Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anticipated affective consequences of physical activity adoption and maintenance.

OBJECTIVE The expected emotional consequences of future actions are thought to play an important role in health behavior change. This research examined whether anticipated affective consequences of success and failure vary across stages of physical activity change and differentially predict physical activity adoption as compared to maintenance. DESIGN Using a prospective design over a 3-month period, a community sample of 329 healthy, middle-aged adults were assessed at 2 time points. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Anticipated positive and negative emotions, stage of behavior change (precontemplation [PC], contemplation [C], preparation [P], action [A], maintenance [M]), and level of physical activity. RESULTS At baseline, anticipated positive emotions were greater in C versus PC, whereas anticipated negative emotions were greater in M versus A and in M versus P. Higher anticipated positive but not negative emotions predicted physical activity adoption and maintenance after 3 months. CONCLUSION Although the expected affective consequences of future success and failure differentiated among individuals in the early and later stages of physical activity change, respectively; only the anticipated affective consequences of success predicted future behavior.
High Frequency Pulse Density Modulation for cost-effective and efficient multiple induction-heater architectures

Domestic induction heating is a well-consolidated technology that is evolving in order to obtain new products combining three key aspects: performance, efficiency, and cost. New development tendencies suggest the use of multi-inductor architectures to improve the user performance. These systems require the development of new power converters adapted to the new architectures to achieve an efficient and cost-effective solution. The series resonant multi-inverter topology has been proposed as a cost-effective solution for the implementation of multiple output systems. However, the efficiency obtained with classical square wave control strategy is reduced due to the additional series-connected semiconductor devices. In order to overcome this limitation, the High-Frequency Pulse Density Modulation (HF-PDM) is presented. A theoretical analysis of HF-PDM is presented and the output power range and efficiency are obtained by simulation. Finally, these results are verified by means of a multi-inductor lab prototype.
Interaction of alpha-agglutinin with Saccharomyces cerevisiae a cells

Binding of Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-agglutinin to target a cells was assayed by agglutination inhibition and 125I-alpha-agglutinin binding. The assays showed characteristics of equilibrium binding, namely saturability, competability, and the establishment of a kinetic endpoint in the presence of free alpha-agglutinin and free receptor. The binding was heterogeneous, displaying strong binding (10(9) liters/mol) and a weaker interaction. There were about 2 X 10(4) strong binding sites per a cell. Denaturing gels displayed identical labeled species binding to the a cells in the weak and strong interactions. Furthermore, weakly bound material could subsequently bind tightly to fresh a cells, implying that the same species of alpha-agglutinin was bound in the two states.
Feasibility of Raspberry Pi 2 based Micro Data Centers in Big Data Applications

Many new data centers have been built in recent years in order to keep up with the rising demand for server capacity. These data centers consume a lot of energy, need a lot of cooling equipment and occupy big stretches of land. Energy efficiency of data centers is becoming an increasingly hot topic. Researchers and companies continuously look for ways to bring down energy consumption. This paper takes a look at the possibilities and benefits of using cheap, low-power and widely supported hardware in a micro data center with big data as its main focus. For this purpose, the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B was used as a basis. It was analyzed for performance, scalability, energy consumption and manageability in a data center environment. The result was a fully functional distributed Hadoop setup with a very low power consumption and moderate performance. A highly concurrent, low power setup in a small 1U form factor was proposed as an alternative to traditional rack servers.
Development of an S-band 50-kW-Average-Power Klystron

This paper reports the design considerations, simulation results, and test results of an S-band 70-MHz-instantaneous-bandwidth 50-kW-average-power klystron, which was developed by the Institute of Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, from January 2004 to August 2007. The typical result is a 50-kW average output power with an 89-mus RF pulsewidth and a 300-Hz repetition rate during 8 h of continuous reliability testing. A cracked output window is also discussed.
Forecast of total nitrogen in wastewater treatment plants by means techniques of soft computing

Prediction in Wastewater Treatment Plants is an important purpose for decision-making. The complexity of the biological processes happening and, on the other hand, the uncertainty and incompleteness of the real data lead us to treat this problem modelling the data and via techniques of soft computing. Neural Networks has been the main procedure implemented. We have complemented it by genetic algorithms and fuzzy systems in order to select a suitable subset of variables. Statically results show that combining these methodologies we attaint reliable predictions of the Total Nitrogen which is one of the main variables for evaluating the water quality at the efluent of a Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Lipid signaling and the modulation of surface charge during phagocytosis

Summary: Phagocytosis is an important component of innate and adaptive immunity. The formation of phagosomes and the subsequent maturation that capacitates them for pathogen elimination and antigen presentation are complex processes that involve signal transduction, cytoskeletal reorganization, and membrane remodeling. Lipids are increasingly appreciated to play a crucial role in these events. Sphingolipids, cholesterol, and glycerophospholipids, notably the phosphoinositides, are required for the segregation of signaling microdomains and for the generation of second messengers. They are also instrumental in the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and in directing membrane traffic. They accomplish these feats by congregating into liquid‐ordered domains, by generating active metabolites that activate receptors, and by recruiting and anchoring specific protein ligands to the membrane, often altering their conformation and catalytic activity. A less appreciated role of acidic phospholipids is their contribution to the negative surface charge of the inner leaflet of the plasmalemma. The unique negativity of the inner aspect of the plasma membrane serves to attract and anchor key signaling and effector molecules that are required to initiate phagosome formation. Conversely, the loss of charge that accompanies phospholipid metabolism as phagosomes seal facilitates the dissociation of proteins and the termination of signaling and cytoskeleton assembly. In this manner, lipids provide a binary electrostatic switch to control phagocytosis.
Manipulating nutrient and water availability in a maritime pine plantation: effects on growth, production, and biomass allocation at canopy closure

Abstract• We present here the results of a water and nutrient manipulation experiment in a five-year-old plantation of maritime pine in south-western France. • Water and nutrient levels were manipulated in a factorial design with two levels of irrigation (control receiving only rainfall (C) and irrigated (I)) and three levels of fertilisation (control with no added nutrients (C), P-only (P) and annual addition of a complete nutrient mix (F)) in order to quantify growth limitations of plantation forest in this particular area. • The treatments applied during five years increased aboveground biomass annual increment by 4% (I) to 58% (IF) with respect to the control (C). The fertilised plots had a slightly non-significant lower root-to-shoot ratio. The effect of irrigation was maximal in 2002, resulting in 6%, 7% and 12% higher growth rate on the F, C and P plots, respectively. A windstorm disturbed the experiment in 1999 and has affected preferentially the fertilised plots, with IF plots displaying 60% damage. • The higher growth rate of fertilised and irrigated plots was attributed to both an increase (estimated at 5 to 15%) in the amount of light absorbed by the canopy, and an increase (estimated at 26% for IF plots) in the amount of above-ground biomass produced annually per unit leaf area. Résumé• Dans l’objectif de quantifier l’impact des facteurs limitant de la croissance du pin maritime dans le sud-ouest de la France, les apports d’eau et d’éléments minéraux sont manipulés selon un schéma expérimental factoriel à deux niveaux d’alimentation en eau (témoin recevant uniquement les pluies et irrigué) et à trois niveaux d’alimentation minérale (témoin, apport annuel de phosphore, apport annuel d’un mélange minéral complet). • Les traitements appliqués pendant cinq ans ont entrainé une augmentation de l’accroissement annuel en biomasse aérienne allant de +4 % (I) à + 58 % (IF). Les arbres fertilisés ont un rapport biomasse aérienne sur racinaire légèrement mais non significativement supérieur à celui des arbres témoins. L’effet de l’irrigation a été maximal en 2002, avec des accroissements en biomasse aérienne plus élevés de 6 %, 7 %, 12 % pour les arbres fertilisés, témoins et fertilisés en P. Une tempête a endommagé le dispositif en 1999, affectant préférentiellement les arbres fertilisés avec 60 % des arbres touchés, contre 13 % pour les témoins. • La plus forte croissance observée pour les placeaux fertilisés et irrigués a été attribuée à une augmentation d’une part de +5 à +15 % de la quantité de rayonnement absorbé par la canopée, et d’autre part de +26 % de la quantité de biomasse aérienne produite annuellement par unité d’indice foliaire.
EXPECTANCY OF IMPAIRED NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TEST SCORES IN A NON-CLINICAL SAMPLE

Two methods were addressed to evaluate the incidence of false positive impairment on tests in neuropsychological evaluation. One method used a mathematical model based on the binomial theory () to offer predictions based on probability. The model sets boundaries to determine when score variations would occur by chance and is therefore useful for identifying when cases exceed established boundaries. In addition, the present study examined test performance in a non-clinical sample of 94 college students via the Halstead Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery. Results found that 15% of the sample had impairments suggested by the Halstead Impairment Index, using criteria established by . In addition, one-half of the sample obtained impaired scores on one or two tests. These results are consistent with what the binomial model predicted. The model would therefore serve as a useful resource for clinicians when considering the probability of impaired test performance.
Characterization of a temperature-sensitive defect of enterovirus type 70

The mechanism of the failure of enterovirus type 70 to replicate at a nonpermissive temperature (39 degrees C) was investigated, and the following results were obtained. (i) Viral RNA synthesis was not observed at 39 degrees C in LLC-MK2 cells, in accordance with our previous findings with primary monkey kidney cells (Miyamura et al., Intervirology 9:206-213, 1978). (ii) Shutoff of host cell macromolecular synthesis by virus infection was as efficient at 39 degrees C as at a permissive temperature (33 degrees C). This inhibitory effect similarly occurred even in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride. (iii) Viral protein synthesis proceeded in vivo at the nonpermissive temperature, and the rate of the protein synthesis was higher than that at the permissive temperature under the conditions in which sufficient viral mRNA had been accumulated. This was also confirmed by analyzing the intracellular proteins synthesized at the nonpermissive temperature by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which identified them as virus-specific proteins. (iv) When infected cells were incubated at 39 degrees C and then transferred to 33 degrees C, viral RNA synthesis took place even in the presence of cycloheximide. (v) Furthermore, in experiments performed with an in vitro cell-free assay system, viral polymerase activity was found in the membrane-bound preparation extracted from infected cells which had been incubated at 39 degrees C in the presence or absence of guanidine hydrochloride. These results indicate that early translation of mRNA proceeds normally at the nonpermissive temperature and that the temperature-sensitive defect resides in the transcriptional stage.
Genetic algorithms-based gain optimization of a simple learning control for single-phase shunt active filters

The repetitive or learning based control has proven to achieve high steady-state performances for control systems. The iterative learning algorithm aims to accomplish zero tracking error without full knowledge of the system model. However, its dynamic behaviors were not satisfied in some conditions particularly under non-periodic disturbances since the control uses the information from the previous iteration to calculate the system input. This paper proposes the investigation of the use of genetic algorithm to optimize the learning gain of a simple proportional-type (P-type) learning control applied to current control for shunt active filters. The merit of the proposed control is its simplicity, potentially suitable for commercial active filters. All design concepts are verified and the results obtained in the simulation confirm the improvement in the dynamic responses during the transient condition while the harmonic control accuracy in steady-state can remain excellent with the proposed control system.
Proximity‐Dependent Biotinylation for Identification of Interacting Proteins

Complex interaction networks orchestrate key cellular processes including but not limited to transcription, translation, metabolism, and cell signaling. Delineating these interactions will aid in deciphering the regulation and function of these pathways and potential for manipulation. Proximity‐dependent biotin identification (BioID) is quickly gaining popularity as a powerful tool for identifying novel protein‐protein and proximity‐based interactions in live cells. This technique relies on a promiscuous biotin ligase, which is fused to a protein of interest and, upon expression in the desired cell, will biotinylate proximal endogenous proteins. In vivo protein‐protein interactions can be very transient and occur momentarily to facilitate signaling or a metabolic function. BioID is useful in identifying these weak and/or transient interactions that are not detected by traditional methods such as yeast two‐hybrid or affinity purification. Here, we outline a BioID protocol that can be used as a workflow to guide a new application. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Design Based Research Framework for Implementing a Transnational Mobile and Blended Learning Solution

The article proposes a modified Design-Based Research DBR framework which accommodates the various socio-cultural factors that emerged in the longitudinal PA-HELP research study at Central University College CUC in Ghana, Africa. A transnational team of stakeholders from Ghana, Canada, and the USA collaborated on the development, implementation, and subsequent modification of the DBR framework. The recommended framework is a result of lessons learned during this project in Ghana and as such, it is shaped by the need to be responsive to the local cultural and contextual contingencies. The article offers practical recommendations on the implementation of a mobile learning project in a cross-cultural setting, and provides a discussion of the salient cultural factors and the corresponding culturally-sensitive adaptations needed in the design research process. The Cross-Culture Design-Based Research CC-DBR framework is proposed to inform future transcultural m-learning studies.
Bit-serial Systolic Array Implementation Of Euclid's Algorithm For Inversion And Division In GF(2/supm)

This paper presents two serial-in serial-out systolic arrays for inversion or division in GF(2") with the standard basis representation. They can produce results at a rate of one per m cycles after an initial delay of 5m 4 cycles. The proposed arrays involve unidirectional data flow and are highly regular and modular. Thus, they are well suited to VLSI implemenitation with fault-tolerant design. As compared to existing related systolic designs with the same time complexity and I/O format, our proposed arrays gain a significant improvement in hardware area.
The AMPTE IRM Spacecraft

The AMPTE Ion Release Module (IRM) together with the other two AMPTE spacecraft, UKS and CCE, were successfully launched with a Delta 3924 vehicle on August 16, 1984 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The IRM satellite was designed, built, and tested by the Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik. It carries 16 barium and lithium release containers and a plasna diagnostic instrument set. This paper discusses the requirements imposed on the spacecraft design by the mission and the scientific instruments and gives a description of the major spacecraft systems. Finally, a short summary of the first events in the mission is presented.
Perturbations in laboratory values after coronary artery bypass graft surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe the sequential changes in commonly obtained laboratory values after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS The authors examined laboratory data from 375 patients who underwent uncomplicated CABG with CPB in a multicenter clinical trial of a medication for postoperative pain. Data were obtained preoperatively, at the time of postoperative extubation, and at 4 subsequent intervals ending 14 days after extubation. Data obtained before study drug administration are reported for all patients; thereafter, only data from placebo patients without perioperative complications (n=123) are reported. RESULTS Mean postoperative coagulation values remained within their reference ranges at the time of extubation. However, platelet counts increased to a peak value well above the reference range by the end of the study. Postoperative white blood cell counts rose above the reference range, mainly because of increased neutrophils. Serum chemistries were also altered; most patients showed a persistent postoperative hyperglycemia. Creatine kinase levels rose to nearly 4 times the upper limit of the reference range in the early postoperative period. Lactate dehydrogenase, serum aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels also increased above the reference range. Total protein and albumin values were below the reference range throughout the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS Laboratory values for hematology, blood coagulation, and serum chemistry change substantially after uncomplicated CABG with CPB. Recognition of these changes will facilitate the conduct of clinical research and may prevent inappropriate treatment based on abnormal laboratory findings that have no clinical significance.
The influence of excipients on physical and pharmaceutical properties of oral lyophilisates containing a pregabalin-acetaminophen combination

ABSTRACT Objectives: The purpose of the study was to investigate and characterize the oral lyophilisates containing the pregabalin-acetaminophen drug combination and as xcipients mannitol with microcrystalline cellulose or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, in order to conclude upon drug-excipient interactions and their stability implications, impact of excipients on drug release and on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the pharmaceutical formulations. Methods: The oral tablets were made by using a Christ freeze-dryer alpha 2–4-LSC lyophilizer, and evaluated for stability, drug-excipient compatibility and homogeneity of the prepared pharmaceutical formulations. The formulations were evaluated for in vivo absorption in rabbits by histopathological exams. Results: FTIR and thermogravimetric analyses, DLS technique, SEM and NIR-CI studies confirmed the compatibility between compounds. From the determined physical and biochemical parameters of the formulations it was established that they are stable, homogeneous, and meet the conditions for orally disintegrating tablets. Conclusion: In the case of the investigated pharmaceutical formulations the study evidenced the assembling through physical bonds between the excipients and the ‘codrug’ complex, which do not affect the release of the bioactive compounds.
Role of intensive glucose control in development of renal end points in type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis intensive glucose control in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND Aggressive glycemic control has been hypothesized to prevent renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A systematic review was conducted to summarize the benefits of intensive vs conventional glucose control on kidney-related outcomes for adults with type 2 diabetes. METHODS Three databases were systematically searched (January 1, 1950, to December 31, 2010) with no language restrictions to identify randomized trials that compared surrogate renal end points (microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria) and clinical renal end points (doubling of the serum creatinine level, end-stage renal disease [ESRD], and death from renal disease) in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving intensive glucose control vs those receiving conventional glucose control. RESULTS We evaluated 7 trials involving 28 065 adults who were monitored for 2 to 15 years. Compared with conventional control, intensive glucose control reduced the risk for microalbuminuria (risk ratio, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.76-0.96]) and macroalbuminuria (0.74 [0.65-0.85]), but not doubling of the serum creatinine level (1.06 [0.92-1.22]), ESRD (0.69 [0.46-1.05]), or death from renal disease (0.99 [0.55-1.79]). Meta-regression revealed that larger differences in hemoglobin A1c between intensive and conventional therapy at the study level were associated with greater benefit for both microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria. The pooled cumulative incidence of doubling of the serum creatinine level, ESRD, and death from renal disease was low (<4%, <1.5%, and <0.5%, respectively) compared with the surrogate renal end points of microalbuminuria (23%) and macroalbuminuria (5%). CONCLUSIONS Intensive glucose control reduces the risk for microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria, but evidence is lacking that intensive glycemic control reduces the risk for significant clinical renal outcomes, such as doubling of the serum creatinine level, ESRD, or death from renal disease during the years of follow-up of the trials.
Turbulent drag on a low-frequency vibrating grid in superfluid He-4 at very low temperatures

We present measurements of the dissipative turbulent drag on a vibrating grid in superfluid He-4 over a wide range of (low) frequencies. At high velocities, the dissipative drag is independent of frequency and is approximately the same as that measured in normal liquid He-4. We present measurements on a similar grid in superfluid He-3-B at low temperatures which shows an almost identical turbulent drag coefficient at low frequencies. However, the turbulent drag in He-3-B is substantially higher at higher frequencies. We also present measurements of the inertial drag coefficient for grid turbulence in He-4. The inertial drag coefficient is significantly reduced by turbulence in both superfluid and normal liquid He-4.