Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterned progression of bacterial populations in the premature infant gut

Significance It is increasingly apparent that bacteria in the gut are important determinants of health and disease in humans. However, we know remarkably little about how this organ transitions from a sterile/near-sterile state at birth to one that soon harbors a highly diverse biomass. We show in premature infants a patterned progression of the gut bacterial community that is only minimally influenced by mode of delivery, antibiotics, or feeds. The pace of this progression is most strongly influenced by gestational age, with the microbial population assembling slowest for infants born most prematurely. These data raise the possibility that host biology, more than exogenous factors such as antibiotics, feeds, and route of delivery, drives bacterial populations in the premature newborn infant gut. In the weeks after birth, the gut acquires a nascent microbiome, and starts its transition to bacterial population equilibrium. This early-in-life microbial population quite likely influences later-in-life host biology. However, we know little about the governance of community development: does the gut serve as a passive incubator where the first organisms randomly encountered gain entry and predominate, or is there an orderly progression of members joining the community of bacteria? We used fine interval enumeration of microbes in stools from multiple subjects to answer this question. We demonstrate via 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing of 922 specimens from 58 subjects that the gut microbiota of premature infants residing in a tightly controlled microbial environment progresses through a choreographed succession of bacterial classes from Bacilli to Gammaproteobacteria to Clostridia, interrupted by abrupt population changes. As infants approach 33–36 wk postconceptional age (corresponding to the third to the twelfth weeks of life depending on gestational age at birth), the gut is well colonized by anaerobes. Antibiotics, vaginal vs. Caesarian birth, diet, and age of the infants when sampled influence the pace, but not the sequence, of progression. Our results suggest that in infants in a microbiologically constrained ecosphere of a neonatal intensive care unit, gut bacterial communities have an overall nonrandom assembly that is punctuated by microbial population abruptions. The possibility that the pace of this assembly depends more on host biology (chiefly gestational age at birth) than identifiable exogenous factors warrants further consideration.
Regulating Expression of Pyruvate Kinase in Bacillus subtilis for Control of Growth Rate and Formation of Acidic Byproducts

Our prior work has shown that a pyk mutant of Bacillus subtilis exhibited diminished acidic byproduct accumulation, dramatically elevated phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) pool, and reduced growth rate. To determine if a low acetate‐producing but fast‐growing strain of B. subtilis could be developed, we placed the expression of the pykgene under the control of an inducible promoter. Enzyme measurements proved that PYK activity of the inducible PYK mutant (iPYK) increases with the isopropyl‐β‐d‐thiogalactopyranoside concentration. Batch growth experiments showed that growth rate and acid formation are closely related to the induction level of pyk. Measurements of cell growth rate and acetate formation of the iPYK mutant at different induction levels revealed that a PYK activity of about 12% of wild‐type allows for good growth rate (0.4 h−1 versus 0.63 h−1 of wild‐type) and low acetate production (0.26 g/L versus 1.05 g/L of wild‐type). This is the first report to our knowledge of a metabolically engineered B. subtilis strain that allows good growth rate and low acid production in batch cultures. Finally, it was found that, by varying the pyk induction level, intracellular PEP concentration can be controlled over a wide range. The intracellular PEP concentration is intimately connected to the regulation of the transport of phosphotransferase system (PTS) sugars in the presence of glucose. Because there is no other method for modulating intracellular PEP levels, this finding represents a major advance in oneapos;s ability to dissect the function of the PTS and sugar metabolism in bacteria.
Investigation of SSTI Between Practical MMC-Based VSC-HVDC and Adjacent Turbogenerators Through Modal Signal Injection Test

With increasing applications of voltage source converter-based HVDC (VSC-HVDC), the potential risk of subsynchronous torsional interaction (SSTI) between turbogenerator and VSC-HVDC has been extensively studied in previous work. However, contradictory results were reported by different researchers. Unlike previous studies, wherein the oversimplified models of VSC and generator were used, this paper uses the full-scale model of a practical modular multilevel converter (MMC)-based VSC-HVDC and the multi-mass shaft model of a turbogenerator to analyze the characteristics of SSTI. Moreover, a different approach, namely, the modal signal injection test, is proposed to identify the damping of torsional modes and the impact from decisive factors such as the loading levels, control strategies of converters, and the coupling strength between VSC-HVDC and ac networks. Comparative analyses between the full-scale and the equivalent models have revealed how system modeling affects SSTI characteristics and helped to explain the inconsistencies among the results of previous studies.
Design of FBMC waveform by exploiting a NPR prototype filter

Filter bank multicarrier (FBMC) has been taken as a candidate modulation for the 5th generation (5G) mobile network, because it exploits well-shaped prototype filters to reduce the inter-symbol-interference (ISI) and inter-carrier-interference (ICI) in OFDM system. To achieve more flexibility in filter performances, this paper designs nearly perfect reconstruction (NPR) filters by relaxing the Nyquist condition (NYQ), and then, the spectral factorization is employed to extract the final prototype filters. As a result, the proposed prototype filter can outperform the generally used PHYDYAS filter in terms of the frequency selectivity, which leads to better bit-error-rate (BER) result in computer simulations of FBMC.
The environment in contexts: Environmental concern in the Komi Republic (Russia)

This study analyses environmental concern in the Komi Republic from the contextual perspective. The main research data consisted of thematic interviews of industrial workers (n = 114), teachers (n = 30), administration staff (n = 33) in the towns of Usinsk and Vorkuta in the Northern Komi Republic. In addition, the in-depth thematic interviews of state administrators, scientists and NGO actors are analysed as well as the survey study conducted in several regions in the republic. As a broad theoretical frame the study uses the context model, in which environmental concern in everyday life is interpreted at five closely connected levels. The study consists of four previously published articles, one submitted manuscript and a concluding chapter. As the major theoretical and methodological idea the study presents two different environments: a life-world of the individual, where environmental changes are perceived and experienced in a framework of everyday life, and secondly, global environmentalism’s Environment, which is nowadays in Western discourses viewed as a globe. This study focuses on the life-world perspective, and asks how these two environments communicate with each other in the particular contexts of the
A method to generate high-frequency magnetic field for GMI effects

In order to make an in-depth study on high-frequency characteristics of GMI effect, this article presents a practical method to generate the alternating magnetic field. Comparing three feasible ways, the microstrip line is the optimum selection. Based on equivalent analysis method and CST software simulation, the distributing of microstrip line magnetic field is analyzed separately. Comparing the results based on different method, simulation results validate that equivalent analysis method is correct. It also indicate that the thickness of substrate and breadth of conductor strip both influence the distributing of magnetic field seriously. In the end, it is suggested that high-frequency alternating magnetic field generated by microstrip line is feasible, and it provides a theoretic reference for the design of mocrostrip line.
A Quantum Probability Inspired Framework for Image-Set Based Face Identification

Face image-sets, each containing images belonging to the same subject, offer an abundance of information, which if properly aggregated would significantly outperform the classical methods based on single-shot face images. However, there must be a principled way to deal with uncertainties on how well each face image represents the subject. Uncertainties are imposed by various sources such as low resolution, occlusion, and face tracking failure among different face images. It is suggested that the mathematical foundations of quantum theory would construct a sound knowledge representation system. We propose a Quantum Probability Inspired Framework (QPIF) for image-set based face identification that enables dealing with such uncertainties by utilizing the notion of simultaneous decidability in quantum formalism. Information extracted from face images of known subjects form subspaces in a Hilbert space. When presented with a new face image-set, an ensemble of uncertain states is generated from the face image-set. Recognition is posed as an optimization problem to find the bestranked subspace to which the ensemble of states corresponds. Assessment of the proposed method on two publicly available databases demonstrates significantly better results compared to the state-of-the-art.
Intra-regional trade and income inequality: Where do we stand?

This paper assesses the link between intra-regional trade and within income inequality. To do so, we use a data sample of nineteen countries in the Asia-Pacific region - one of the most dynamic economic regions. Differing from the existing empirical literature, we employ the gravity model to explain income inequality in function of bilateral trade variables. We find that intra-regional exports can narrow within-country income inequalities, while the opposite tends to be true for intra-regional imports. Moreover, the creation effect of exports on income inequality seems to be dominated by the diversion effect of imports. Our finding also supports the hump-shaped relationship between per capita GDP and within-country income inequality described by the Kuznets curve.
Microfluidics in Late Adolescence

George Whitesides is a Woodford L. and Ann A. Flowers Professor at Harvard University. In this contribution he describes the development of microfluidic techniques, from the spark that ignited this branch of academic research and its industrial sibling, to potential future application within medicine, security and organic synthesis. The diversity in technologies as well as in applications makes this an intriguing story, but it is in the simplest of materials - paper - that we find some of the most successful applications so far.
Subjective Experience of Language Impairment and Psychopathology in Schizophrenia

The principal concern of this paper lies in the exploration of the possible role of the subjective experience of language impairment in shaping schizophrenic symptomatology. A previous model embracing the basic symptom theory and the vulnerability paradigm hypothesized that (self-perceived) impairment of receptive and expressive language and alexithymia may play a relevant role in facilitating the development of a nonparanoid prototype of schizophrenia. The experimental protocol which led to this model [emphasizing the comprehensive notion of ‘language capacity’ as pathoplastic modulator of overt schizophrenic syndromes (i.e. pathoplastic model)] was replicated on a wider schizophrenic sample, assessing contextually with diagnostic symptoms, depressive symptoms, alexithymia, subjective experience of negative symptoms and hedonic capacity. Since schizophrenics with self-experienced language capacity impairment did not differ from other schizophrenics, as regards positive, negative and disorganized symptoms, but just in negative symptom-related distress, an alternative interpretation of the possible role of the subjective experience of language impairment in schizophrenic psychopathology is proposed (i.e. idioplastic hypothesis).
On the Dynamics of a Two-Strain Influenza Model with Isolation

Influenza has been responsible for human suffering and economic burden worldwide. Isolation is one of the most effective means to control the disease spread. In this work, we incorporate isolation into a two-strain model of influenza. We find that whether strains of influenza die out or coexist, or only one of them persists, it depends on the basic reproductive number of each influenza strain, cross-immunity between strains, and isolation rate. We propose criteria that may be useful for controlling influenza. Furthermore, we investigate how effective isolation is by considering the host’s mean age at infection and the invasion rate of a novel strain. Our results suggest that isolation may help to extend the host’s mean age at infection and reduce the invasion rate of a new strain. When there is a delay in isolation, we show that it may lead to more serious outbreaks as compared to no delay.
Effects of climate change and horticultural use on the spread of naturalized alien garden plants in Europe

Climate warming is supposed to enlarge the area climatically suitable to the naturalization of alien garden plants in temperate regions. However, the effects of a changing climate on the spread of naturalized ornamentals have not been evaluated by spatially and temporarily explicit range modelling at larger scales so far. Here, we assess how climate change and the frequency of cultivation interactively determine the spread of 15 ornamental plants over the 21st century in Europe. We coupled species distribution modelling with simulations of demography and dispersal to predict range dynamics of these species in annual steps across a 250 x 250 m raster of the study area. Models were run under four scenarios of climate warming and six levels of cultivation intensity. Cultivation frequency was implemented as size of the area used for planting a species. Although the area climatically suitable to the 15 species increases, on average, the area predicted to be occupied by them in 2090 shrinks under two of the three climate change scenarios. This contradiction obviously arises from dispersal limitations that were pronounced although we assumed that cultivation is spatially adapting to the changing climate. Cultivation frequency had a much stronger effect on species spread than climate change, and this effect was non-linear. The area occupied increased sharply from low to moderate levels of cultivation intensity, but levelled off afterwards. Our simulations suggest that climate warming will not necessarily foster the spread of alien garden plants in Europe over the next decades. However, climatically suitable areas do increase and hence an invasion debt is likely accumulating. Restricting cultivation of species can be effective in preventing species spread, irrespective of how the climate develops. However, for being successful, they depend on high levels of compliance to keep propagule pressure at a low level.
An Investigation on First-Week Mortality in Layers

SUMMARY. The quality of day-old chick placement and management upon arrival have a major impact on first-week mortality (FWM) and subsequent welfare in layers. The present study investigated FWM and causes of FWM in 50 flocks of layers. Post mortem results from 983 chickens showed that 50% died from infections, whereas noninfectious causes, in particular dehydration and nephropathy with visceral gout, made up the remaining causes of mortality. Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis were identified as the most significant bacterial pathogens associated with FWM. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between FWM and total mortality during rearing, and a model predicting total mortality in the rearing period based on FWM was established. A statistically significant correlation between FWM and uniformity of the flock was not demonstrated at 1–2 wk of age or at approximately 15 wk of age. Genetic characterization of E. coli and E. faecalis provided evidence for a polyclonal nature of these infections in affected flocks, indicating different sources of infection. Results obtained underline the importance of minimizing FWM to a level less than 1%.
The effect of coating on leakage current characteristic of coast field aged ceramic insulator

Ceramic insulator is widely used in Indonesian electrical power distribution system. Based on previous research, it is obtained that silicone rubber coating can improve the performance of ceramic insulator due to better hydrophobicity. This paper presents performance of ceramic insulator with and without silicone rubber coating in a coastal area of Pangandaran. 6 silicone rubber coated and 6 uncoated of 20 kV distribution insulators have been installed in the field to get natural aging process for 5 years and 4 months. Along the aging process, their surface properties have been checked periodically. Monitored parameters are magnitude of leakage current, THD, hydrophobicity, and surface temperature of insulator. The result has shown that after 5 years and 4 months aging in coastal area without maintenance, silicone rubber coated ceramic insulator has better performance.
Effects of tobacco smoking on the survival rate of dental implants placed in areas of maxillary sinus floor augmentation: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effects of smoking on the survival rate of dental implants placed in areas of maxillary sinus floor augmentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched in duplicate up to, and including, October 2012 without language restrictions. Studies were considered eligible for inclusion if they involved the treatment of smokers and non-smokers with titanium implants and sinus floor elevation procedures. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Collaboration's quality assessment tool were used for the assessment of the risk of bias in included studies. Random effects meta-analyses were used to assess the number of implants lost in smokers vs. number of implants lost in non-smokers. RESULTS Of 3360 potentially eligible papers, eight studies were included. More than half (62.5%) of the studies found that smoking adversely affects implant survival in sites of sinus floor augmentation. Similarly, the pooled analysis indicated a statistically significantly increased risk of implant failure in smokers when the outcomes of all studies available to be included into meta-analysis were evaluated [RR: 1.87 (95% CI: 1.35, 2.58), P = 0.0001]. Conversely, a subgroup analysis including only prospective studies (3 studies) did not reveal significant differences in implant failure between smokers and non-smokers [RR: 1.55 (95% CI: 0.91, 2.65), P = 0.11]. CONCLUSIONS Although smoking was associated with implant failure in most of individual studies and in the overall meta-analysis, the detrimental effect of smoking was not confirmed when only prospective data were assessed.
An Agile Group Aware Process beyond CRISP-DM: A Hospital Data Mining Case Study

The CRISP-DM methodology is commonly used in data analytics exercises within an organisation to provide system and structure to data mining processes. However, in providing a rigorous framework, CRISP-DM overlooks two facets of data analytics in organisational contexts; data mining exercises are far more agile and subject to change than presumed in CRISP-DM and central decisions regarding the interpretation of patterns discovered and the direction of analytics exercises are typically not made by individuals but by committees or groups within an organisation. The current study provides a case study of data mining in a hospital setting and suggests how the agile nature of an analytics exercise and the group reasoning inherent in key decisions can be accommodated within a CRISP-DM methodology.
Inflation Effect on Value Calculation of Asian Real Option

This paper establishes a degree of influence between an inflation rate and a risk-free investment rate on the precision of estimated value of an Asian real option. It has been shown with an example that in the event of advancing by the inflation rate beyond profitability of risk-free investments, which is typical for Russia, an option valuation in a trinomial lattice will be lower than that in a binomial lattice. The result serves a useful purpose for analysts considering the fact that a trinomial model is a more accurate discrete model than a binomial model.
A novel intronic mutation in SHOX causes short stature by disrupting a splice acceptor site: direct demonstration of aberrant splicing by expression of a minigene in HEK-293T cells

Abstract SHOX, the short stature homeobox-containing gene, encodes a critical regulatory protein controlling long bone growth. We examined patients in one family, identified an intronic mutation, and expressed SHOX minigenes in HEK293T cells to characterize the effect on gene splicing. We identified a novel mutation at position –3 (c.-432-3C>A;g.6120C>A) of the intron 1 splice acceptor site; three short (height Z-score –2.4 to –1.7) children were heterozygous and the father (height Z-score –3.4) was homozygous. A wild-type minigene produced alternative transcripts; one utilized the normal splice site between intron 1 and exon 2, the other a cryptic splice site in exon 2. Mutant SHOX minigene generated only the smaller transcript. The exon 2 acceptor splice site is weak; an alternative transcript is normally produced using a downstream cryptic splice site. The c. -432-3C>A mutation causes further weakening, and the cryptic splice site is preferentially utilized, resulting in SHOX deficiency and short stature.
An eight-phase CMOS injection locked ring oscillator with low phase noise

This paper presents the design of a low DC power, low phase noise single-ended ring oscillator (RO) in 0.18 μm CMOS technology. It introduces a new RO output phase control technique. This RO uses a voltage pull-down circuit to produce different output signal phases. The proposed RO employs the pulse injection (PI) technique for phase noise and spurious signals suppression. The proposed injection locked ring oscillator (ILRO) can be used for phase shift keying (PSK) implementation. The proposed ILRO has an oscillation frequency of 4.5 GHz with a fine tuning range of 540 MHz. It consumes only a 4.25 mW of power while having a phase noise of -130.9 dBc/Hz @ 1MHz offset. Through this ILRO design, a figure of merit (FoM) of -197.68 dBc/Hz has been achieved.