtained at a pH of 7.5 and 4 respectively by means of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The flow rate of 3 mL·min was effective for controlling the pH inside of the column. The sorption mechanism was investigated along with desorption of the element of interest for further process design considerations for a treatment unit on the landfill site.
Covered stents in giant coronary artery aneurysm.

A 71-year-old woman presented with stable angina pectoris. On coronary angiography, a giant aneurysm of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) measuring 70 × 40 mm was seen. The aneurysm was lined with thrombus ( Panel A : aneurysm indicated by large arrows and lumen indicated by small arrows; see Supplementary material online, Video S1 ). Proximal and distal to the aneurysm, the LAD was …
Fecal Elastase 1 Measurement Compared with Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for the Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatitis

Introduction Indirect tests of exocrine pancreatic function are thought to be of little sensitivity and specificity in mild to moderate insufficiency as compared with direct function tests. Direct tests, which are claimed to be the “gold standard” of functional diagnosis, are too complicated to be performed on great numbers of patients and are not standardized. Aims To characterize the use of an indirect function test (fecal elastase 1 measurements determined independently from a direct test), in this study we compared it with the gold standard of morphologic diagnosis, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Methodology Data for 213 patients who underwent ERCP (104 males and 109 females; mean age, 54 years [8–89]) were collected prospectively, including fecal elastase 1 measurements and clinical and ERCP data. Results Elastase 1 findings correlated with pancreatic duct changes (p < 0.05). At a cutoff point of 200 &mgr;g/g, the positive predictive value of elastase 1 measurement for moderate/severe duct changes was 90.4%, and for any duct changes it was 96.8%. The sensitivity was only 45.3% for any duct changes but 76.5% for severe changes. Specificity for moderate/severe changes was 86%. Conclusion Fecal elastase 1 measurements appear to be valuable for characterizing patients at high risk for chronic pancreatitis, even if their sensitivity is lower than that of direct tests.
Genetic engineering of grass cell wall polysaccharides for biorefining

Summary Grasses represent an abundant and widespread source of lignocellulosic biomass, which has yet to fulfil its potential as a feedstock for biorefining into renewable and sustainable biofuels and commodity chemicals. The inherent recalcitrance of lignocellulosic materials to deconstruction is the most crucial limitation for the commercial viability and economic feasibility of biomass biorefining. Over the last decade, the targeted genetic engineering of grasses has become more proficient, enabling rational approaches to modify lignocellulose with the aim of making it more amenable to bioconversion. In this review, we provide an overview of transgenic strategies and targets to tailor grass cell wall polysaccharides for biorefining applications. The bioengineering efforts and opportunities summarized here rely primarily on (A) reprogramming gene regulatory networks responsible for the biosynthesis of lignocellulose, (B) remodelling the chemical structure and substitution patterns of cell wall polysaccharides and (C) expressing lignocellulose degrading and/or modifying enzymes in planta. It is anticipated that outputs from the rational engineering of grass cell wall polysaccharides by such strategies could help in realizing an economically sustainable, grass‐derived lignocellulose processing industry.