Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributional records of Ross Sea (Antarctica) Tanaidacea from museum samples stored in the collections of the Italian National Antarctic Museum (MNA) and the New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)

Abstract Here we present distributional records for Tanaidacea specimens collected during several Antarctic expeditions to the Ross Sea: the Italian PNRA expeditions (“V”, 1989/1990; “XI”, 1995/1996; “XIV”, 1998/1999; “XIX”, 2003/2004; “XXV”, 2009/2010) and the New Zealand historical (New Zealand Oceanographic Institute, NZOI, 1958-1961) and recent (“TAN0402 BIOROSS” voyage, 2004 and “TAN0802 IPY-CAML Oceans Survey 20/20” voyage, 2008) expeditions. Tanaidaceans were obtained from bottom samples collected at depths ranging from 16 to 3543 m by using a variety of sampling gears. On the whole, this contribution reports distributional data for a total of 2953 individuals belonging to 33 genera and 50 species. All vouchers are permanently stored in the Italian National Antarctic Museum collection (MNA), Section of Genoa (Italy) and at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA Invertebrate Collection), Wellington (New Zealand).
Electric-thermal photovoltaic model characteristics validation

This work introduces a electric-thermal model for a photovoltaic (PV) cell which combines electrical and thermal parameters, and also incorporates dynamic characteristics and accurate modeling in the reverse-bias region. Incoming irradiance and ambient temperature are used to calculate the PV cell temperature based on a five-layer thermal model. The cell temperature in the electrical model is updated according to the thermal model to accurately adjust the PV cell output electrical characteristics. To test and validate the electrical and thermal characteristics of the PV cell, a custom setup was built that allows temperature measurement at the PV cell and glass surfaces. Performance of the electric-thermal model in both forward- and reverse-bias region is verified using experimental data in realistic scenarios. This PV model can be scaled up and used to simulate PV systems in a wide variety of applications, extreme environmental conditions, and fault conditions.
Animation and adults: Between the virtual and social reality

In our modern societies, the reality that we live is continuously transformed by technology, different ways of communication and multiple information, creating a (new) virtual reality. How is our social world linked to the virtual world? Animated films may help us to discover and understand this interface, in which their boundaries may not be clear. What we call human reality approaches fantasy realms in the virtual worlds. The aim of this study is to explore what animated films transmit to an adult population — what they feel and what they value in animated films, trying to understand the importance of animated films in adults' lives. It is also intended to explore which technologies are most used to consult information about animated films, and which are the most important reasons for choosing an animated film, instead of other styles of movies. Our study consists in the development of two focus groups, with adult participants, between 25 and 35 years. This study is part of a master's thesis that is under development. Through the focus group we aim to obtain data and gather knowledge about our research topic. The results will help us to verify the most relevant factors and indicating the items to include in a questionnaire that will be used in a next study.
Virulence Genes and Genotypic Associations in Nasal Carriage, Community-Associated Methicillin-Susceptible and Methicillin-Resistant USA400 Staphylococcus aureus Isolates

ABSTRACT It is not well understood why strains of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA), a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections, became successful so quickly, overtaking the place of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) in many communities. To evaluate the genetic basis of differences in their virulence traits, 293 S. aureus isolates consisting of three cohorts, genotypically defined clinical CA-MRSA (n = 77), clinical MSSA (n = 103), and nasal carriage MSSA (n = 113), collected over a 19-year period in two Midwestern states in the United States, were (i) extensively genotyped and (ii) screened for 40 known virulence genes which included those for enterotoxins, leukocidins, hemolysins, and surface proteins and several newly identified putative toxin genes from the USA400 lineage of CA-MRSA. Genotypically, nasal carriage and clinical MSSA isolates were much more diverse than was the CA-MRSA group, which was found to be of USA400 lineage only. Virulence gene profiles of the three groups showed that CA-MRSA strains harbored significantly higher percentages (≥95%; P value, <0.05) of the sea, sec, sec4, seg2, seh, sek, sel, sel2, ear, ssl1, lpl10, lukSF-PV, lukD, lukE, and clfA genes than did the carriage and the clinical MSSA group (range, 0% to 58%). Genes of the enterotoxin gene cluster, seg, sei, sem, sen, and seo, were present in the clinical and carriage isolates but not in the CA-MRSA group. These results suggest that the presence of additional virulence factors in USA400 CA-MRSA strains compared to the nasal carriage and clinical MSSA strains probably contributed to their enhanced virulence.
Evaluation of lymphangiogenic markers in Sézary syndrome

Sézary syndrome (SS) is regarded as a leukemic, aggressive subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) characterized by the accumulation of malignant T-cells in the skin, as well as by blood and lymph node involvement. To date there have been no data on the extent of lymphangiogenesis in SS or erythrodermic mycosis fungoides (eMF). Lymphangiogenesis represents the de novo formation of lymphatic vasculature and has been associated with the occurrence of metastatic disease and poor prognosis. In this study we investigated lymphangiogenesis in skin biopsies from patients with SS and eMF. The expression of VEGFR-3 was significantly higher in patients with SS (p = 0.0285) as compared to patients with eMF. LYVE-1, podoplanin (PDPN), and VEGF-C stainings showed a similar tendency. The number of PDPN-expressing lymphatic vessels (p = 0.025) as well as CD31-positive blood vessels (p = 0.0065) correlated with disease progression in patients with SS. We show for the first time a non-vascular pattern of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3, i.e. their epidermal expression in erythrodermic CTCLs, suggesting their role in lymphocyte trafficking to the skin.
Olfactory learning‐induced increase in spine density along the apical dendrites of CA1 hippocampal neurons

We have previously shown that rule learning of an olfactory discrimination task is accompanied by increased spine density along the apical dendrites of piriform cortex pyramidal neurons. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether such olfactory learning task, in which the hippocampus is actively involved, induces morphological modifications in CA1 pyramidal neurons as well. Rats were trained to discriminate positive cues in pairs of odors for a water reward. Morphological modifications were studied in Golgi‐impregnated neurons with light microscopy, 1 and 3 days after training completion. Spine densities were measured on the proximal region of apical dendrites and on basal dendrites after rule learning. Three days after training completion, the mean spine density on apical dendrites in neurons from trained rats was significantly higher by 20.5% than in neurons from pseudo‐trained and naive animals, which did not differ from each other. By contrast, there was no significant difference in spine density of basal dendrites among the three groups. As length and diameter of spiny dendritic segments did not change after learning, the learning‐related increase in spine density in neurons from trained rats may reflect a net increase in the number of excitatory synapses in the hippocampus following olfactory rule learning. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Complete Profile on Blind-your-eye Mangrove Excoecaria Agallocha L. (Euphorbiaceae): Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Aspects

Traditional system of medicine consists of large number of plants with various medicinal and pharmacological importances. This article provides a comprehensive review of the complete profile of an important mangrove plant Excoecaria agallocha L. (Euphorbiaceae) and elaborately describing the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties. It is used traditionally in the treatment of various diseases such as epilepsy, ulcers, leprosy, rheumatism, and paralysis. The latex obtained from the bark is poisonous in nature and may cause temporary blindness, thus it is also known as the blind-your-eye mangrove plant. Many phytoconstituents were isolated from the plant, which were mainly diterpenoids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, sterols, and few other compounds. The plant also showed many pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiulcer, anticancer, antireverse transcriptase, antihistamine-release, antifilarial, DNA damage protective, antidiabetic, and antitumor protecting activities. Hence, this review could help guide researchers anticipating to undertake further investigations in these directions.
Towards A More Practical Model for Mixed Criticality Systems

Mixed Criticality Systems (MCSs) have been the focus of considerable study over the last six years. This work has lead to the definition of a standard model that allows processors to be shared efficiently between tasks of different criticality levels. Key aspects of this model are that a system is deemed to execute in one of a small number of criticality modes; initially the system is in the lowest criticality mode, but if any task executes for more than its predefined budget for this criticality level then a mode change is made to a higher criticality mode and all tasks of the lowest criticality level are abandoned (aborted). The initial criticality level is never revisited. This model has been useful in defining key properties of MCSs, but it does not form a useful basis for an actual implementation of a MCS. In this paper we consider the tradeoffs stemming from a consideration of what systems engineers require at run-time and the actual properties of the model that scheduling analysis guarantees. Alternative models are defined that allow low criticality tasks to continue to execute after a criticality mode change. The paper also addresses robust priority assignment.
A buffer distribution algorithm for high-performance clock net optimization

We propose a new approach for optimizing clock trees, especially for high-speed circuits. Our approach provides a useful guideline to a designer, by user-specified parameters, and three of these tradeoffs are provided in this paper. (1) First, to provide a "good" tradeoff between skew and wire length, a new clock tree routing scheme is proposed. The technique is based on a combination of hierarchical bottom-up geometric matching and minimum rectilinear Steiner tree. Our experiments complement the theoretical results. (2) For high-speed clock distribution in the transmission line mode (e.g., multichip modules) where interconnection delay dominates the clock delay, buffer congestion might exist in a layout. Using many buffers in a small wiring area results in substantial interline crosstalks as well as wirability, when the elongation of the imbalanced subtrees is necessary. Placing buffers evenly (locally or globally) over the plane at the minimum impact on wire length increase helps avoid buffer congestion and results in less crosstalk between clock wires. Thus, an effective technique for buffer distribution is proposed. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. (3) Finally, a postprocessing step constraining on phase-delay is also proposed. The technique is based on a combination of hierarchical bottom-up geometric matching and bounded radius minimum spanning tree. The proposed algorithm has an important application in MCM clock net synthesis as well as VLSI clock net synthesis. >
Gather customer's real usage on mobile phones

This paper describes an application implemented on mobile phones with open OS (Windows CE and Symbian 6 and 7 compatible). Without any constraint for users, this tool gathers functionalities used (directory, calendar, SMS' number received and sent.), durations and navigations (presses on the keypad and history of windows opened). In addition, it allows to carry out experimentations, remote tests with real customers. With people having a mobile phone compatible, a first field trial achieved to test the tool. An operation description and different results obtained are presented. Furthermore, the limits and advices are also described.
Applying a Hopfield-style network to degraded text recognition

A Hopfield-style network model was developed and analyzed in detail by the author. This model has the advantage of higher storage capacity and less interference between stored memories than the classical discrete Hopfield network. The model is applied to machine printed word recognition. Words to be recognized are stored as content-addressable memories. Word images are first processed by an OCR. The network is then used to postprocess the OCR decisions
Innovación y competitividad: implicaciones para la gestión de la innovación

En este trabajo se analiza el efecto que la innovacion puede generar en la ventaja competitiva empresarial. El enfoque de la Empresa Basada en el Conocimiento y la teoria de Recursos y Capacidades son el prisma bajo el que se observa la innovacion como un proceso de aprendizaje, donde la empresa aprende a innovar y construye su propia capacidad innovadora mediante la gestion de sus recursos internos. El trabajo describe con profundidad este proceso asi como sus caracteristicas de las que se desprende la idoneidad de la innovacion para la supervivencia empresarial y la creacion de rentas.
Effect of paleoseawater composition on hydrothermal exchange in midocean ridges

Significance Circulation of seawater through midocean ridges results in large-scale chemical transfer between the solid Earth and oceans. Driven by magmatic heat, seawater undergoes hydrothermal reactions that affect the concentrations of Mg, Ca, SO4, and Sr in the oceans over millions of years. Changes in the composition of seawater during the past 500 million years may have previously unrecognized effects on the composition of hydrothermal fluids flowing back into the oceans through time. This work presents a model suggesting that Ca, and Sr exchange in particular, may have been much different in the geologic past, which has important implications for the interpretation of Sr isotope records in paleoseawater and ancient oceanic crust. Variations in the Mg, Ca, Sr, and SO4 concentrations of paleoseawater can affect the chemical exchange between seawater and oceanic basalt in hydrothermal systems at midocean ridges (MOR). We present a model for evaluating the nature and magnitude of these previously unappreciated effects, using available estimates of paleoseawater composition over Phanerozoic time as inputs and 87Sr/86Sr of ophiolite epidosites and epidote-quartz veins as constraints. The results suggest that modern hydrothermal fluids are not typical due to low Ca and Sr relative to Mg and SO4 in modern seawater. At other times during the last 500 million years, particularly during the Cretaceous and Ordovician, hydrothermal fluids had more seawater-derived Sr and Ca, a prediction that is supported by Sr isotope data. The predicted 87Sr/86Sr of vent fluids varies cyclically in concert with ocean chemistry, with some values much higher than the modern value of ∼0.7037. The seawater chemistry effects can be expressed in terms of the transfer efficiency of basaltic Ca and Sr to seawater in hydrothermal systems, which varies by a factor of ∼1.6 over the Phanerozoic, with minima when seawater Mg and SO4 are low. This effect provides a modest negative feedback on seawater composition and 87Sr/86Sr changes. For the mid-Cretaceous, the low 87Sr/86Sr of seawater requires either exceptionally large amounts of low-temperature exchange with oceanic crust or that the weathering flux of continentally derived Sr was especially small. The model also has implications for MOR hydrothermal systems in the Precambrian, when low-seawater SO4 could help explain low seawater 87Sr/86Sr.
Crude extract of Origanum vulgare L. induced cell death and suppressed MAPK and PI3/Akt signaling pathways in SW13 and H295R cell lines

Abstract Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) is a common aromatic plant used in Mediterranean and Asian Regions for treating respiratory diseases, painful menstruation, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Recently its role as an anticancer plant has been suggested, although oregano has been never evaluated into adrenocortical tumour cell models. This study analysed for the first time the anticancer effects of a crude extract of wild mountain oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) in SW13 and H295R cell lines. The crude extract was characterised by GC/MS and the toxic effects of oregano were first analysed by brine shrimp lethality assay. Our findings demonstrated that oregano decreased cell viability, survival, modified cell cycle and induced cell death (through necrotic process) and that the effects can be attributed to a blockade of MAPK and PI3 K/Akt pathways. These results suggest that oregano extract exerts anticancer activities in adrenocortical tumour cell lines, providing evidence for further research in higher models.
Design and Magnetic Noise Reduction of the Surface Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine Using Complex Air-Gap Permeance

Nowadays, developing electric motorization for land vehicles is essential owing to the crucial need to save energy. This paper presents the development of a tool used in optimal acoustic and electromechanical modeling whose highly accurate calculations and speed of resolution make it stand out from standard analytical and finite element (FE) models. By coupling an analytical model with static FE simulations, our hybrid model calculates a complex global air-gap permeance per area unit, to take into account magnetic wedge permeability, preslot height, and rotor shape. An unparalleled level of precision and speed of resolution is obtained for the computation of air-gap magnetic pressures. Several results of comparisons between acoustic measurements and simulations on a concentrated winding motor for different speeds are presented.
Air embolism during anesthesia for shoulder arthroscopy.

Venous gas embolism is a rare complication during arthroscopy, occurring when air or another gas is used to distend the joint. The case reported here appears to be only the second in which venous air embolism occurred during shoulder arthroscopy. The patient, a 28-yr-old man, was scheduled for elective arthroscopy of the left shoulder. There was no history of trauma to the joint, and MRI scans had not revealed any abnormalities. Arthroscopy was performed with the patient placed in the beach chair position. A syringe with air to the inflow portal was attached on the arthroscope and 50 mL of air was injected into the joint. Within 1 min after the injection, the patient experienced a marked decrease in endtidal carbon dioxide (from 4.0 to 1.5 kPa). Heart rate increased from 60 to 90 beats/min. An air embolism was suspected and the patient was placed horizontal. Nitrous oxide was discontinued. After 4 mm, the end tidal carbon dioxide concentration returned to 4.0 kPa. The surgical procedure continued and the patient subsequently made a full recovery from the anesthetic. Venous air embolism is very rare in shoulder arthroscopy, even though air is commonly used as the joint distending agent. In the present case, the authors believe that a vein was accidentally punctured during the stab incision or by introduction of the arthroscope into the joint. The increased intraarticular pressure resulted in air entering an open vein. An awareness of the possibility of air embolism, together with a high index of suspicion and vigilance, are important in arthroscopy. The precordial Doppler probe is an inexpensive, noninvasive, sensitive, and easy-to-use monitor. Carbon dioxide or normal saline are safer than IV air for distension of joints during arthroscopy.
Functional Decomposition and Its Applications in Machine Learning and Neural Networks

In this paper, we will begin with an overview of functional decomposition algorithms based on different graph coloring heuristics. We will then discuss the applications of decomposition strategy for the computer aided design of digital circuits and for the supervised learning of neural networks. While decomposition was used successfully in logic synthesis for several years, its application in the area of neural networks is a novel and promising approach. The computer experiments will show significant benefits in mini mization of silicon space required for digital circuit implementation as well as in reduction of training time for neural networks.
Painful Tendon Problems of the Hand: Trigger Thumb, Trigger Finger and de Quervain's Syndrome

Stenosing tenosynovitis is a frequent condition occurring in the hand and is capable of producing pain. Resulting in a constriction of the tendon sheath, it may be seen in a digit (known as trigger finger or trigger thumb), or in the hand and wrist (de Quervain 's syndrome). Symptoms, etiology, nonsurgical and surgical intervention, as well as postoperative care, of these conditions are reviewed. A review has been provided of the etiology, incidence, treatment, and postoperative care for trigger finger, trigger thumb, and de Quervain's syndrome. With early recognition and diagnosis of these conditions, it is important to remember that surgical intervention may often be avoided by the successful implementation of nonsurgical treatment.
M3 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors Regulate Cytoplasmic Myosin by a Process Involving RhoA and Requiring Conventional Protein Kinase C Isoforms*

Although muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) regulate the activity of smooth muscle myosin, the effects of mAChR activation on cytoplasmic myosin have not been characterized. We found that activation of transfected human M3 mAChR induces the phosphorylation of myosin light chains (MLC) and the formation of myosin-containing stress fibers in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-m3) cells. Direct activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) also induces myosin light chain phosphorylation and myosin reorganization in CHO-m3 cells. Conventional (α), novel (δ), and atypical (ι) PKC isoforms are activated by mAChR stimulation or PMA treatment in CHO-m3 cells, as indicated by PKC translocation or degradation. mAChR-mediated myosin reorganization is abolished by inhibiting conventional PKC isoforms with Go6976 (IC50 = 0.4 μm), calphostin C (IC50 = 2.4 μm), or chelerythrine (IC50 = 8.0 μm). Stable expression of dominant negative RhoAAsn-19 diminishes, but does not abolish, mAChR-mediated myosin reorganization in the CHO-m3 cells. Similarly, mAChR-mediated myosin reorganization is diminished, but not abolished, in CHO-m3 cells which are multi-nucleate due to inactivation of Rho with C3 exoenzyme. Expression of dominant negative RhoAAsn-19 or inactivation of RhoA with C3 exoenzyme does not affect PMA-induced myosin reorganization. These findings indicate that the PKC-mediated pathway of myosin reorganization (induced either by M3 mAChR activation or PMA treatment) can continue to operate even when RhoA activity is diminished in CHO-m3 cells. Conventional PKC isoforms and RhoA may participate in separate but parallel pathways induced by M3 mAChR activation to regulate cytoplasmic myosin. Changes in cytoplasmic myosin elicited by M3 mAChR activation may contribute to the unique ability of these receptors to regulate cell morphology, adhesion, and proliferation.