Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of chromosome aberrations in unirradiated chromatin after partial irradiation of a cell nucleus

Purpose : It is generally accepted that chromosome exchanges in irradiated cells are formed through interactions between separate DNA double-strand breaks (DSB). Here we tested whether non-irradiated DNA participates in the formation of chromosome aberrations when complex DNA DSB are induced elsewhere in the nucleus. Materials and methods : Synchronized Chinese hamster cells containing an X chromosome with a late replicating q arm (X q domain) were labelled with 125 I-iododeoxyuridine (125 IdUrd) in a period of S-phase when the vast majority of the X q domain was not replicating. DNA damage from 125 I decay was accumulated at the G1/S border while the cells were stored in liquid nitrogen. Decay of 125 I induced DSB in the immediate vicinity of the 125 I atom. Chromosome aberrations involving what is essentially the 125 I-free X domain were scored at the first mitosis after cell thawing. As a positive control, cells were treated with 125 IdUrd at a later period in S-phase when the X q domain replicates, yielding a labelled X q domain. Results : The 125 I-free X q domain exhibited chromosome aberrations (exchanges and fragments). The frequency of these aberrations was linearly dependent on the number of 125 I decays elsewhere in the cell nucleus. The efficiency of formation of chromosome aberrations by the 125 I-free X q domain was approximately half of that observed in the 125 I-labelled X q domain. Conclusions : The involvement of the 125 I-free X q domain in chromosome aberrations suggests that DNA not damaged by the decay of incorporated 125 I can interact with damaged DNA, indicating the existence of an alternative pathway for the formation of chromosome aberrations.
Declining trends in alcohol consumption among Swedish youth-does the theory of collectivity of drinking cultures apply?

AIMS To analyse trends in alcohol consumption among young people in Sweden between 2004 and 2012, to test whether the theory of collectivity of drinking cultures is valid for a population of young people and to investigate the impact of an increasing proportion of abstainers on the overall per capita trends. METHODS Data were drawn from an annual survey of a nationally representative sample of students in year 11 (17-18 years old). The data covered 9 years and the total sample comprised 36,141 students. Changes in the overall per capita consumption were tested using linear regression on log-transformed data, and changes in abstention rates were tested using logistic regression. The analyses were then continued by calculating average consumption in deciles. RESULTS Alcohol consumption among year 11 students declined significantly among both boys and girls between 2004 and 2012. These changes were reflected at all levels of consumption, and the same results were found when abstainers were excluded from the analyses. The increasing proportion of abstainers had a minimal effect on the overall decline in consumption; rather, this was driven by a decline in consumption among the heaviest drinkers. CONCLUSION The theory of collectivity of drinking cultures seems valid for understanding changes in alcohol consumption among Swedish year 11 students. No support was found for a polarization of alcohol consumption in this nationally representative sample.
Body gesture classification based on Bag-of-features in frequency domain of motion

In this paper, we propose a method for semantic motion retrieval in large data sets of human motions to classify body gestures automatically. This method extracts spatio-temporal features from the motions by expressing them in frequency domain. And these features are transformed into the Bag-of-words representation to accelerate the calculation and to emphasize the semantic aspect. The method is inspired by techniques of natural language processing or image processing. We conducted experiments for evaluating the performance of the motion classification using data sets captured by a motion capture system. Through the experiments, we confirmed that our method improves the performance of the motion classification and reduces the computational time drastically.
A model of kinesthetically and visually controlled arm movement

This paper describes a preliminary simulation of kinesthetic control systems that operate a humanoid arm having three degrees of freedom. The design is in part a literal interpretation of the stretch and tendon reflexes considered as control systems. A second level of control converts independent control of three joint angles into a trio of systems controlling the tip of the arm in pitch, yaw and distance coordinates centered on the shoulder. The basic properties of muscles are included, and the arm movements are calculated using equations describing the physical dynamics of the arm. A “visual servo” level of control is included in preliminary form. The model exhibits realistic behavior, producing stable and fast control without computing either inverse kinematics or inverse dynamics.
Sensor-based reactive navigation in unknown convex sphere worlds

We construct a sensor-based feedback law that provably solves the real-time collision-free robot navigation problem in a compact convex Euclidean subset cluttered with unknown but sufficiently separated and strongly convex obstacles. Our algorithm introduces a novel use of separating hyperplanes for identifying the robot’s local obstacle-free convex neighborhood, affording a reactive (online-computed) continuous and piecewise smooth closed-loop vector field whose smooth flow brings almost all configurations in the robot’s free space to a designated goal location, with the guarantee of no collisions along the way. Specialized attention to planar navigable environments yields a necessary and sufficient condition on convex obstacles for almost-global navigation towards any goal location in the environment. We further extend these provable properties of the planar setting to practically motivated limited range, isotropic and anisotropic sensing models, and the non-holonomically constrained kinematics of the standard differential-drive vehicle. We conclude with numerical and experimental evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed sensory feedback motion planner.
Effects of Added Yeast on Protein Transmission and Flux in Cross‐Flow Membrane Microfiltration

Microfiltration membranes may be used to separate valuable proteins from suspensions containing cells or cell debris. Although a clean microfiltration membrane allows for complete protein transmission and high flux, both of these quantities decline in time due to membrane fouling. Using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein, flux and protein transmission during cross‐flow microfiltration were studied with and without added yeast cells. Cross‐flow microfiltration of BSA‐only solutions results in a BSA fouling layer with low permeability forming on the membrane surface. Due to this layer, the long‐term BSA transmission is typically only 25–40%. In contrast, during microfiltration of yeast−BSA mixtures, the yeast forms a cake layer on the membrane surface. The yeast cake acts as a dynamic or secondary membrane, allowing BSA monomers to pass through but preventing protein aggregates from fouling the membrane. The result is slower flux decline and higher long‐term BSA transmission of typically 60–90%. For filtration of yeast−BSA mixtures at low yeast concentrations (<1 g/L), 50–100% higher BSA recovery is obtained than for BSA‐only solutions with the same BSA concentration. At high yeast concentrations (>5 g/L), the protein transmission remains high, but the recovery may be lower due to reduced flux.
Cerebellar external granule cells are attached to the basal lamina from the onset of migration up to the end of their proliferative activity

The development of cerebellar external granule cells in rats was studied from the time of demarcation of the cerebellar anlage on embryonal day 12 up to the time of their disappearance on postnatal day 20. Two types of cells were found. The first was orientated tangentially to the cerebellar surface and was characterized by a persistent contact to the basal lamina via an external process, with a lamellopodial tip and a cytoskeleton characteristic for migratory cells, and a retracting internal process featuring a single cilium. This cell type was the first to appear on embryonal day 14 in the caudolateral angle of the cerebellar anlage and, later, spread, over the whole cerebellar surface. It disappeared after the external granular layer was completely expanded over the cerebellum. The second cell type appeared for the first time on embryonal day 16 in the caudal part of the cerebellar anlage and disappeared on postnatal day 20. It was orientated radially and also had contact with the basal lamina either with its cell body or with one or two short, radial processes, whose morphology differed from that of the external process of tangential cells by the absence of a lamellopodium and a prominent cytoskeleton. After postnatal day 17 contacts of external granule cells with the basal lamina decreased rapidly in length and number and were absent on postnatal day 20.
A Test for Determining Endurance Capacity in Fencers

Abstract Until now endurance in fencers has been tested by non-specific ergometer tests even though the movement patterns during fencing are considerably different. The aim of the study was to evaluate a newly developed fencing-specific endurance test (FET). 2 studies were carried out: 28 fencers were tested by FET with fencing-specific footwork and incremental tests on cycle (CE) and treadmill ergometer (TM) in a random order. Afterwards fencing bouts (BOU) were conducted to determine specific physical load. Blood lactate and heart rates were measured. In a second study another group of 18 international and 20 national level fencers conducted FET to explore differences between groups. Comparison of CE, TM, FET and BOU revealed a significant correlation between FET and BOU (r=0.80, p<0.01), heart rates during CE and TM were significantly lower than in bouts (p<0.01). Performance at CE and TM hardly correlated with FET (r=0.30, p<0.05; r=0.31, p<0.05). Elite-fencers showed significantly better performance than non-elite fencers in FET (p<0.01). FET was suitable for determining specific endurance in fencers, allows a better assessment of physical demands during bouts than conventional ergometry and can be used to distinguish between fencers of different levels.
Optimisation de dispositifs médicaux thérapeutiques implantables pour l'ingénierie tissulaire osseuse et cartilagineuse

Notre equipe a optimise la formulation de dispositifs medicaux implantables pour l’ingenierie tissulaire osseuse et cartilagineuse. A ces fins, nous nous sommes bases sur des implants nanostructures d’origine naturelle ou synthetique concus au sein du laboratoire par la methode d’electrospinning, pour imiter la matrice extracellulaire du compartiment osseux, et un hydrogel compose d’alginate et d’acide hyaluronique imitant la composition du compartiment cartilagineux. Dans une premiere partie de mon travail, pour la regeneration osseuse, nous avons optimise la formulation d’un implant nanostructure a base de chitosane pour une acceleration de cette regeneration. Ceci a ete possible en rendant actif ce dispositif medical implantable par incorporation de nanoparticules de silice, conferant a la construction nanocomposite des proprietes mecaniques accrues, et une excellente biocompatibilite avec le tissu hote. Une autre etude pour la meme visee a permis d’elaborer une nouvelle strategie d’ensemencement de dispositif implantable synthetique et nanostructure par des microtissus cellulaires, remplacant un ensemencement de cellules isolees et permettant des performances de mineralisation accrues a l’interieur de l’implant. Dans un deuxieme temps, pour la regeneration de l’unite osteoarticulaire, nous avons propose deux implants bi-compartimentes et hybrides comportant des microtissus de cellules souches mesenchymateuses. Ces implants sont composes d’un hydrogel contenant les cellules souches permettant la regeneration du cartilage, et d’une membrane collagenique naturelle (Bio-Gide®) ou synthetique (membrane de polycaprolactone), dotee de nanoreservoirs (technologie brevetee par le laboratoire) de facteur de croissance osteogenique (BMP-7) pour une regeneration du socle osseux (os sous-chondral) de l’unite os-cartilage. La troisieme partie de mon travail a concerne la vascularisation des implants osseux et particulierement l’acceleration du recrutement vasculaire. Dans ce cadre plus vasculaire, nous avons propose une strategie qui vise a doter un implant synthetique nanostructure de facteur de croissance angiogenique (VEGF), puis a lui appliquer un ensemencement sequentiel de cellules mesenchymateuses adultes « osteoblastes humains» et de cellules endotheliales humaines (HUVECs). Cette strategie a permis un recrutement et une hierarchisation accrue des cellules endotheliales dans l’implant. En conclusion, l’optimisation des implants developpes au laboratoire permettra sans nul doute de proposer dans un futur proche de nouveaux dispositifs medicaux implantables (DMI) therapeutique combines de type DMI-MTI (Medicaments de Therapie Innovante) pour l’ingenierie tissulaire osseuse et cartilagineuse en particulier en medecine regenerative osteo-articulaire.
Privacy and Information Markets: An Experimental Study

In this paper we create an experimental ‘information market’ where consumers can trade in potentially useful personal information. We study how a market where trade in information takes place compares experimentally with a market where there is no trade in information. We test the impact of trading in information and the impact of stricter privacy laws on consumers and sellers, and also the impact from a social perspective. Total surplus was found to be significantly higher in a higher privacy regime than in a lower privacy regime. Although our theoretical predictions showed that sellers would be better off in a higher privacy regime, the results from the experiment did not support it significantly. Consumers were found to be better off in the higher privacy regime although, the theoretical results made no such predictions. There was partial support for the efficiency being higher in a higher privacy regime.
Extended field radiation therapy in Hodgkin's disease. Analysis of failures

A retrospective analysis of 116 primary cases of stage I, II and III‐A Hodgkin's disease demonstrated 27 failures, fourteen confirmed by biopsy. Twenty of the 27 (74%) were in lymph node areas only and seven had extranodal extensions. The most frequent site of failure was the hilar nodes and contiguous lung. The majority of failures (78%) occurred within 30 months of treatment and the cause of failure determined in 23 (85%), sixteen of which were due to technical errors of irradiation. Analysis of the dosimetry in the mediastinal, hilar nodes and contiguous lung failures revealed three factors which may have contributed to a low dose. These factors are: 1) the equivalent square, 2) off‐axis beam diminution, and 3) the anteroposterior dose profile. Combined radiation therapy and chemotherapy was more effective than either modality alone in the treatment of these failures. Cancer 40:2896‐2904, 1977.
Valorization of Microalgae Biomass by Its Use for the Removal of Paracetamol from Contaminated Water

Microalgae are aquatic photosynthetic prokaryotic or eukaryotic microorganisms which cultivation for the fixation of CO2 and the production of biofuels has received large attention. However, the sustainable development of an algal biorefinery is still a challenge. In this context, the valorization of microalgae biomass for a wastewater adsorptive treatment may be an option to explore. Recently, the presence of emerging contaminants (ECs) in natural waters and the associated risks have led to a great concern, especially in the case of pharmaceuticals. In the present work, the elimination of paracetamol from water by biosorption onto microalgae, namely Synechocystis sp. , has been studied. Kinetic and equilibrium parameters have been determined and compared with those obtained when using a commercial activated carbon under the same experimental conditions. Although the adsorption kinetics are very similar onto both materials, at the equilibrium, the Langmuir maximum capacity of the activated carbon (278 mg g−1) is five times higher than that of Synechocystis sp. (53 mg g−1). In any case, it must be considered that the utilization of microalgae may be considered an environmentally friendly process with important associated savings.
Faecal Campylobacter shedding among dogs in animal shelters across Texas

Epidemiologic studies on faecal Campylobacter shedding among dogs in the United States have been limited, despite evidence that the incidence of human campylobacteriosis has increased over the last decade. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of faecal Campylobacter shedding among shelter dogs in Texas, to estimate the specific prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli shedding, and to identify risk factors for Campylobacter‐positive status. Using a cross‐sectional study design, we collected faecal samples from dogs in six animal shelters across Texas between May and December, 2014. Quantitative PCR protocols were used to detect Campylobacter in samples and to specifically identify C. jejuni and C. coli. The prevalence of faecal Campylobacter shedding among sampled dogs was 75.7% (140/185). Prevalence varied significantly by shelter (p = .03), ranging from 57% to 93%. There was a marginal association (p = .06) between abnormal faecal consistency and positive Campylobacter status, after controlling for shelter as a random effect. However, approximately 70% of Campylobacter‐positive dogs had grossly normal faeces. Campylobacter prevalence did not vary significantly by age group or sex. The prevalence of C. jejuni‐positive samples was 5.4% (10/185), but C. coli was not detected in any samples. Dogs are a potential source of zoonotic Campylobacter transmission.
Combining features for adaptive terrain classification based on ART neural network

Terrain classification focuses on determining a safe region for robot to traverse while labeling obstacles. This paper study terrain classification based on scene imageries of the natural environment and attempts to combine color, texture and geometry moment features to train an ARTMAP neural network. After learning the relationship between the combined features and the traversability of terrains, the neural network can be used to assess the front terrain. In this paper, we used the combined features to carve up the environment and enable the classification more lighting independent, season adaptable and more efficient in the whole. Thanks to the adaptability of the ARTMAP neural network classifier and the strategy of features combination, the results show that the presented method can classify the terrain more accurately across different scenarios with fairly high classification efficiency.
Global Output Regulation for the Rotational Dynamics of a Rigid Body / Globale Ausgangsregelung für die Drehbewegung eines Starrkörpersystems

Summary This paper considers a class of nonlinear output regulation problems for the rotational rigid body equations. The equations of motion for the rigid body are written in the natural SO(3) representation. The presented design consists of an observer and a certainty equivalence implementation of an independently designed state feedback law. The proposed solution is global and achieves almost global convergence in the closed loop Zusammenfassung Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit einer Klasse von nichtlinearen Ausgangsregelungsproblemen für die Drehbewegung von Starrkörpern. Die Bewegungsgleichungen der Starrkörper werden in der SO(3) Darstellung betrachtet. Der Regler besteht aus einem Beobachter und einer davon unabhängig entworfenen Zustandsrückführung, in welcher die Beobachterzustände verwendet werden. Der Entwurf resultiert in einem geschlossenen Kreis mit garantierter Konvergenz für fast alle Anfangsbedingungen
Effect of nitrogen management through LCC and SPAD meter on growth and yield in direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A field experiment was conducted on medium black soil during kharif 2016 & 2017 at Agricultural Research Station, Gangavathi to study the effect of nitrogen management through LCC and SPAD meter on growth and yield in direct seeded rice. The results revealed that application of N through farmers’ method recorded higher plant height, number of tillers and plant dry weight but among real time methods, the LCC 5, LCC 4, recorded higher plant height, number of tillers and plant dry weight and were on par to recommended method during both the seasons. On the other hand, the treatment with No application of N but P and K applied and absolute control recorded lower plant height, number of tillers and dry weight. The pooled data on Grain yield (kg/ha) was significantly superior during both the years (4996 kg/ha) in application of N through farmers’ method (T7) which was superior over other treatments except LCC 5 (4699 kg/ha ), LCC 4 (4649 kg/ha), SPAD 40 (4490 kg/ha ) and SSNM method (4516 kg/ha) which were on par with each other by indicating saving of N to the tune of (31.8, 45.4, 36.3 and 22.7%, respectively) over N through farmers’ method. Higher agronomic efficiency was noticed in real time methods than application of N through farmers’ method. Among both the LCC 5 and LCC 4 being superior in growth and yield it is concluded that LCC 4 to be optimum for direct seeded rice.
The Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire: Predictive validity of parent and teacher ratings for help-seeking behaviour over one year

Latent growth modelling was applied to investigate the predictive validity of the subscale and total difficulties scores from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Prospective data were collected on a community sample ofn= 659 children (aged 7 to 11 years) over a one-year period. Outcomes at one year after baseline were defined in terms of parental help-seeking behaviour and worry. Teacher-reported SDQ summary scores were more predictive of help-seeking behaviour from both the general practitioner and the school than parent-reported SDQ scores. Changes (increases) in SDQ scores proved more useful in predicting help-seeking than initial scores. Gender, age and socioeconomic status were not related to help-seeking behaviour, but the parents of children with higher IQ scores were more likely to seek help. The usefulness of the SDQ to predict help-seeking behaviour for emotional-behaviour difficulties in community settings and its implications for service-use issues in the UK context are discussed.
An evaluation of diagnostic methods for brucellosis--the value of bone marrow culture.

Fifty patients, eventually diagnosed as having brucellosis, were studied prospectively for comparison of a simple culture of bone marrow aspirate from the iliac crest (0.5-1.0 ml) with two cultures of blood (5-10 ml) taken 30-60 min apart and with a tube-agglutination test. Cultures of bone marrow and blood were positive in 92% and 70% of the patients, respectively (P less than .001). Bacteria multiplied significantly faster in bone marrow cultures (4.32 vs. 6.65 days; P less than .001). All isolates were identified as Brucella melitensis biotype 1. Serological diagnosis was established in 86% of the patients. The efficacy of cultures of blood decreased significantly with chronic and subacute forms of infection, whereas that of bone marrow culture decreased only in chronic forms. Prior use of antibiotics reduced the positivity of cultures of blood but did not affect bone marrow culture. Bone marrow culture is recommended for patients with fever of unknown origin, negative serology, and unexplained articular or hematologic involvement, and patients in whom brucellosis is suspected.