Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
REAL Zero – Reducing refrigerant emissions & leakage- feedback from the IOR Project

In October 2007, Jane Gartshore’s Presidential Address highlighted the significant problems associated with leakage of HFC and HCFC type refrigerants. Refrigerant leakage has an adverse impact on climate change both directly because these refrigerants are very powerful greenhouse gases, and also indirectly because leaking systems are less energy efficient. There are also high financial penalties associated with the additional energy and service costs, downtime, and food wastage or lost production. In recent years awareness of the issue has increased significantly both through the implementation of the European Ozone Depleting Substances and Fluorinated Gas (F-Gas) Regulation and the activities of the Institute of Refrigeration. The Regulations aim to improve containment of HFC refrigerants through leak testing, engineer qualification and record keeping. The Institute of Refrigeration has provided practical information to help industry comply with the F-Gas Regulation and make a real reduction in refrigerant leakage. This has been achieved mainly through the REAL Zero (Refrigerant Emissions And Leakage Zero) project. This paper summarises Real Zero, provides background literature on the global issue of refrigerant leakage, gives some up to date information from the analysis of current F-Gas use in installed systems and leakage record data, and provides a discussion on the way forward.
Computational complexity of μ calculation

The structured singular value /spl mu/ measures the robustness of uncertain systems. Numerous researchers over the last decade have worked on developing efficient methods for computing /spl mu/. This paper considers the complexity of calculating /spl mu/ with general mixed real/complex uncertainty in the framework of combinatorial complexity theory. In particular, it is proved that the /spl mu/ recognition problem with either pure real or mixed real/complex uncertainty is NP-hard. This strongly suggests that it is futile to pursue exact methods for calculating /spl mu/ of general systems with pure real or mixed uncertainty for other than small problems. >
Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens of the Genera Rickettsia, Anaplasma and Francisella in Ixodes ricinus Ticks in Pomerania (Poland)

Tick-borne pathogens are an important medical and veterinary issue worldwide. Environmental monitoring in relation to not only climate change but also globalization is currently essential. The present study aimed to detect tick-borne pathogens of the genera Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Francisella in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from the natural environment, i.e., recreational areas and pastures used for livestock grazing. A total of 1619 specimens of I. ricinus were collected, including ticks of all life stages (adults, nymphs and larvae). The study was performed using the PCR technique. Diagnostic gene fragments msp2 for Anaplasma, gltA for Rickettsia and tul4 for Francisella were amplified. No Francisella spp. DNA was detected in I. ricinus. DNA of A. phagocytophilum was detected in 0.54% of ticks and Rickettsia spp. in 3.69%. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that only one species of Rickettsia, R. helvetica, was present in the studied tick population. The present results are a part of a large-scale analysis aimed at monitoring the level of tick infestation in Northwest Poland.
Mortality prediction in the ICU: can we do better? Results from the Super ICU Learner Algorithm (SICULA) project, a population-based study

Background— Improved mortality prediction for patients in intensive care units (ICU) remains an important challenge. Many severity scores have been proposed but validation studies have concluded that they are not adequately calibrated. Many flexible algorithms are available, yet none of these individually outperform all others regardless of context. In contrast, the Super Learner (SL), an ensemble machine learning technique that leverages on multiple learning algorithms to obtain better prediction performance, has been shown to perform at least as well as the optimal member of its library. It might provide an ideal opportunity to construct a novel severity score with an improved performance profile. The aim of the present study was to provide a new mortality prediction algorithm for ICU patients using an implementation of the Super Learner , and to assess its performance relative to prediction based on the SAPS II, APACHE II and SOFA scores. Methods— We used the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II (MIMIC-II) database (v26) including all patients admitted to an ICU at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess
Applying machine learning to key performance indicators

Background Making predictions on Key Performance Indicators (KPI) requires statistical knowledge, and knowledge about the underlying entity. This means that a measurement designer needs to do manual work to define and deploy the KPIs. As the use of machine learning has become increasingly popular, computing power has become cheaper and more accessible, we can replace manual assessments with automated algorithms. Using the predictive power of machine learning to predict KPIs is a natural step in this direction. Objective This thesis investigates three different KPIs in two different domains; it explores how to apply machine learning in predictions of these KPIs. The KPIs are defect inflow and defect backlog of a single product at Ericsson AB and the status level of parameters used in car projects at Volvo Car Corporation (VCC). Method The method is divided into six research cycles where all three KPIs are investigated using different aspects and methods. The two main methods used is a linear regression approach and a rolling time frame. The linear regression method is applied two times to different aspects of the status KPI at VCC. The rolling time frame is applied to all three KPIs investigated in the remaining four research cycles. Result The result shows a relative error of 12% when applying the linear regression approach to the status KPI from VCC and 24% when predicting each status level by itself using the linear regression approach. The rolling time frame showed that the best prediction for predicting one week ahead is to use the previous value as this gives an error of 1%, both when predicting the average status and each status level by itself.The defect inflow predictions showed an error of 19% when applying a KNN algorithm to the rolling time frame.The defect backlog yielded an error of below 1% when using the previous value as a prediction. Conclusion The inflow predictions was the only predictions that proved better then previous attempts in literature, but as this was only applied on a single product in a single company this is not generalizable. It does provide a new way of predicting the defect in ow not previously seen before. The result from the linear prediction at VCC reviled a way of working which was desirable for the organization as the linear reporting was an ideal goal to strive for.
Anti-Acid Therapy and Disease Progression in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: an analysis of data from three randomized controlled trials

Background— Abnormal acid gastroesophageal reflux is common in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and is considered a risk factor for its development. Retrospective studies have suggested study data approval; RSR the design, data analysis, interpretation, and writing; and EY the figures, study design, data analysis, interpretation,
Gender Differences in Function, Physical Activity, Falls Medication Use and Life Satisfaction Among Assisted Living Residents

The purpose of this study was to test for gender differences among assisted living residents. This was a secondary data analysis using data from the first 64 facilities participating in the ongoing Function Focused Care for Assisted Living study using the Evidence Integration Triangle (FFC-AL-EIT). A total of 593 residents were recruited from 64 assisted living settings. Differences by gender with regard to function, physical activity, falls, total numbers of medications, and satisfaction with assisted living were tested using multivariate analysis of variance. There were 166 males (28%) and 427 females (72%) with a mean age of 88 (SD=7.5). The participants had 5 comorbidities (SD= 2) and took on average 6.88 medications (SD=3.47). Participants had moderate functional impairment with a mean of 64.13 (SD=19.09) on the Barthel Index and engaged in 43.80 (SD=76.12) minutes daily of moderate level physical activity. Females reported higher satisfaction with activities [4.32 (SD=1.14) for females and 3.85 (SD=1.51) for males] and females received more medications than males [7.09 (SD=3.51) for females and 6.34 (SD=3.31) for males]. Current study findings suggest that deprescribing may be
COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF CHLOPYRIFOS IN WILD TYPE AND CANNABINIOID CB1 RECEPTOR KNOCKOUT MICE

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) modulate neurotransmission by inhibiting the release of a variety of neurotransmitters. The cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) can modulate organophosphorus (OP) anticholinesterase toxicity in rats, presumably by inhibiting acetylcholine (ACh) release. Some OP anticholinesterases also inhibit eCB-degrading enzymes. We studied the effects of the OP insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) on cholinergic signs of toxicity, cholinesterase activity and ACh release in tissues from wild type (+/+) and cannabinoid CB1 receptor knockout ( − / − ) mice. Mice of both genotypes (n=5–6/treatment group) were challenged with CPF (300 mg/ kg, 2 ml/kg in peanut oil, sc) and evaluated for functional and neurochemical changes. Both genotypes exhibited similar cholinergic signs and cholinesterase inhibition (82–95% at 48 h after dosing) in cortex, cerebellum and heart. WIN reduced depolarization-induced ACh release in vitro in hippocampal slices from wild type mice, but had no effect in hippocampal slices from knockouts or in striatal slices from either genotype. Chlorpyrifos oxon (CPO, 100 μ M) reduced release in hippocampal slices from both genotypes in vitro, but with a greater reduction in tissues from wild types (21% vs 12%). CPO had no significant in vitro effect on ACh release in striatum. CPF reduced ACh release in hippocampus from both genotypes ex vivo, but reduction was again significantly greater in tissues from wild types (52% vs 36%). In striatum, CPF led to a similar reduction (20–23%) in tissues from both genotypes. Thus, while CB1 deletion in mice had little influence on the expression of acute toxicity following CPF, CPF- or CPO-induced changes in ACh release appeared sensitive to modulation by CB1-mediated eCB signaling in a brain-regional manner.
Chick Integrin α v Subunit Molecular Analysis Reveals High Conservation of Structural Domains and Association with Multiple β Subunits in Embryo Fibroblastst

We have cloned and characterized a chick homologue of the human vitronectin receptor α subunit ( α v ) whose primary sequence is 83% identical with its human counterpart but less than 40% identical with any other known integrin α subunit. Comparison of the chick and human sequences reveals several highly conserved regions, including the cytoplasmic domain. The putative ligand binding domain contains α v -specific residues that may contribute to ligand binding specificity. These are concentrated in three regions that are located before and between the first three Ca 2+ binding domains. Polyclonal antibodies raised against two peptides deduced from the putative cytoplasmic and extracellular domains of the chick α v sequence recognize specifically integrin heterodimers in chick embryo fibroblasts. At least three putative β subunits coimmunoprecipitate with the chick α v subunit. In addition to a protein with the same molecular weight as β 3 (94K), protein bands of M r 84K and 110K are also coprecipitated. By successive immunodepletions, we demonstrate that this latter M r 110K subunit is β 1 , which appears to be one of the α v -associated subunits in chick embryo fibroblasts. The integrin family of cell-surface receptors interactions between cells and matrix proteins that cellular [reviewed by Hynes Ruoslahti and Pierschbacher (1987), Buck and Horwitz (1987), and Hemler (1990)]. named α
Design of Sensor Systems for Long Time Electrodermal Activity Monitoring

This article describes successive development of electrodermal activity monitoring sensor system. Our aim is to improve existing systems to be more practical and suitable for long-term monitoring. Therefore, compared to conventional devices, our system must be easily wearable, without limiting the examined person in ordinary life, with low power consumption, battery operated and reducing the impact of negative artefacts. Specifically, we describe here three devices. The first is serving mainly to familiarize with the methodology, extensive testing and optimization of measurement parameters. Based on the obtained result, we constructed second system in form of small ring - "EDA ring". Last sensor system is developed with the effort to integrate the monitoring of electrodermal activity in e-health and smart clothes.
Comparison of transduction efficiency among various lentiviruses containing GFP reporter in BM-HSC transplantation

HIV-derived lentiviral vectors have been widely employed to transduce non-dividing cells, such hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), in the setting of gene therapy. Here, we screened lentiviral vectors for their ability to drive expression of the murine MHC class II (MHCII) chaperone, invariant chain (Ii) and a GFP reporter. The vectors included T2A vector with T2A-separated Ii and GFP under the same MSCV promoter, dual-promoter vectors with separate promoters for Ii and GFP (called MSCV or EF1a according to the promoter driving Ii expression), and a vector with EF1a driving a fusion of Ii/GFP (called Fusion vector). T2A and MSCV induced highest levels of Ii and GFP expression, respectively, after direct transfection of 293T cells. All vectors except the Fusion vector drove expression of functional Ii, based on the enhancement of MHC II level, which is a known consequence of Ii expression. Comparing the vectors after they were packaged into lentiviruses and used to transduce 293T, we found MSCV and EF1a vectors mediated higher Ii and GFP expression. In ckit + bone marrow (BM) cells, MSCV still induced the highest Ii and GFP expression, whereas EF1a only induced robust Ii expression. Regardless of the vector, both Ii and GFP levels were significantly reduced in BM cells compared to 293T cells. When in vivo expression was assessed in cells derived from MSCV-transduced BM-HSC, up to 80% of myeloid cells were GFP + , but no Ii expression was observed. In contrast, transplantation of EF1a-transduced BM-HSC led to much higher These findings suggest that the MSCV promoter may be specifically inhibited in the murine HSC environment (discussed below), although it has been found to function in
Interaction of Childhood Maltreatment with the Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor Gene: Effects on HPA Axis Reactivity

Background— Variation in the corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor ( CRHR1 ) gene has been shown to interact with early-life stress to predict adult depression. This study was conducted to determine whether CRHR1 polymorphisms interact with childhood maltreatment to predict HPA axis reactivity, which has been linked to both depression and early-life stress. Methods— One-hundred twenty-nine White non-Hispanic adults completed the Childhood Trauma Questionaire, the dexamethasone/corticotropin-releasing hormone test, and provided blood samples for genotyping of two CRHR1 polymorphisms. Results— Both rs110402 and rs242924 (which were in tight linkage disequilibrium, D’=0.98) showed a significant interaction with maltreatment in the prediction of cortisol response to the Dex/CRH test (p<.05). For subjects with maltreatment, the GG genotype of each SNP was associated with elevated cortisol responses to the test. Conclusions— Variation in the CRHR1 moderates the effect of childhood maltreatment on cortisol responses to the Dex/CRH test. Excessive HPA axis activation could represent a mechanism of interactions of risk genes with stress in the development of mood and anxiety disorders.
Imidazoquinoline TLR8 agonists activate human newborn monocytes and dendritic cells via adenosine-refractory and caspase-1-dependent pathways

Background— Newborns suffer frequent infection and manifest impaired vaccine responses, motivating a search for neonatal vaccine adjuvants. Alum is a neonatal adjuvant, but may confer a Th2 bias. Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists are candidate adjuvants, but human neonatal cord blood monocytes (Mos) demonstrate impaired Th1-polarizing responses to many TLR agonists due to plasma adenosine acting via cAMP. TLR8 agonists, including imidazoquinolines (IMQs) such as the small synthetic 3M-002, induce adult-level TNF from neonatal Mos, but the scope and mechanisms of IMQ-induced activation of neonatal Mos and Mo-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) have not been reported. co-stimulatory molecules were measured. TLR8 and inflammasome function were assayed using siRNA and western blotting/ caspase-1 inhibitory peptide, respectively. The ontogeny of TLR8 agonist–induced cytokine responses was defined in Rhesus macaque whole blood ex vivo. Results— IMQs were more potent and effective than Alum at inducing TNF and IL-1 β from Mos. 3M-002 induced robust TLR pathway transcriptome activation and Th1-polarizing cytokine production in neonatal and adult Mos and MoDCs, signaling via TLR8 in an adenosine/cAMP-refractory manner. Newborn MoDCs displayed impaired LPS/ATP-induced caspase-1-mediated IL-1 β production, but robust 3M-002-induced caspase-1-mediated inflammasome activation independent of exogenous ATP. TLR8-IMQs induced robust TNF and IL-1 β in whole blood of Rhesus macaques at birth and infancy. Conclusions— IMQ TLR8 agonists engage adenosine-refractory TLR8 and inflammasome pathways to induce robust Mo and MoDC activation and represent promising neonatal adjuvants. unique we characterized the pattern of IMQ TLR8 agonist-induced activation of human neonatal Mos and MoDCs and the mechanisms underlying this activation. We show that IMQs induce, via TLR8- and caspase-1-mediated pathways to effects of adenosine/cAMP, from that exceed or other We also characterized the post-natal age range during which TLR8 agonists retain superior activity relative to other TLRs agonists Rhesus in macaque whole tested ex vivo. These results shed new light on the mechanisms governing neonatal Mo and MoDC responses, establish functional expression of the neonatal caspase-1/inflammasome as an adenosine-refractory pathway, and suggest that IMQ TLR8 agonists are promising candidate neonatal and infant immune adjuvants for and inflammasome signaling pathways in early life is warranted, including the study of combinatorial effects of Alum and TLR agonists.
Technical feasibility of reuse of effluent generated from reverse osmosis system in a pharmaceutical plant

Reuse reduces the consumption of freshwater supplies and the negative environmental impact caused by the discharge of industrial effluents. Some industries have already adopted this practice; however, no studies were found in the literature regarding this subject in the pharmaceutical industry. This work investigated the potential reuse of effluent (concentrate) generated from the Reverse Osmosis/Electro-deionization System (RO/EDI) that is used for the production of purified water in a Brazilian pharmaceutical plant. This industrial complex consumed about 200,000 m 3 of water per year between 2012 and 2013 to produce one million of doses of vaccines, i.e., 2 L of water per dose of vaccine produced. During this period, the RO/EDI produced 27,000 m 3 of purified water annually and generated 24,000 m 3 of effluent (concentrate). This amount of effluent could be used to supply the production of industry steam (boilers) and/or cold water (cooling towers) that annually consumed an average of 12,000 m 3 and 40,000 m 3 , respectively. The reuse of this effluent would result in a gross financial savings of 96,000 USD per year, excluding the costs of installation and control. From what has been researched in the literature, this work showed for the first time the possibility of reuse of effluent from RO/EDI System in the pharmaceutical industry.
Enrolling and Retaining Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Their Care: A Metasynthesis of Qualitative Studies

Objectives— To report the findings of a metasynthesis review of qualitative studies on patient and provider experiences and perspectives on linkage and retention in HIV care. Design— The review is an extraction, aggregation, interpretation and synthesis of qualitative findings based on the Sandelowski and Barroso method. Data sources— A search of the literature was conducted in the databases Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, PubMed and PsycInfo for articles published from 2008–2013. Inclusion criteria were qualitative research articles published in English from across the world and in peer-reviewed journals. Literature reviews, conference abstracts and grey literature were excluded from this metasynthesis. Review Methods— The review consisted of a) comprehensive search, b) study classification, c) abstraction of findings, d) synthesis. Of the 4640 citations screened, 69 articles were included for this metasynthesis. Results— 69 unique articles from 44 countries were included. This metasynthesis takes into account the perspectives of at least 2263 HIV-positive participants (740 men, 1008 women, 78 transgender individuals and 437 unspecified sex) and 994 healthcare providers, family members and community members. The most salient barriers and facilitators to HIV linkage and retention in HIV care affirm ecological factors that are mostly beyond individual patients’ control. Triadic streams of influence concurrently affect care engagement that include a person’s psychological state upon diagnosis and their informational challenges (intrapersonal stream); one-on-one interactions with providers and their immediate community (social stream); and life demands, overall quality of care experiences and other structural barriers (cultural-attitudinal stream). Each