Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estudo de sistemas agrossilviculturais para produção de dendê (Elaeis guianeensis) em propriedades rurais de Tomé-Açu (PA).

(1) Natura Inovação e Tecnologia de Produtos Ltda, P & T, Plataforma de Tecnologias Sustentáveis – Área de Produção Vegetal. Rodovia Anhanguera Km 30.5, Polvilho, Cajamar (SP), 07750-000. Email: deboracastellani@natura.net e raulmonteiro@natura.net (2) Cooperativa Agrícola Mista de Tomé-Açu – CAMTA. Rodovia PA 140, km 02, Quatro Bocas, ToméAçu (PA), 68682-000. Email: camta@camta.com. br (3) Embrapa Amazônia Oriental, CPATU, Belém do Pará (PA), 66095-100. Email: okatu@cpatu.embrapa. br (4) Embrapa Amazônia Ocidental, CPAA, Manaus (AM), 69010-970. Email: chgeral@cpaa.embrapa. br (5) ComSensos Consultoria, Brasília (DF). Email:andremiccolis@gmail.com. br (6) Indústria e Comércio de Cosméticos Natura Ltda, Unidade de Benevides. Rodovia BR 316, Km 20, Benevides (PA), 69795-000. Email: maurocosta@natura.net
Improving hand and wrist activity detection using tactile sensors and tensor regression methods on Riemannian manifolds

Simultaneous and proportional control of a prosthetic hand and wrist is still a controversial issue, although giant steps have lately been made in this direction. In this paper, we study the application of a novel machine learning method to the problem, with the aim to potentially improve such control. Namely we apply different kernels for tensor Gaussian process regression to data obtained from an advanced, flexible tactile sensor applied on the skin, recording muscle bulging in the forearm. The sensor is a modular, compact bracelet comprising 320 highly sensitive elements organized as a tactile array. The usage of kernel functions with tensor arguments and kernel distances computed on Riemannian manifolds enables us to account for the underlying structure and geometry of the tactile data. Regression accuracy results obtained on data previously collected using the bracelet demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach, especially when using Euclidean distance and Kullback-Leibler divergence-based kernels.
Transfer of Spatial Context from Visual to Haptic Search

Under incidental learning conditions, spatial layouts can be acquired implicitly and facilitate visual search (contextual-cueing effect). We examined whether the contextual-cueing effect is specific to the visual modality or transfers to the haptic modality. The participants performed 320 (experiment 1) or 192 (experiment 2) visual search trials based on a typical contextual-cueing paradigm, followed by haptic search trials in which half of the trials had layouts used in the previous visual search trials. The visual contextual-cueing effect was obtained in the learning phase. More importantly, the effect was transferred from visual to haptic searches; there was greater facilitation of haptic search trials when the spatial layout was the same as in the previous visual search trials, compared with trials in which the spatial layout differed from those in the visual search. This suggests the commonality of spatial memory to allocate focused attention in both visual and haptic modalities.
Estimates of anthropogenic carbon in the Indian Ocean with allowance for mixing and time‐varying air‐sea CO2 disequilibrium

We apply to the Indian Ocean a novel technique to estimate the distribution, total mass, and net air‐sea flux of anthropogenic carbon. Chlorofluorocarbon data are used to constrain distributions of transit times from the surface to the interior that are constructed to accommodate a range of mixing scenarios, from no mixing (pure bulk advection) to strong mixing. The transit time distributions are then used to propagate to the interior the surface water history of anthropogenic carbon estimated in a way that includes temporal variation in CO2 air‐sea disequilibrium. By allowing for mixing in transport and for variable air‐sea disequilibrium, we remove two sources of positive bias common in other studies. We estimate that the anthropogenic carbon mass in the Indian Ocean was 14.3–20.5 Gt in 2000, and the net air‐sea flux was 0.26–0.36 Gt/yr. The upper bound of this range, the no‐mixing limit, generally coincides with previous studies, while the lower bound, the strong‐mixing limit, is significantly below previous studies.
Effect of PTX3 and Voriconazole Combination in a Rat Model of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the pharmacological activity of PTX3, administered in combination with voriconazole, in a rat model of pulmonary aspergillosis. The data indicated additive therapeutic activities of these compounds, as demonstrated by the amelioration of respiratory function changes, reduction of lung fungal burden, and increased survival. Overall, we provide clear evidence that the combination of PTX3 with a suboptimal dose of voriconazole might represent a therapeutic option under those clinical conditions where the use of voriconazole alone is not warranted for efficacy and tolerability reasons.
Motion estimation algorithm for scalable hardware implementation

Motion estimation is an indispensable stage of motion pictures encoding used in all common video coding standards, such as MPEG-2 [3] or AVC [4]. At the same time it is the most complex operation both in software and hardware implementation of an encoder that makes the choice of the appropriate motion estimation algorithm crucial in terms of increasing the entire coding process efficiency. This should be taken into consideration especially in case of real time processing. In this paper, a novel scalable multilevel algorithm for motion estimation is proposed. It is a fast motion estimation algorithm, using the block-matching mechanism, provided the motion vectors accuracy equal ¼ of the sampling period. Proposed algorithm is modular and scalable. First feature enables structure scalability, second provides mechanism to control of clock cycles number spend for motion estimation process. As a result the global clock-rate required for real-time processing can be adjusted.
A Contraction-based Ratio-cut Partitioning Algorithm

Partitioning is a fundamental problem in the design of VLSI circuits. In recent years, ratio-cut partitioning has received attention due to its tendency to partition circuits into their natural clusters. Node contraction has also been shown to enhance the performance of iterative partitioning algorithms. This paper describes a new simple ratio-cut partitioning algorithm using node contraction. This new algorithm combines iterative improvement with progressive cluster formation. Under suitably mild assumptions, the new algorithm runs in linear time. It is also shown that the new algorithm compares favorably with previous approaches.
Measurement and error analysis for C-band 15 meter TT&C station antenna G/T using Taurus A

Principle and method of measuring the earth station antenna G/T are described simply using radio stars. Calculating formula of various correct factors are given. Operating frequency band performance of C-band 15 meter TT&C station antenna G/T are measured directly using Taurus A, and measuring results accord well with prediction. Finally, G/T measurement error is analyzed, the results show that max RMS error of G/T measurement is less than or equal to plusmn0.38 dB in operating frequency band.
Visual performance with wave aberration correction after penetrating, deep anterior lamellar, or endothelial keratoplasty.

PURPOSE To investigate the contribution ocular aberrations have on visual performance by quantifying improvements in best-corrected visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) obtained with higher-order aberration (HOA) correction after penetrating (PK), deep anterior lamellar (DALK), or Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). METHODS Sixteen eyes were evaluated from 14 subjects who underwent PK (n = 5), DALK (n = 6), or DSAEK (n = 5) greater than 1 year prior to study enrollment. Ocular aberrations were measured and an adaptive optics system was used to correct ocular lower-order aberration (LOA) and HOA. VA and CS were measured for each subject with LOA or full-aberration correction. CS was measured at each of three spatial frequencies: 4, 8, and 12 cycles/deg. RESULTS All keratoplasty groups had more aberration than that of a normal myopic population and experienced significant VA gains with full-aberration correction (P < 0.0013). PK subjects had better VA than that of DSAEK subjects with LOA correction (logMAR VA 0.03 ± 0.05 vs. 0.25 ± 0.05; P = 0.0870). After HOA correction this trend persisted (P = 0.1734). DSAEK subjects also experienced less VA benefit from full-aberration correction than that of PK and DALK subjects. All keratoplasty groups demonstrated similar CS benefits from full-aberration correction despite differing higher-order root-mean-square magnitudes. CONCLUSIONS PK eyes had better logMAR VA than that of DSAEK eyes with LOA correction, whereas DALK eyes performed intermediate between the two. When full correction was applied, the same trend persisted. The findings suggest that factors other than aberration contribute to decrements in VA with DSAEK compared with PK.
New Branch-and-Bound Rules for Linear Bilevel Programming

A new branch-and-bound algorithm for linear bilevel programming is proposed. Necessary optimality conditions expressed in terms of tightness of the follower’s constraints are used to fathom or simplify subproblems, branch and obtain penalties similar to those used in mixed-integer programming. Computational results are reported and compare favorably to those of previous methods. Problems with up to 150 constraints, 250 variables controlled by the leader, and 150 variables controlled by the follower have been solved.
Factors that facilitate and hinder the manageability of living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in both patients and next of kin.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES This study aims to illuminate factors that facilitate and hinder the manageability of living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in patients and next of kin. Fourteen patients and 13 next of kin were interviewed. BACKGROUND The whole family becomes affected when a person gets the disease. Therefore, it is important to identify strategies for managing the life situation among both patients and their next of kin. DESIGN A qualitative descriptive study. METHOD This study based on individual interviews was performed in spring 2007. The interviews were subjected to qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The results indicate constant fluctuation between opportunities and limitations in individual ability - of patients and family members - to manage the life situation. Both patients and next of kin devised strategies to manage their situations through acceptance, living in the present and perceiving real presence and support from family, friends and authorities. Dysfunctional relationships with family members, friends, or authorities reduced the manageability of the situation. Furthermore, patients experienced difficulties managing their situations when forced into passivity and increased dependence. Next of kin experienced decreased ability to manage because of burden, lack of own time and feelings of being controlled. CONCLUSION The fluctuations in manageability and the similarities and differences between the pairs, indicate the importance of support, both for the individual and the family. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Fluctuations in manageability and similarities and differences between approaches to managing the situation suggest a need for input from caregivers, for the whole family. Family members need support and time for their own needs and also the opportunity to increase their awareness and understanding of the needs of other family members. This study may give health personnel insight into how to help families devise strategies to manage a complex life situation.
Diazoxide, a KATP Channel Opener, Prevents Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury in Rodent Pancreatic Islets

Diazoxide (DZ) is a pharmacological opener of ATP-sensitive K+ channels that has been used for mimicking ischemic preconditioning and shows protection against ischemic damage. Here we investigated whether diazoxide supplementation to University of Wisconsin (UW) solution has cellular protection during islet isolation and improves in vivo islet transplant outcomes in a rodent ischemia model. C57/B6 mice pancreata were flushed with UW or UW + DZ solution and cold preserved for 6 or 10 h prior to islet isolation. Islet yield, in vitro and in vivo function, mitochondrial morphology, and apoptosis were evaluated. Significantly higher islet yields were observed in the UW + DZ group than in the UW group (237.5 ± 25.6 vs. 108.7 ± 49.3, p < 0.01). The islets from the UW + DZ group displayed a significantly higher glucose-induced insulin secretion (0.97 ng/ml ± 0.15 vs. 0.758 ng/ml ± 0.21, p = 0.009) and insulin content (60.96 ng/islet ± 13.94 vs. 42.09 ng/islet ± 8.15, p = 0.002). The DZ-treated islets had well-preserved mitochondrial morphology with superior responses of mitochondrial potentials, and calcium influx responded to glucose. A higher number of living cells and less late apoptotic cells were observed in the UW + DZ group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the islets from the UW + DZ group had a significantly higher cure rate and improved glucose tolerance. This study is the first to report mitoprotective effects of DZ for pancreas preservation and islet isolation. In the future, it will be necessary to further understand the underlying mechanism for the mitoprotection and to test this promising approach for pancreas preservation and the islet isolation process in nonhuman primates and ultimately humans.
Intra-Golgi Transport: Evidence for Coated Vesicle-independent Transport

We investigated the role of ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) in Golgi function using biochemical and morphological cell-free assays. An ARF-free cytosol produced from soluble Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) extracts supports intra-Golgi transport by a mechanism that is biochemically indistinguishable from control transport reactions: ARF-free transport reactions are NSF-dependent, remain sensitive to the donor Golgi-specific inhibitor ilimaquinone, and exhibit kinetics that are identical to that of control reactions containing ARFs. In contrast, ARF-free cytosol does not support the formation of coated vesicles on Golgi cistemae. However, vesicle formation is reconstituted upon the addition of ARF1. These data suggest that neither soluble ARFs nor coated vesicle formation are essential for transport. We conclude that cell-free intra-Golgi transport proceeds via a coated vesicle-independent mechanism regardless of vesicle formation on Golgi cistemae.
XSmad2 directly activates the activin‐inducible, dorsal mesoderm gene XFKH1 in Xenopus embryos

Transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β family members play a central role in mesoderm induction during early embryogenesis in Xenopus. Although a number of target genes induced as an immediate‐early response to activin‐like members of the family have been described, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved. Our systematic analysis of the activin induction of the target gene XFKH1 reveals two regions that mediate activin‐responsive transcription: one, in the first intron, is targeted directly by the activin‐signalling pathway; the other, in the 5′ flanking sequences, responds to activin indirectly, possibly being required for maintenance of gene expression. We demonstrate that a 107 bp region of the XFKH1 first intron acts as an enhancer and confers activin inducibility onto a minimal uninducible promoter in the absence of new protein synthesis. It bears little sequence similarity to other activin responsive sequences. We further demonstrate that overexpression of a constitutively active derivative of Xenopus Smad2 (XSmad2), which has been implicated as a component of the activin signalling pathway, is sufficient for direct activation of transcription via this enhancer. Moreover, we show that XSmad2 acts indirectly on the proximal promoter element induced by activin via an indirect mechanism. These results establish the XFKH1 intron enhancer as a direct nuclear target of the activin signalling pathway in Xenopus embryos, and provide strong new evidence that XSmad2 is a transducer of activin signals.
Study of 5G New Radio and performance analysis through numerical simulation of the Physical Downlink Control Channel

The thesis is focused on the physical layer of the 5th generation of mobile communication, standardized by 3GPP as 5G New Radio. In the initial part there is a description of the physical layer of NR in general. A detailed description of the Physical Dowlink Control Channel follows. Finally it is presented the simulator implemented for the evaluation of performances.
Quantitative Analysis of Mouse Retinal Layers Using Automated Segmentation of Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Images.

PURPOSE Quantification of retinal layers using automated segmentation of optical coherence tomography (OCT) images allows for longitudinal studies of retinal and neurological disorders in mice. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of automated retinal layer segmentation algorithms with data from manual segmentation in mice using the Spectralis OCT. METHODS Spectral domain OCT images from 55 mice from three different mouse strains were analyzed in total. The OCT scans from 22 C57Bl/6, 22 BALBc, and 11 C3A.Cg-Pde6b+Prph2Rd2 /J mice were automatically segmented using three commercially available automated retinal segmentation algorithms and compared to manual segmentation. RESULTS Fully automated segmentation performed well in mice and showed coefficients of variation (CV) of below 5% for the total retinal volume. However, all three automated segmentation algorithms yielded much thicker total retinal thickness values compared to manual segmentation data (P < 0.0001) due to segmentation errors in the basement membrane. CONCLUSIONS Whereas the automated retinal segmentation algorithms performed well for the inner layers, the retinal pigmentation epithelium (RPE) was delineated within the sclera, leading to consistently thicker measurements of the photoreceptor layer and the total retina. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE The introduction of spectral domain OCT allows for accurate imaging of the mouse retina. Exact quantification of retinal layer thicknesses in mice is important to study layers of interest under various pathological conditions.
Robust Optimization Over Time: Problem Difficulties and Benchmark Problems

The focus of most research in evolutionary dynamic optimization has been tracking moving optimum (TMO). Yet, TMO does not capture all the characteristics of real-world dynamic optimization problems (DOPs), especially in situations where a solution's future fitness has to be considered. To account for a solution's future fitness explicitly, we propose to find robust solutions to DOPs, which are formulated as the robust optimization over time (ROOT) problem. In this paper we analyze two robustness definitions in ROOT and then develop two types of benchmark problems for the two robustness definitions in ROOT, respectively. The two types of benchmark problems are motivated by the inappropriateness of existing DOP benchmarks for the study of ROOT. Additionally, we evaluate four representative methods from the literature on our proposed ROOT benchmarks, in order to gain a better understanding of ROOT problems and their relationship to more popular TMO problems. The experimental results are analyzed, which show the strengths and weaknesses of different methods in solving ROOT problems with different dynamics. In particular, the real challenges of ROOT problems have been revealed for the first time by the experimental results on our proposed ROOT benchmarks.
Inverted-S Antenna With Wideband Circular Polarization and Wide Axial Ratio Beamwidth

A novel broadband circularly polarized (CP) antenna with wide axial ratio (AR) beamwidth is proposed. It is composed of two curved arms shaped like an inverted “S. ” The mechanisms of wideband CP operation and wide AR beamwidth are explained. To validate the concept, a prototype at C-band is manufactured and measured. Experimental results confirm that the antenna achieves an impedance bandwidth of 63% and a CP bandwidth of 42%. Furthermore, maximum AR beamwidth of 140° is achieved and wide AR beamwidth can be maintained in a frequency bandwidth of 35% in nearly all elevation planes. In addition, the antenna has the advantage of being easily extended to arrays. A four-element array using the proposed antenna is investigated through both simulations and experiments, and achieves 60% CP bandwidth and wide AR beamwidth. The proposed inverted-S antenna can realize wide CP bandwidth and wide AR beamwidth, and can easily form wideband CP arrays.
Assessment of Sarcocystis neurona Sporocyst Viability and Differentiation Between Viable and Nonviable Sporocysts Using Propidium Iodide Stain

Sarcocystis neurona has become recognized as the major causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in the Americas. At least 3 pathogenic species of Sarcocystis, including S. neurona, can be isolated from opossums. Methods are needed to ascertain whether these isolates are viable and capable of causing infections. In this study, the nuclear stain propidium iodide (PI) was used to differentiate between live (viable) and heat-killed (nonviable) S. neurona sporocysts. PI was excluded by live sporocysts but penetrated compromised sporocyst membrane and stained sporozoite nuclei of dead sporocysts. After live and dead sporocysts were mixed at various ratios, the number of unstained sporocysts detected after the staining procedure correlated significantly (r2 = 0.9978) with the expected numbers of live sporocysts. Sporocyst mixtures were also assayed for in vitro excystation and development in tissue cultures. The correlation between the percentage of plaques formed in tissue cultures and the percentage of expected infectious (live) sporocysts in each mixture was r2 = 0.6712. By analysis of variance, no statistically significant difference was measured between the percentage of viable sporocysts and the percentage of infectious sporocysts (P = 0.3902) in each mixture. In addition, there was evidence of a relation between PI impermeability of sporocysts and animal infectivity. These results suggest that the PI dye–exclusion technique can be a useful tool in identifying viability and potential infectivity of S. neurona sporocysts and in differentiating between viable and nonviable sporocysts.