Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Occupational and environmental risk factors of the myelodysplastic syndromes in the North of France

Aetiological factors of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are largely unknown, with the exception of alkylating agents, ionizing radiation and benzene. Some other risk factors have been suggested by the few epidemiological studies reported (solvents, ammonia, exhaust gases, metals, pesticides, alcohol). We performed a case–control study to assess the relationship between occupational or environmental factors and MDS. Two hundred and four patients with newly diagnosed MDS, and 204 sex‐ and age‐matched controls were included. Medical history, demographic data, lifetime exposure and hobbies were obtained. Qualitative and quantitative exposure to chemical and physical hazards were evaluated with the patients and reviewed by a group of experts in occupational exposure. The median age was 70 years and 62% of the patients were men. In univariate analyses, we found relationships between MDS and smoking habits, gardening, occupations such as health professionals, technical and sale representatives, machine operators, agricultural workers, textile workers, qualitative occupational exposures (exposed/non‐exposed) to oil, solvents, ammonia, pesticides, fertilizers, cereal dusts, contact with poultry or livestock and infective risk, and lifetime cumulative exposure to solvents, oil, textile dust and infective risk. The main risk factors of MDS determined by multivariate analyses (conditional logistic regression) were, being an agricultural worker [odds ratio (OR) = 3·66; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·9–7·0], textile operator (OR = 3·66; 95% CI 1·9–7·9), health professional (OR = 10·0; 95% CI 2·1–48·7), commercial and technical sale representative (OR = 4·45; 95% CI 1·4–14·6), machine operator (OR = 2·69; 95% CI 1·2–6·0), living next to an industrial plant (OR = 2·45; 95% CI 1·5–4·1), smoking (OR = 1·74; 95% CI 1·1–2·7) and lifetime cumulative exposure to oil (OR = 1·1; 95% CI 1·0–1·2). Further studies should be performed to assess specific exposures more precisely and it would be of interest to develop a map of haematological malignancies according to industrial background.
Risk management applied to software development projects in incubated technology-based companies : literature review , classification , and analysis Gestão

Software projects are subjected to several risk analyses, since risk related information can improve managers’ decision making. This paper aimed at performing a review, classification, and analysis of the literature on risk management applied to software development projects, with an emphasis on incubated technology based companies. This theoretical-conceptual research is justified for two reasons: first, because the bulk of the research literature has not sufficiently addressed this subject; and second, because a diagnostic study carried out with incubated technology based companies emphasized the importance of this subject to them. The literature used as the grounds for this study was selected from Brazil’s Coordination of Improvement for Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) database of periodicals, and classified by year of publication, place where research was conducted, type of study and approach, research aim, and research focus. We also conducted a survey of the most relevant current studies on risk management for software development projects, which revealed that studies on this issue, aimed at incubated technology based companies, are scarce. This indicates the need for empirical research to assist incubated companies in the identification of main risk factors for their business while reducing or eliminating the likelihood of failures.
Optimal Actuator Fault Detection for a TGSCM System Based on Disturbance Compensation

This paper focuses on the detection of actuator faults for a three-axis gyro-stabilized camera mount (TGSCM) subject to L2-norm bounded disturbances. First, the influences of the actuator fault are analyzed and, based on this, the system model with the considered fault is given. For the purpose of fault detection (FD), an observer-based fault detection filter (FDF) is applied to generate the residual, and the sensitivity to fault as well as robustness to disturbance is introduced. As a result, the design of FDF can be formulated as an Hi/H∞ optimization problem such that a sensitivity/robustness ratio criterion is maximized. To further improve its robustness, simultaneous FD with disturbance estimation and compensation is considered. Finally, experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. It is shown that higher performance FD can be achieved by using the FD scheme based on disturbance compensation.
Preoperative computer simulation for planning of vascular access surgery in hemodialysis patients

Introduction The arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis patients. Unfortunately, 20-40% of all constructed AVFs fail to mature (FTM), and are therefore not usable for hemodialysis. AVF maturation importantly depends on postoperative blood volume flow. Predicting patient-specific immediate postoperative flow could therefore support surgical planning. A computational model predicting blood volume flow is available, but the effect of blood flow predictions on the clinical endpoint of maturation (at least 500 mL/min blood volume flow, diameter of the venous cannulation segment ≥4 mm) remains undetermined. Methods A multicenter randomized clinical trial will be conducted in which 372 patients will be randomized (1:1 allocation ratio) between conventional healthcare and computational model-aided decision making. All patients are extensively examined using duplex ultrasonography (DUS) during preoperative assessment (12 venous and 11 arterial diameter measurements; 3 arterial volume flow measurements). The computational model will predict patient-specific immediate postoperative blood volume flows based on this DUS examination. Using these predictions, the preferred AVF configuration is recommended for the individual patient (radiocephalic, brachiocephalic, or brachiobasilic). The primary endpoint is FTM rate at six weeks in both groups, secondary endpoints include AVF functionality and patency rates at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02453412), and ToetsingOnline.nl (NL51610.068.14).
Remote Ischemic Conditioning and Renal Protection

Over the course of the last 2 decades, the concept of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) has attracted considerable research interest, because RIC, in most of its embodiments offers an inexpensive way of protecting tissues against ischemic damage inflicted by a number of medical conditions or procedures. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common side effect in the context of various medical procedures, and RIC has been suggested as a means of reducing its incidence. Outcomes regarding kidney function have been reported in numerous studies that evaluated the effects of RIC in a variety of settings (eg, cardiac surgery, interventions requiring intravenous administration of contrast media). Although several individual studies have implied a beneficial effect of RIC in preserving kidney function, 3 recently published randomized controlled trials evaluating more than 1000 patients each (Effect of Remote Ischemic Preconditioning in the Cardiac Surgery, Remote Ischaemic Preconditioning for Heart Surgery, and ERICCA) were negative. However, AKI or any other index of renal function was not a stand-alone primary end point in any of these trials. On the other hand, a range of meta-analyses (each including thousands of participants) have reported mixed results, with the most recent among them showing benefit from RIC, pinpointing at the same time a number of shortcomings in published studies, adversely affecting the quality of available data. The present review provides a critical appraisal of the current state of this field of research. It is the opinion of the authors of this review that there is a clear need for a common clinical trial framework for ischemic conditioning studies. If the current babel of definitions, procedures, outcomes, and goals persists, it is most likely that soon ischemic conditioning will be “yesterday’s news” with no definitive conclusions having been reached in terms of its real clinical utility.
EFFECTS OF MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITION BY CLORGYLINE, DEPRENIL OR TRANYLCYPROMINE ON 5‐HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE CONCENTRATIONS IN RAT BRAIN AND HYPERACTIVITY FOLLOWING SUBSEQUENT TRYPTOPHAN ADMINISTRATION

1 The effect of various doses of tranylcypromine on the degree of inhibition of rat brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) using 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), dopamine and phenylethylamine as substrates has been examined 120 min after injection of the inhibitor. The concentration of brain 5‐HT was also examined both after tranylcypromine alone and also when L‐tryptophan (100 mg/kg) had been given 30 min after the tranylcypromine. 2 All doses of tranylcypromine greater than 2.5 mg/kg totally inhibited MAO oxidation of 5‐HT, phenylethylamine and dopamine as measured in vitro and produced a similar rise of brain 5‐HT in vivo. When tryptophan was also given, there was a further rise of brain 5‐HT, which was comparable after all doses of tranylcypromine above 2.5 mg/kg and the characteristic syndrome of hyperactivity made its appearance. 3 Clorgyline (a ‘Type A’ MAO inhibitor), in doses up to 10 mg/kg, did not totally inhibit MAO activity towards phenylethylamine although it did inhibit 5‐HT oxidation by 100%. Deprenil (a ‘Type B’ MAO inhibitor) at doses up to 10 mg/kg did not fully inhibit 5‐HT oxidation although phenylethylamine oxidation was inhibited almost completely. Administration of either compound alone did not produce as great an accumulation of brain 5‐HT as that seen after tranylcypromine (2.5 mg/kg) and subsequent administration of tryptophan did not cause hyperactivity or the rise of brain 5‐HT seen after tranylcypromine (2.5 mg/kg) plus tryptophan. 4 Administration of clorgyline plus deprenil (2.5 mg/kg of each) almost totally inhibited oxidation of both 5‐HT and phenylethylamine; subsequent tryptophan administration resulted in a rise of brain 5‐HT nearly as great as that seen following tranylcypromine (2.5 mg/kg) plus tryptophan and the animals became hyperactive. 5 No evidence was found pointing to the formation of any other 5‐substituted indole in the brain following tranylcypromine plus L‐tryptophan administration as suggested by others. 6 It is concluded that while 5‐HT may normally be metabolized in the brain by ‘Type A’ MAO in vivo, when this form is inhibited, 5‐HT can still be metabolized by ‘Type B’ enzyme. It is only when both forms are almost totally inhibited that the largest rise of brain 5‐HT is seen and subsequent tryptophan administration produces the hyperactivity syndrome.
Predictive Control Strategy for DC/AC Converters Based on Direct Power Control

This paper proposes predictive direct power control (P-DPC), a new control approach where the well-known direct power control is combined with predictive selection of a voltage-vectors' sequence, obtaining both high transient dynamics and a constant-switching frequency. The developed P-DPC version is based on an optimal application of three voltage vectors in a symmetrical way, which is the so-called symmetrical 3 + 3 vectors' sequence. The simulation and experimental results of the P-DPC are compared to standard voltage-oriented control (VOC) strategies in a grid-connected three-phase voltage-source inverter under 400-V 15-kVA operation conditions. The P-DPC improves the transient response and keeps the steady-state harmonic spectrum at the same level as the VOC strategies. Due to its high transient capability and its constant-switching behavior, the P-DPC could become an interesting alternative to standard VOC techniques for grid-connected converters
The Elastin-binding Protein of Staphylococcus aureus(EbpS) Is Expressed at the Cell Surface as an Integral Membrane Protein and Not as a Cell Wall-associated Protein*

The elastin-binding proteins EbpS ofStaphylococcus aureus strains Cowan and 8325-4 were predicted from sequence analysis to comprise 486 residues. Specific antibodies were raised against an N-terminal domain (residues 1–267) and a C-terminal domain (residues 343–486) expressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Western blotting of lysates of wild-type 8325-4 and Newman and the corresponding ebpSmutants showed that EbpS migrated with an apparent molecular mass of 83 kDa. The protein was found exclusively in cytoplasmic membrane fractions purified from protoplasts or lysed cells, in contrast to the clumping factor ClfA, which was cell-wall-associated. EbpS was predicted to have three hydrophobic domains H1-(205–224), H2-(265–280), and H3-(315–342). A series of hybrid proteins was formed between EbpS at the N terminus and either alkaline phosphatase or β-galactosidase at the C terminus (EbpS-PhoA, EbpS-LacZ). PhoA and LacZ were fused to EbpS between hydrophobic domains H1–H2 and H2–H3, and distal to H3. Expression of enzymatic activity in E. coli showed that EbpS is an integral membrane protein with two membrane-spanning domains H1 and H3. N-terminal residues 1–205 and C-terminal residues 343–486 were predicted to be exposed on the outer face of the cytoplasmic membrane. The ligand-binding domain of EbpS is known from previous studies to be present in the N terminus between residues 14–34 and probing whole cells with anti-EbpS1–267 antibodies indicated that this region is exposed on the surface of intact cells. This was also confirmed by the observation that wild-type S. aureus Newman cells bound labeled tropoelastin whereas the ebpS mutant bound 72% less. In contrast, the C terminus, which carries a putative LysM peptidoglycan-binding domain, is not exposed on the surface of intact cells and presumably remains buried within the peptidoglycan. Finally, expression of EbpS was correlated with the ability of cells to grow to a higher density in liquid culture, suggesting that EbpS may have a role in regulating cell growth.
Improving Vulnerability Scanner Performance in Detecting AJAX Application Vulnerabilities

The development of internet and web application gave birth to a new technology called AJAX. Web application utilizes this technology and create a new trend in web application – AJAX application. As a web application, there are some security issues related to AJAX application, one of which is the existence of web application vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can be detected using a tool called vulnerability scanner. A vulnerability scanner has three processes – crawling, attack and analysis. However, AJAX’s characteristics makes it hard for vulnerability scanner to do its job properly. One of the reason is the ability to change the content of DOM without reloading the page, called dynamic DOM, in AJAX application. A dynamic DOM makes it impossible for conventional crawling method to crawl an AJAX application properly and thus, reducing the overall performance of vulnerability scanner. A method to crawl an AJAX application is called AJAX crawling. In this paper, we propose a method to improve the performance of vulnerability scanner by implementing AJAX crawling as its crawling process. This method has been tested by scanning a news aggregator web application called Gregarius version 0.5. 2. From the result, this method can be used to detect vulnerabilities in AJAX application.
Interacting Multiple Model UAV Navigation Algorithm Based on a Robust Cubature Kalman Filter

To improve the precision and robustness of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) integrated navigation systems, this paper presents an Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) navigation algorithm based on a Robust Cubature Kalman Filter (RCKF) with modified Zero Velocity Update (ZUPT) method assistance. This algorithm has a two-level fusion structure. At the bottom level, the Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) integrated navigation model and the Dynamic Zero Velocity Update/Inertial Navigation System (DZUPT/INS) integrated navigation model are established by modifying the Zero Velocity Update (ZUPT) method. Subsequently, the RCKF algorithm adopts a robust factor to weaken the influence of measurement outliers on the filter solution. At the top level, the estimation results of the GPS/INS integrated navigation model and the DZUPT/INS integrated navigation model are fused by the IMM algorithm. In addition to enhancing the robustness of filter estimation in the presence of measurement outliers, the proposed navigation algorithm also corrects navigation errors with ZUPT method assistance. Simulation and experimental analyses demonstrate the performance of the proposed navigation algorithm for UAVs.
PTF1 J071912.13+485834.0: AN OUTBURSTING AM CVn SYSTEM DISCOVERED BY A SYNOPTIC SURVEY

We present extensive photometric and spectroscopic observations of PTF1 J071912.13+485834.0, an outbursting AM CVn system discovered by the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF). AM CVn systems are stellar binaries with some of the smallest separations known and orbital periods ranging from 5 to 65 minutes. They are believed to be composed of a white dwarf accretor and a (semi-)degenerate He-rich donor and are considered to be the helium equivalents of cataclysmic variables (CVs). We have spectroscopically and photometrically identified an orbital period of 26.77 ± 0.02 minutes for PTF1 J071912.13+485834.0 and found a super-outburst recurrence time of greater than 65 days along with the presence of “normal” outbursts—rarely seen in AM CVn systems but well known in super-outbursting CVs. We present a long-term light curve over two super-cycles as well as high-cadence photometry of both outburst and quiescent stages, both of which show clear variability. We also compare both the outburst and quiescent spectra of PTF1 J071912.13+485834.0 to other known AM CVn systems, and use the quiescent phase-resolved spectroscopy to determine the origin of the photometric variability. Finally, we draw parallels between the different subclasses of SU UMa-type CVs and outbursting AM CVn systems. We conclude by predicting that the PTF may more than double the number of outbursting AM CVn systems known, which would greatly increase our understanding of AM CVn systems.
State-dependent physiological maintenance in a long-lived ectotherm, the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)

SUMMARY Energy allocation among somatic maintenance, reproduction and growth varies not only among species, but among individuals according to states such as age, sex and season. Little research has been conducted on the somatic (physiological) maintenance of long-lived organisms, particularly ectotherms such as reptiles. In this study, we examined sex differences and age- and season-related variation in immune function and DNA repair efficiency in a long-lived reptile, the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta). Immune components tended to be depressed during hibernation, in winter, compared with autumn or spring. Increased heterophil count during hibernation provided the only support for winter immunoenhancement. In juvenile and adult turtles, we found little evidence for senescence in physiological maintenance, consistent with predictions for long-lived organisms. Among immune components, swelling in response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and control injection increased with age, whereas basophil count decreased with age. Hatchling turtles had reduced basophil counts and natural antibodies, indicative of an immature immune system, but demonstrated higher DNA repair efficiency than older turtles. Reproductively mature turtles had reduced lymphocytes compared with juvenile turtles in the spring, presumably driven by a trade-off between maintenance and reproduction. Sex had little influence on physiological maintenance. These results suggest that components of physiological maintenance are modulated differentially according to individual state and highlight the need for more research on the multiple components of physiological maintenance in animals of variable states.
Development and evaluation of ocular drug delivery system

The eye presents unique opportunities and challenges when it comes to the delivery of pharmaceuticals. In the present study, ocular inserts of levofloxacin were prepared using chitosan and gelatin by solvent casting technique with an aim to improve therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of conjunctivitis. Prepared ocular inserts were then evaluated for film thickness, weight variation, content uniformity, percentage moisture loss and absorption. In vitro drug release studies were carried out using flow through apparatus that simulated the eye conditions. Optimized formulations were subjected to in vivo and stability studies to assess the effectiveness of the formulations. Finally in vitro in vivo correlation was established. Plasticizer like PEG was found to influence their effect on drug release. Prepared ocular inserts exhibited zero order kinetics which was confirmed by strong and positive correlation. The in vitro and in vivo drug release studies revealed that the formulations provide a best alternative to prolong the drug release at the end of 24 h and remained stable with intact at ambient conditions.
Depression among the Rural Elderly A Study of Prevalence and Correlates

A large sample (N = 3159) of noninstitutionalized older adults (aged 65 to 105 years) residing in two rural Iowa counties participated in an assessment of a wide range of healthrelated factors, including depression. Prevalences of significant depressive symptomatology (9.0%; based on a modified version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]) and clinical depression (2.9%; based on self-report of Research Diagnostic Criteria [RDC]-like criteria) were low. The relationships between several demographic measures and the depression indices were examined. While expected sex differences were obtained for the CES-D, they were not found for the depression RDC. Subjects who lived alone and subjects with lower incomes were more at risk for depression. There was also evidence that being married and having a higher educational level were associated with lower risk for depression as measured by the CES-D (but not the RDC). The role of social support in rural communities was discussed as a factor contributing to the low rate of depression found in this study. The importance of sex, social support, and economic resources in accounting for depression among the elderly was also discussed.
DNA Inversion on Conjugative Plasmid pVT745

ABSTRACT Plasmid pVT745 from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strain VT745 can be transferred to other A. actinomycetemcomitans strains at a frequency of 10−6. Screening of transconjugants revealed that the DNA of pDMG21A, a pVT745 derivative containing a kanamycin resistance gene, displayed a structural rearrangement after transfer. A 9-kb segment on the plasmid had switched orientation. The inversion was independent of RecA and required the activity of the pVT745-encoded site-specific recombinase. This recombinase, termed Inv, was highly homologous to invertases of the Din family. Two recombination sites of 22 bp, which are arranged in opposite orientation and which function as DNA crossover sequences, were identified on pVT745. One of the sites was located adjacent to the 5′ end of the invertase gene, inv. Inversion of the 9-kb segment on pVT745 derivatives has been observed in all A. actinomycetemcomitans strains tested except for the original host, VT745. This would suggest that a host factor that is either inactive or absent in VT745 is required for efficient recombination. Inactivation of the invertase in the donor strain resulted in a 1,000-fold increase in the number of transconjugants upon plasmid transfer. It is proposed that an activated invertase causes the immediate loss of the plasmid in most recipient cells after mating. No biological role has been associated with the invertase as of yet.