Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age, growth, and latitudinal patterns of two Rajidae species in the northwestern Atlantic: little skate (Leucoraja erinacea) and winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata)

Vertebral samples of little skate (Leucoraja erinacea) and winter skate (Leucoraja ocellata) were collected from Cape Hatteras, USA, to Canadian waters to estimate age, growth, and length at weight relationships for both species throughout this range. Maximum observed age was 12.5 and 20.5 years for little skate and winter skate, respectively. Significant length at weight relationships were found for both species. von Bertalanffy growth curves for the northwestern Atlantic were estimated for little skate (k = 0.19, L∞ = 56.1 cm, t0 = 1.17, p < 0.0001, n = 236) and winter skate (k = 0.07, L∞ = 122.1 cm, t0 = 2.07, p < 0.0001, n = 229). Additionally, latitudinal patterns in size and growth were observed in little skate, with individuals in northern regions growing slower and reaching a larger asymptotic size: von Bertalanffy growth estimates (mid-Atlantic, k = 0.22, L∞ = 53.26 cm, t0 = 1.04, p < 0.0001; southern New England  Georges Bank, k = 0.20, L∞ = 54.34 cm, t0 = 1.22, p < 0.0001; Gulf of Maine, k.
streamLoader: An Event-Driven ETL System for the On-line Processing of Heterogeneous Sensor Data

ETL (Extraction-Transform-Load) tools, traditionally developed to operate oine on historical data for feeding Datawarehouses, need to be enhanced to deal with big and fresh data and be executed at network level during data streams acquisition. In this paper, we present StreamLoader, a Web application for the specication of conceptual ETL dataows on heterogeneous sensor data that leverages the peculiarities of network conguration, data stream management, and specication and deployment of ETL operations in a programmable network. It can be used for feeding traditional/ real-time data-warehouses or visual analytic tools.
The First Total Synthesis of Aspergillusol A, an α-Glucosidase Inhibitor

The first total synthesis of aspergillusol A, an α-glucosidase inhibitor, was accomplished in an overall high yielding reaction sequence. A convergent synthetic approach was adopted; the erythritol segment of the molecule was derived from L-arabinose, whereas hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid oxime was built up from 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde.
The Taxon Concept: Is it Taxonic?

The question of whether the concept of a “taxon” (a nonarbitrary latent category) is itself categorical, or is a matter of degree, has lain dormant within taxometrics. I analyze the problem conceptually. Part of the meaning of “taxon,” I hold, goes beyond the manifest statistical properties of admixed probability distributions; any of certain forms of causal nexus leading to admixed distributions are involved as well. I defend the thesis that the threshold question, “Is there a taxon? ” has a yes-or-no answer, establishing that “taxonicity” is categorical (taxonic), but also that as some taxa are much more readily distinguished from their complement classes than are others, the taxon question is also quantitative. It is on this basis that Meehl and others held the view that taxonicity is a matter of degree; however, they were wrong to hold that it is only a matter of degree.
Input Current Harmonics in a Regenerative Multicell Inverter With Single-Phase PWM Rectifiers

Harmonics are a very important issue in the design and operation of medium-voltage inverter drives, due to restrictions imposed by regulations. This paper studies the harmonics generated by a three-phase multicell cascade inverter, with single-phase pulsewidth modulation rectifiers at the input side of each cell; thus, the entire topology is able to regenerate power to the net. This paper identifies accurately the harmonic generation process in the dc-link voltage, the input current of each cell, and, therefore, at the input side of the inverter. Moreover, this paper proposes a method to reduce and, in some cases, eliminate the input current harmonics, reaching a very high input power factor for any operation condition. Simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the theoretical analysis.
Genre and Structure: Toward an Actantial Typology of Narrative Genres and Modes

Claude Levi-Strauss is famous for ingenious solutions to literary puzzles-his explanation of the structure of the Oedipus myth is an example-but he has left some puzzles of his own to be decoded. One of the most tantalizing is the Boolean matrix which he offers as "a structural model defined as the group of transformations of a small number of elements" (S&F, p. 183)1 to account for Vladimir Propp's linear formula for the structure of Russian wondertales. In "Structure and Form: Reflections on a Work by Vladimir Propp," Levi-Strauss discusses the limitations of the formula Propp had propounded in Morphology of the Folktale. In place of the fixed order of the thirty-one "functions" Propp had isolated in the Russian wondertale, narrative events involving seven "dramatis personae" which always occur in the same order, Levi-Strauss substitutes the following Boolean matrix:
Virtual World Security Inspection

Virtual property theft is a serious problem that exists in virtual worlds. Legitimate users of these worlds invest considerable amounts of time, effort and real-world money into obtaining virtual property, but unfortunately, are becoming victims of theft in high numbers. It is reported that there are over 1 billion registered users of virtual worlds containing virtual property items worth an estimated US$50 billion dollars. The problem of virtual property theft is complex, involving many legal, social and technological issues. The software used to access virtual worlds is of great importance as they form the primary interface to these worlds and as such the primary interface to conduct virtual property theft. The security vulnerabilities of virtual world applications have not, to date, been examined. This study aims to use the process of software inspection to discover security vulnerabilities that may exist within virtual world software – vulnerabilities that enable virtual property theft to occur. Analyzing three well know virtual world applications World of Warcraft, Guild Wars and Entropia Universe, this research utilized security analysis tools and scenario testing with focus on authentication, trading, intruder detection and virtual property recovery. It was discovered that all three examples were susceptible to keylogging, mail and direct trade methods were the most likely method for transferring stolen items, intrusion detection is of critical concern to all VWEs tested, stolen items were unable to be recovered in all cases and lastly occurrences of theft were undetectable in all cases. The results gained in this study present the key problem areas which need to be addressed to improve security and reduce the occurrence of virtual property theft.
Peer-to-Peer Streaming Peer Protocol (PPSPP)

The Peer-to-Peer Streaming Peer Protocol (PPSPP) is a protocol for disseminating the same content to a group of interested parties in a streaming fashion. PPSPP supports streaming of both prerecorded (on- demand) and live audio/video content. It is based on the peer-to- peer paradigm, where clients consuming the content are put on equal footing with the servers initially providing the content, to create a system where everyone can potentially provide upload bandwidth. It has been designed to provide short time-till-playback for the end user and to prevent disruption of the streams by malicious peers. PPSPP has also been designed to be flexible and extensible. It can use different mechanisms to optimize peer uploading, prevent freeriding, and work with different peer discovery schemes (centralized trackers or Distributed Hash Tables). It supports multiple methods for content integrity protection and chunk addressing. Designed as a generic protocol that can run on top of various transport protocols, it currently runs on top of UDP using Low Extra Delay Background Transport (LEDBAT) for congestion control.
Transparent, Nanoporous, and Transferable Membrane‐Based Cell–Cell Paracrine Signaling Assay

Dr. Y. Jang, Prof. K. Char The National Creative Research Initiative Center for Intelligent Hybrids School of Chemical and Biological Engineering Seoul National University Gwanak-ro 1 , Gwanak-gu , Seoul 151-744 , South Korea E-mail: khchar@plaza.snu.ac.kr Dr. H. Lee, Prof. J.-M. Nam Department of Chemistry Seoul National University Gwanak-ro 1 , Gwanak-gu , Seoul 151-747 , South Korea E-mail: jmnam@snu.ac.kr
Retrospective Analysis of Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated at a Tertiary Hospital in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

Background: Gram negative bacteria accounts for significant proportion of hospital and community associated infections responsible for significant proportion of hospital admission, and associated increased level of antibiotic resistance pattern. Based on this information, we retrospectively analyzed the prevalence and resistance pattern of gram negative bacteria isolated from clinical specimens submitted in a tertiary hospital in Original Research Article British Microbiology Research Journal, 4(11): 1235-1247, 2014 1236 Maiduguri, Nigeria. Methodology: Bacteriological data of gram negative bacteria isolates recovered from clinical specimens submitted to medical microbiology laboratory of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) between 2007-2011were extracted and analyzed. A total of 36,800clinical specimens were examined. Results: The prevalence level of gram-negative bacteria isolates was 24.09% (8865/36,800), majority (29.16%, n=2585) of the isolates were recovered from wound specimens. Escherichia coli accounted for 31.8% (n=2823) of the total isolates. High susceptibility was observed with fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides and cephalosporin tested, and resistance with cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol. Overall, 7.6% (n=671) of the gram negative isolates exhibited multidrug resistance pattern, Escherichia coli accounted for 39.9% (268/671) of the multidrug resistant isolates. Conclusion: The study highlights epidemiological characteristics of the gram-negative bacteria isolated in our hospital, with prevalence level of 24.09% and diverse isolation pattern which affirmed gram-negative bacteria clinical implication in hospital and community associated infections. In addition, the multidrug resistance pattern level of 7.6% is an indication for laboratory personnel to be aware of possible emergence of multidrug resistant strain among gram-negative isolated in the hospital.
[Cytologic and histologic methods in the diagnosis of conjunctival lesions: comparative study].

PURPOSE To evaluate both the efficacy and reliability of the cytologic method in the diagnosis of conjunctival lesions and compare it with the histologic examination. METHODS A prospective study on 31 conjunctival lesions was performed. Samples were obtained with a Kimura spatula. The lesions were, then, surgically removed and sent for histologic examination. The Papanicolaou technique was used for the cytologic examination. RESULTS The cytologic method showed high specificity (100%) and sensitivity (92.9%). The positive predictive value was 100% and the negative was 94.4%. CONCLUSIONS The simple cytologic method is effective and reliable for the diagnosis of tumoral lesions of the conjunctiva.
Distal Rectal Skip-Segment Hirschsprung Disease and the Potential for False-Negative Diagnosis

In skip-segment Hirschsprung disease (SS-HSCR), an aganglionic segment of bowel, which extends proximally from the distal rectum, is interrupted by a ganglionated “skip segment. ” Skip segments are usually located far proximal to the rectum where they do not interfere with initial diagnosis, although the possibility of distal SS-HSCR should be considered during interpretation of intraoperative biopsies or patients with atypical postoperative courses. We report 2 cases of SS-HSCR with skip areas in the distal rectum, 1 of which led to a false-negative diagnosis by suction rectal biopsy. These 2 cases of SS-HSCR, along with others in the literature, highlight the point that ganglionic skip segments can confuse clinicians and lead to inadequate bowel resection, diagnostic delay, or a false-negative diagnosis. The pathogenesis of SS-HSCR is discussed in light of recent discoveries regarding transmesenteric migration of vagal neural crest cells and the role of sacral neural crest cells in hindgut neurodevelopment.
Expression and Distribution of the Duck Enteritis Virus UL51 Protein in Experimentally Infected Ducks

Abstract To determine the expression and distribution of tegument proteins encoded by duck enteritis virus (DEV) UL51 gene in tissues of experimentally infected ducks, for the first time, an immunoperoxidase staining method to detect UL51 protein (UL51p) in paraffin-embedded tissues is reported. A rabbit anti-UL51 polyclonal serum, raised against a recombinant 6-His-UL51 fusion protein expressed in Escherichia coli, was prepared, purified, and used as primary antibodies. Fifty-eight 30-day-old DEV-free ducks were intramuscularly inoculated with the pathogenic DEV CHv strain as infection group, and two ducks were selected as preinfection group. The tissues were collected at sequential time points between 2 and 480 hr postinoculation (PI) and prepared for immunoperoxidase staining. DEV UL51p was first found in the spleen and liver at 8 hr PI; in the bursa of Fabricius and thymus at 12 hr PI; in the Harders glands, esophagus, small intestine (including the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), and large intestine (including the caecum and rectum) at 24 hr PI; in the glandularis ventriculus at 48 hr PI; and in the pancreas, cerebrum, kidney, lung, and myocardium at 72 hr PI. Throughout the infection process, the UL51p was not seen in the muscle. Furthermore, the intensity of positive staining of DEV UL51p antigen in various tissues increased sharply from 8 to 96 hr PI, peaked during 120–144 hr PI, and then decreased steadily from 216 to 480 hr PI, suggesting that the expressional levels of DEV UL51p in systemic organs have a close correlation with the progression of duck virus enteritis (DVE) disease. A number of DEV UL51p was distributed in the bursa of Fabricius, thymus, spleen, liver, esophagus, small intestine, and large intestine of DEV-infected ducks, whereas less DEV UL51p was distributed in the Harders glands, glandularis ventriculus, cerebrum, kidney, lung, pancreas, and myocardium of DEV-infected ducks. Moreover, DEV UL51p can be expressed in the cytoplasm of various types of cells, especially most abundantly in the cytoplasm of lymphocytes, reticulum cells, macrophages, epithelial cells, and hepatocytes. The present study may be useful not only for describing the characteristics of UL51p expression and distribution in vivo but also for a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of this DVE.
Distribution et préférences d'habitats des baleines à bosse de l'hémisphère Sud en période de reproduction

L’etude des deplacements des baleines a bosse (Megaptera novaeangliae) en relation avec les parametres environnementaux permet d’apporter des informations precieuses sur leur distribution et leurs preferences d’habitats. Grâce a des donnees d’observations opportunistes collectees dans le canal de Sainte Marie (Nord-Est de Madagascar) et des donnees de telemetrie collectees pour cette etude (25 baleines equipees de balises Argos), cette these a pour objectif l’etude des deplacements et de l’utilisation de l’habitat des baleines a bosse de Madagascar en fonction du sexe et du statut reproducteur. Des variables physiographiques et oceanographiques (mesurees par satelllite) ont ete extraites sous chaque position. Un schema general d’utilisation de l’habitat en periode de reproduction a egalement ete propose a partir de donnees de telemetrie provenant de differentes zones de reproduction de l’Hemisphere Sud: le Bresil (n=82 individus), l’Australie de l’Ouest (n=26) et l’Australie de l’Est (n=11). Dans le canal de Sainte Marie, nos resultats ont montre une segregation temporelle d’un mois avec une premiere partie de saison dominee par les groupes avec baleineaux et une seconde dominee par les groupes sans baleineaux (Chapitre III). La profondeur influence la distribution des groupes sociaux avec une preference des couples mere-baleineau pour les plus faibles profondeurs (< 20 m). Le long de la cote de Madagascar, les deplacements localises des femelles sont associes a des habitats plus profonds et plus eloignes de la cote que ce qui avait ete suppose (Chapitre IV). En revanche, les mâles ne semblent pas montrer de preferences d’habitats particuliers bien qu’ils diminuent leur vitesse de nage dans les zones peu profondes. En zone oceanique, les individus se deplacent de facon plus erratique dans les eaux les moins profondes, de faible courant ou les plus riches en chlorophylle a. La vitesse du courant de surface ne semble pas etre un facteur majeur dans le deplacement des baleines a bosse. Cependant, elles semblent suivre la meme direction que celui-ci lorsque ce dernier est fort. Notre etude comparative entres les zones de reproduction a montre que la distribution spatiale varie selon la periode de la saison, entre les sites etudies et selon le sexe (Chapitre V). En debut et fin de saison, les mâles se deplacent de maniere plus directe et exploitent des zones plus au large que les femelles, notamment celles avec baleineau. Au pic de la saison, les mâles et les femelles effectuent des deplacements plus localises. La prise en compte des differences dans la variabilite spatio-temporelle des mâles et des femelles en zone de reproduction apparait etre une necessite pour mieux comprendre l’ecologie des baleines a bosse et contribuer a la conservation de l’espece.
Losartan benefits over atenolol in non‐smoking hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy: The LIFE study

We studied the impact of smoking in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study, which showed superiority of losartan over atenolol for reduction of composite risk of cardiovascular death, stroke and myocardial infarction in hypertensives with left ventricular hypertrophy. We compared hazard ratios in 4656 never‐smokers, and 3033 previous and 1499 current smokers, adjusting for gender, age, alcohol intake, exercise and race. Composite endpoint rate was higher in previous (28/1000 years), as well as current (39/1000 years) smokers than in never‐smokers (21/1000 years). Composite (hazard ratio 0.78, 95% CI 0.65–0.94, p < 0.01) and stroke (hazard ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.47–0.80], p < 0.001) risks were lower with losartan than atenolol in never‐smokers, but not significantly in previous smokers. Drug regimens did not differ in current smokers (composite hazard ratio 0.99, stroke hazard ratio 0.94). Smoking–treatment interactions were non‐significant, but a borderline significant trend (p = 0.05) suggested decreasing benefit of losartan vs atenolol for stroke prevention from never‐ to previous to current smoking status. Smoking increased cardiovascular risk markedly in the LIFE study. The benefit of losartan vs atenolol is consistent with the overall conclusion of the LIFE study, although the treatment effect appeared largest in non‐smokers.
Multiple topogenic sequences determine the transmembrane orientation of the hepatitis B surface antigen

To investigate the mechanism by which complex membrane proteins achieve their correct transmembrane orientation, we examined in detail the hepatitis B surface antigen for sequences which determine its membrane topology. The results demonstrated the presence of at least two kinds of topogenic elements: an N-terminal uncleaved signal sequence and an internal element containing both signal and stop-transfer function. Fusion of reporter groups to either end of the protein suggested that both termini are translocated across the membrane bilayer. We propose that this topology is generated by the conjoint action of both elements and involves a specifically oriented membrane insertion event mediated by the internal sequence. The functional properties of each element can be instructively compared with those of simpler membrane proteins and may provide insight into the generation of other complex protein topologies.
Recharge des aquifères par les crues d'oueds

Le role des crues d'oueds dans la recharge des nappes en zone aride est reconnu et observe depuis une cinquantaine d'annees en divers endroits du monde. Ce phenomene a notamment ete mis en exergue dans le bassin experimental de Walnut Gulch en Arirona et dans la plaine de Kairouan en Tunisie. Apres un rappel du devenir de l'eau infiltee au passage d'une crue, et des nombreux travaux realises sur l'infiltration superficielle (transmission losses), qui permettent d'estimer en moyenne generale que 40 a 50% des volumes des crue s'infitrent dans l'oued, on decrit les differentes etapes de la recharge: percolation sous le lit du cours d'eau, mecanisme du transfert dans la zone non saturee, propagation de l'onde de crue souterraine dans l'aquifere. Les diverses methodes d'evaluation sont passees en revue: bilan hydrique, fluctuations piezometriques, methodes geophysiques et geochimiques, ainsi que les differents modeles de propagation-infiltration des crues en oueds. Les etudes de cas recensees montrent qu'il est tres rare que soient observes a la fois le ruissellement superficiel et la reaction de la nappe, et que plusieurs methodes d'estimation aient pu etre mises en oeuvre sur le meme site a titre contradictoire. Malgre les proges considerables realises, et en raison de la complexite du phenomene, les connaissances sont encore parcellaires, mais suite a une nouvelle impulsion des programmes de recherche, et a une experimentation recente de la multidisciplinarite, des avancees significatives devraient rapidement voir le jour.
Sequence Conservation and Functional Constraint on Intergenic Spacers in Reduced Genomes of the Obligate Symbiont Buchnera

Analyses of genome reduction in obligate bacterial symbionts typically focus on the removal and retention of protein-coding regions, which are subject to ongoing inactivation and deletion. However, these same forces operate on intergenic spacers (IGSs) and affect their contents, maintenance, and rates of evolution. IGSs comprise both non-coding, non-functional regions, including decaying pseudogenes at varying stages of recognizability, as well as functional elements, such as genes for sRNAs and regulatory control elements. The genomes of Buchnera and other small genome symbionts display biased nucleotide compositions and high rates of sequence evolution and contain few recognizable regulatory elements. However, IGS lengths are highly correlated across divergent Buchnera genomes, suggesting the presence of functional elements. To identify functional regions within the IGSs, we sequenced two Buchnera genomes (from aphid species Uroleucon ambrosiae and Acyrthosiphon kondoi) and applied a phylogenetic footprinting approach to alignments of orthologous IGSs from a total of eight Buchnera genomes corresponding to six aphid species. Inclusion of these new genomes allowed comparative analyses at intermediate levels of divergence, enabling the detection of both conserved elements and previously unrecognized pseudogenes. Analyses of these genomes revealed that 232 of 336 IGS alignments over 50 nucleotides in length displayed substantial sequence conservation. Conserved alignment blocks within these IGSs encompassed 88 Shine-Dalgarno sequences, 55 transcriptional terminators, 5 Sigma-32 binding sites, and 12 novel small RNAs. Although pseudogene formation, and thus IGS formation, are ongoing processes in these genomes, a large proportion of intergenic spacers contain functional sequences.