Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Spitzer Study of Debris Disks in the Young Nearby Cluster NGC 2232: Icy Planets Are Common around ~1.5-3 M☉ Stars

We describe Spitzer IRAC and MIPS observations of the nearby 25 Myr old open cluster NGC 2232. Combining these data with ROSAT All-Sky Survey observations, proper motions, and optical photometry/spectroscopy, we construct a list of highly probable cluster members. We identify one A-type star, HD 45435, that has definite excess emission at 4.5-24 μm indicative of debris from terrestrial planet formation. We also identify 2-4 late-type stars with possible 8 μm excesses and 8 early-type stars with definite 24 μm excesses. Constraints on the dust luminosity and temperature suggest that the detected excesses are produced by debris disks. From our sample of B and A stars, stellar rotation appears to be correlated with 24 μm excess, a result that would be expected if massive primordial disks evolve into massive debris disks. To explore the evolution of the frequency and magnitude of debris around A-type stars, we combine our results with data for other young clusters. The frequency of debris disks around A-type stars appears to increase from ~25% at 5 Myr to ~50%-60% at 20-25 Myr. Older A-type stars have smaller debris disk frequencies: ~20% at 50-100 Myr. For these ages, the typical level of debris emission increases from 5 to 20 Myr and then declines. Because 24 μm dust emission probes icy planet formation around A-type stars, our results suggest that the frequency of icy planet formation is ηi≳ 0.5-0.6. Thus, most A-type stars (≈1.5-3 M☉) produce icy planets.
Antimicrobial properties of Kupffer cells

To characterize the antimicrobial activities of Kupffer cells, I harvested macrophages from livers with a technique involving perfusion with collagenase and DNase. Ninety-nine percent of glass-adherent cells had typical macrophage morphology, 99% were esterase positive, and 60% phagocytosed opsonized zymosan when challenged with four particles per macrophage. Toxoplasma gondii multiplied within Kupffer cells from unmanipulated mice, but multiplication was intermediate between that observed in highly permissive peritoneal macrophages and highly activated macrophages. Intravenous injection of heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes, a stimulus known to activate macrophages in other compartments, resulted in a uniform, highly activated population of liver macrophages. Kupffer cells from P. acnes-injected mice were capable of generating reactive oxygen intermediates as shown by reduction of Nitro Blue Tetrazolium during phagocytosis of T. gondii or opsonized zymosan. In contrast, intravenous P. acnes injection did not activate spleen macrophages. Intravenous injection of P. acnes into athymic mice activated Kupffer cells, which suggested that T cells were not essential for this response. Kupffer cells were not activated in mice with latent Toxoplasma infection or during acute Giardia muris infection. Ordinarily, Kupffer cells became highly permissive for T. gondii during 48 h in culture, but inclusion of recombinant murine gamma interferon maintained their moderate inhibitory activity.
Strabismus in Down syndrome.

PURPOSE To determine the distribution of refractive errors and clinical characteristics of strabismus in patients with Down syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with Down syndrome attending the Izmir Association for Supporting Patients With Down Syndrome in Izmir, Turkey, were screened for strabismus and refractive errors. All patients underwent a complete eye examination including cycloplegic refraction and dilated fundus examination. Ocular alignment was evaluated using the cover test and either the Krimsky or the Hirschberg corneal reflex test depending on the cooperation of the patient. Strabismic and nonstrabismic patients were compared for refractive errors, anisometropia, and amblyopia. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients with an average (+/- standard deviation) age of 9.30 years (+/- 6.14 years; range, 1 to 31 years) were screened. Twenty-five (44%) were female and 32 (56%) were male. Eleven patients (19%) had strabismus. Ten (18%) had esotropia and 1 (2%) had exotropia. Infantile esotropia was observed in 3 patients who had no significant refractive errors. Seven patients had acquired esotropia; they had clinically significant refractive errors and anisometropia. A higher frequency of hypermetropia was noted in patients with strabismus (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Esotropia and hypermetropia are common in patients with Down syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment of strabismus and associated ocular conditions such as refractive errors and amblyopia may improve the quality of life for these patients.
OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTERSHIP ( PPP ) OUTCOMES IN E-GOVERNMENT – A SOCIAL CAPITAL PERSPECTIVE

Governments constrained by resources and driven by citizen expectations have been turning to private enterprises to leverage their efficiencies. This has led to public private partnership (PPP) initiatives in egovernance. However, partnerships have often not delivered the expected outcomes. Research has reported intangible factors like leadership, shared goals, open communication, trust, willingness to compromise and collaborate, respect etc. as critical success factors in PPP. This paper illuminates the mechanisms, and develops propositions to explain how and why the intangible factors influence the PPP outcomes. It also applies this framework to an eGovernance project to exemplify and discuss the insights drawn. A social capital paradigm is used to develop the theoretical framework.
Test method to determine flammability of aerospace materials

Qualitative correlations between ground upward flammability tests and flammability testing in microgravity indicate that the NASA STD 6001 Test 1 provides conservative results by sustaining flaming combustion in less severe environments than those in which extinguishment occurs in quiescent microgravity environments. The upward flammability test is conducted in the most severe flaming combustion environment expected in the spacecraft. Its pass/fail test logic does not allow a precise quantitative comparison with other ground or microgravity materials flammability test results. Thus, although reasonable from a flammability safety point of view, the test is likely to eliminate materials that may be safe for use on spacecraft. A different test logic that will determine materials self-extinguishment limits is suggested to address these impediments. Data to support this approach are presented, including self-extinguishment limits in concurrent and countercurrent flows and under quiescent conditions. The proposed method will allow continued use of existing NASA flammability data and make possible quantitative correlations between ground testing and microgravity test results. Quantitative correlations between ground test results and microgravity combustion data will improve the aerospace materials selection process and allow realistic estimates of spacecraft fire extinguishment requirements. Theoretical analyses of flaming combustion will be possible, leading to a better understanding of materials combustion. This will benefit not only the aerospace community, but also the combustion community at large.
An Overview of Public Concerns During the Recovery Period after a Major Earthquake: Nepal Twitter Analysis

In responding to disasters, Twitter is extensively used, both for information exchange and mapping the crisis, among citizens, and in relation to national and international humanitarian responders. This paper reports Twitter analysis aimed at identifying the most pressing issues that arose in the short term recovery phase starting about a week after the Nepal earthquake, including the heretofore neglected topic of mismatch between international relief and local cultures. Based on Twitter data collected between April 30th and May 6th 2015. 1,074,864 raw messages apparently related to the Nepal earthquake were retrieved, filtered and analyzed. This exploratory adapts established frameworks for use in the dataset. The results show that our framework can identify several unique problems, including that disaster relief efforts can trigger negative sentiments when they are conducted without understanding of the local cultures.
Fatores associados à adiponectina e proteína c-reativa em crianças de Nova Era-MG.

In children, the presence of obesity is a major risk factor for the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases on the adulthood. Studies on inflammatory biomarkers and cardiovascular risk markers are important for early detection of groups with potential risks for cardiometabolic diseases and implementation of prevention since the subject's childhood. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between variables of body composition, anthropometric, clinical, biochemical and concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and adiponectin on schoolchildren 6 to 10 years of a public school from Nova Era-MG. In order to describe the nutritional status of school children, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009 with 1024 children aged between 6 and 10 years old using the Body Mass Index indicator for age (BMI-for-age). From this study it was observed prevalence of 2.3% underweight, 11.2% overweight and 6.4% obese. To compose the sample, we selected all children diagnosed with obesity (n=65), and for each obese child were selected two normal children (n=130) who belonged to the same school. Blood samples were collected after 12 hours of fasting to obtain serum and plasma. We performed anthropometric, body composition and blood pressure measurements. The sexual maturation was evaluated according to the stage of sexual development proposed by Tanner. We carried out the Student T test and Mann-Whitney U test for comparison of the groups, Pearson and Spearman correlation test and multiple linear. The independent variables that had p value < 0.05 were included in the regression model. For the adjustment of the best model, we evaluated the effect of multicollinearity and test to see influential observations. Residue analysis was performed to verify the validity of the models. Altogether 183 children were evaluated with an average age of 8.15 ± 1.34 years, and the sample was made of 59.02% (n=108) of female children and 40.98% (n=75) were male. Fasting plasma glucose (β=0.006, SD=0.003, p=0.032) and the percentage body fat estimated by skinfolds (β=0.013, SD=0.002, p<0.001) had better association with concentration of C-reactive protein (R2adjusted = 0.228). HOMA-IR (β=0.161, SD=0.254, p<0.001) and HOMA-AD (β=-27.3, SD=2.27, p <0.001) had better association with adiponectin concentration (R²adjusted=0.451). In conclusion, the percentage of body fat estimated by skinfold thickness and blood glucose were associated with C-reactive protein by 22.8% on children aged 6 to 10 years of Nova Era-MG. Therefore, due to the low cost of implementing these measures, its application in clinical practice for detecting cardiometabolic risk in children is recommended. On different models analyzed, anthropometric variables showed no explanatory power for concentrations of adiponectin, and only HOMA-IR and HOMA-AD entered the multiple regression model. Thus, we observe that the prediction equations of adiponectin have little applicability in epidemiological studies due to the cost of the dosages of explanatory covariates.
A tale of two coalitions – marginalising the users while successfully implementing an enterprise resource planning system

Classic analyses of system implementations view user participation as a key element for successful implementation. However, under some conditions, avoiding user participation offers an alternative route to a successful implementation; this is advisable especially when the user network is weak and aligning user needs with the technological capabilities will take too much resource. To illustrate such situation, we analyse how a successful implementation outcome of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system emerged in a recently established conglomeration of two previously independent universities. The ERP was used to replace several legacy student administration systems for both political and functional reasons. It was deemed successful by both project consultants and the new university's management while the users were marginalised (‘black boxed’) and left to ‘pick up the pieces’ of an incomplete system using traditional methods such as shadow systems and work‐a‐rounds. Using a process approach and an actor–network theory ‘reading’ of related socio‐technical events, we demonstrate how three networks of actors – management, the project team and the administrative users – collided and influenced the implementation outcome and how the management and project network established the ERP as a reliable ally while at the same time the users – while being enrolled in the network – were betrayed through marginalisation. Our analysis also suggests a useful way to conduct a ‘follow the network’ analysis explaining and accounting for the observed implementation outcome. We illustrate the benefits of using a socio‐technical processual analysis and show how stable actor networks must be constructed during large‐scale information technology change and how different actor groups perceive and influence differently the implementation outcome.
ANALYSIS OF PREDISPOSING CLINICAL AND LABORATORY FINDINGS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENDOGENOUS FUNGAL ENDOPHTHALMITIS: A Retrospective 12-Year Study of 79 Eyes of 46 Patients

Purpose To analyze the predisposing factors for the development of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis (EFE) for its early diagnosis and treatment. Subjects and Methods Seventy-nine eyes of 46 patients with EFE treated in the 12-year period between 1986 and 1998 were included. A retrospective analysis was conducted in respect to age, sex, underlying disease, visual acuity, findings in the anterior and posterior segments, fungal culture of surgical specimens, fever of unknown origin, neutrophils ≦ 500/mL, Cand-tec ≧ × 4, &bgr;-D-glucan ≧ 20 pg, and final visual acuity. Results The patients were 34 men (74%) and 12 women (26%) between 18 and 78 years of age (mean 57.2 years). Thirty-three of the 46 patients (72%) also were diagnosed with cancer. Fungal infiltration limited to the retina (Stage I) was noted in 13%, budding in the vitreous cavity (Stage II) in 40%, vitreous opacity (Stage III) in 29%, and retinal detachment with Stage III (Stage IV) in 18% of 79 eyes with EFE. Forty patients (87%) were undergoing intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH). The mean interval between the start of IVH and the onset of disease was 11 days. Vitreous surgery was performed in 26 eyes (33%). Candida albicans was detected from surgical specimens in 38%. Fever of unknown origin was noted in 76%, neutrophils ≦ 500/mL in 67%, Cand-tec ≧ × 4 in 57%, and &bgr;-D-glucan ≧ 20 pg in 90% of subjects. Conclusion In patients susceptible to opportunistic infection, &bgr;-D-glucan ≧ 20 pg (90%), IVH (87%), fever of unknown origin (76%), male sex (74%), the presence of cancer (72%), neutrophils ≦ 500/mL (67%), and Cand-tec ≧ ×4 (57%) were considered to be predisposing factors for the development of EFE.
A Calcium Dependent De-Adhesion Mechanism Regulates the Direction and Rate of Cell Migration: A Mathematical Model

Cell migration has long been studied by a variety of techniques and many proteins have been implicated in its regulation. Integrins, key proteins that link the cell to the extracellular matrix, are central to adhesion complexes whose turnover defines the rate of cell locomotion. The formation and disassembly of these adhesions is regulated by both intracellular and extracellular factors. In this study we have focused on the Ca2+-dependent protein network (module) that disassembles the adhesion complexes. We have developed a mathematical model that includes the Ca2+-dependent enzymes micro-calpain and phospholipase C (PLC) as well as IP3 receptors and stretch activated Ca2+ channels, all of which have been reported to regulate migration. The model also considers the spatial effects of Ca2+ propagation into lamella. Our model predicts differential activation of calpain at the leading and trailing edges of the cell. Since disassembly of integrin adhesive contacts is proportional to the degree of calpain activation, this leads to cell migration in a preferred direction. We show how the dynamics of Ca2+ spiking affects calpain activation and thus changes the disassembly rate of adhesions. The spiking is controlled by PLC activity and currents through stretch-activated Ca2+ channels. Our model thus combines the effects of various molecular factors and leads to a consistent explanation of the regulation of the rate and direction of cell migration.
Searching for Self and Relationships Online

The purpose of this project was to study how Internet use relates to psychological well-being, relationships, the self and identity. University students (N = 203) completed a battery of questionnaires including measures of time spent online, "pathological" Internet use, Internet motivation, loneliness, relationship quality, self-concept clarity, and ego identity. Results showed positive relationships between measures of Internet use and loneliness. As well, face-to-face relationships were rated higher on both positive and negative quality dimensions relative to online relationships. Finally, Internet use was negatively correlated with self-concept clarity, and associated with moratorium identity status. These results suggest that the Internet may be an important aid for young adults as they searched for an adult identity.
Role of oxidative stress‐induced endothelin‐converting enzyme activity in the alteration of carotid body function by chronic intermittent hypoxia

• What is the central question of this study? What mechanisms mediate chronic intermittent hypoxia‐induced increases in endothelin‐1 in the carotid body? • What is the main finding and its importance? Upregulation of endothelin‐1 by chronic intermittent hypoxia results from reactive oxygen species‐dependent activation of endothelin‐converting enzyme and is not the result of augmented endothelin‐1 gene transcriptional activity. The resultant increased endothelin‐1 acts via endothelin‐1A receptors to induce hypoxic hypersensitivity of the carotid body but does not contribute to the sensory long‐term facilitation observed in this condition. These findings provide mechanistic insight into how chronic intermittent hypoxia alters carotid body function.
Internal connectivity of meandering rivers: Statistical generalization of channel hydraulic geometry

The geometry of rivers has been characterized in terms of downstream and at‐a‐station hydraulic geometry, based on individual cross sections. Such analyses do not, however, provide insight as to how these cross sections are connected. We generalize the concept of hydraulic geometry, using data on bathymetry from four reaches of meandering rivers that include at least five bends. We quantify connectivity in terms of the probability that a connected path exists such that a given attribute remains within specified bounds along it. While the concept is general, here we apply it to vessel navigability. We develop a predictor for navigability in meandering rivers, which requires only the following, relatively easily obtained input: vessel draft, vessel width, bankfull depth, bankfull width, relative difference between current and bankfull water surface elevation, and length of desired navigation path. The predictor is applicable to both bankfull and below‐bankfull stage. A key input parameter is the standard deviation of the probability distribution of depth. This parameter, in and of itself, yields no information on connectivity as it does not capture the spatial orientation of depth variation. We find, however, that (a) the probability function for connectivity does depend on this parameter, and (b) its use allows for an approximate similarity collapse of the probability function, so providing a quasi‐universal predictive relation applying to all four reaches. The results also suggest potential application to more complex forms for connectivity that involve other or multiple in‐stream physical variables.
Implementing tactile behaviors using FingerVision

We explore manipulation strategies that use vision-based tactile sensing. FingerVision is a vision-based tactile sensor that provides rich tactile sensation as well as proximity sensing. Although many other tactile sensing methods are expensive in terms of cost and/or processing, FingerVision is a simple and inexpensive approach. We use a transparent skin for fingers. Tracking markers placed on the skin provides contact force and torque estimates, and processing images obtained by seeing through the transparent skin provides static (pose, shape) and dynamic (slip, deformation) information. FingerVision can sense nearby objects even when there is no contact since it is vision-based. Also the slip detection is independent from contact force, which is effective even when the force is too small to measure, such as with origami objects. The results of experiments demonstrate that several manipulation strategies with FingerVision are effective. For example the robot can grasp and pick up an origami crane without crushing it. Video: https://youtu.be/L-YbxcyRghQ
Psychosocial predictors of psychiatric disorders after living donor liver transplantation

Objective. Adult recipients of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) often have psychiatric disorders before and after surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate pretransplant psychosocial factors that can be used to predict psychiatric disorders after LDLT. Methods. The subjects were 67 recipients of adult-to-adult LDLT at Kyoto University Hospital, Japan, from November 2001 through July 2003. All subjects were interviewed and examined by means of the Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Assessment-26, and Psychosocial Assessment of Candidates for Transplantation (PACT) just before LDLT. The subjects were followed up for 90 days for the presence of psychiatric disorders. Results. Mood disorders in the past, inability to maintain a healthy lifestyle, family support instability, and suicidal ideation just before LDLT might be predictors of major depressive disorder after LDLT. Delirium just before LDLT might be a predictor of delirium after LDLT, while no psychosocial factors associated with posttransplant delirium could be found. Conclusion. Information about life history rather than any psychological examination is important for predicting the occurrence of posttransplant depression. PACT is useful for obtaining information about the life history of LDLT recipients.
MACAON Une chaîne linguistique pour le traitement de graphes de mots

MACAON est une chaîne de traitement linguistique séquentielle composée de plusieurs modules réalisant des traitements classiques (découpage en mots, étiquetage morpho-syntaxique, lemmatisation, analyse morphologique, analyse syntaxique partielle) sur une entrée textuelle native (produite par un être humain) ou sur des hypothèses multiples de mots, produits automatiquement. MACAON est distribué sous licence GPL et téléchargeable à partir de l’adresse macaon.lif. univ-mrs.fr.