Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Correlates of Alcohol Abuse and Dependence in Lebanon: Results from the Lebanese Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol (LESA)

The current article aimed to determine the 12-month prevalence and correlates of DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence in a nationally representative sample of Lebanese adults. One thousand participants collaborated in face-to-face interviews in 2011. Prevalence of 12-month alcohol dependence was 5%, with a higher risk for those who were men, unmarried, the youngest adults (aged between 18 and 34 years old), students, participants with a liberal occupation, participants with a low income, participants with a positive family history of alcohol misuse, and smokers. Prevalence of 12-month alcohol abuse was 6.2%, with a higher risk for those who were men, students, employees, and Druze and Christians compared to Muslims. Current alcohol abuse and dependence were found to be very highly prevalent in Lebanon.
Capacity Evaluation Framework and Validation of Self-Organized Routing Schemes

Assuming a given network topology and a routing protocol, this work is focused on the capacity evaluation of routing protocols based on either a self-organization scheme or a flat approach. To reach this goal, we propose to use linear-programming formulation to model radio resource sharing as linear constraints. Four models are detailed to evaluate the capacity of any routing scheme in wireless multihops networks. First, two models of fairness are proposed: either each node has a fair access to the channel, or the fairness is among the radio links. Besides, a pessimistic and an optimistic scenarios of spatial re-utilization of the medium are proposed, yielding a lower bound and an upper bound on the network capacity for each fairness case. Finally, using this model, we provide a comparative analysis of some flat and self-organized routing protocols
INTERCELLULAR MIGRATION OF CENTRIOLES IN THE GERMARIUM OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER

A cluster of centrioles has been found in the early Drosophila oocyte. Since the oocyte is connected to 15 nurse cells by a system of intercellular bridges or ring canals, the possibility that the cluster of centrioles arose in the germarium from an intercellular migration of centrioles from the nurse cells to the oocyte was analyzed in serial sections for the electron microscope. Initially, all of the 16 cells of the future egg chambers possess centrioles, which are located in a juxtanuclear position. At the time the 16 cell cluster becomes arranged in a lens-shaped layer laterally across the germarium, the centrioles lose their juxtanuclear position and move towards the oocyte. By the time the 16 cell cluster of cells is surrounded by follicle cells (Stage 1), between 14 and 17 centrioles are found in the oocyte. Later, these centrioles become located between the oocyte nucleus and the follicle cell border and become aggregated into a cluster less than 1.5 µ in its largest dimension. The fate of these centrioles in the oocyte is not known. The fine structure of the germarium and the early oocyte is also described.
Impaired Perceptual Memory of Locations across Gaze-shifts in Patients with Unilateral Spatial Neglect

Right hemisphere lesions often lead to severe disorders in spatial awareness and behavior, such as left hemispatial neglect. Neglect involves not only pathological biases in attention and exploration but also deficits in internal representations of space and spatial working memory. Here we designed a new paradigm to test whether one potential component may involve a failure to maintain an updated representation of visual locations across delays when a gaze-shift intervenes. Right hemisphere patients with varying severity of left spatial neglect had to encode a single target location and retain it across an interval of 2 or 3 sec, during which the target was transiently removed, before a subsequent probe appeared for a same/different location judgment. During the delay, gaze could have to shift to either side of the remembered location, or no gaze-shift was required. Patients showed a dramatic loss of memory for target location after shifting gaze to its right (toward their intact ipsilesional side), but not after leftward gaze-shifts. Such impairment arose even when the target initially appeared in the right visual field, before being updated leftward due to right gaze, and even when gaze returned to the screen center before the memory probe was presented. These findings indicate that location information may be permanently degraded when the target has to be remapped leftward in gaze-centric representations. Across patients, the location-memory deficit induced by rightward gaze-shifts correlated with left neglect severity on several clinical tests. This paradoxical memory deficit, with worse performance following gaze-shifts to the intact side of space, may reflect losses in gaze-centric representations of space that normally remap a remembered location dynamically relative to current gaze. Right gaze-shifts may remap remembered locations leftward, into damaged representations, whereas left gaze-shifts will require remapping rightward, into intact representations. Our findings accord with physiological data on normal remapping mechanisms in the primate brain but demonstrate for the first time their impact on perceptual spatial memory when damaged, while providing new insights into possible components that may contribute to the neglect syndrome.
Identification of Genes and Pathways Related to Phenol Degradation in Metagenomic Libraries from Petroleum Refinery Wastewater

Two fosmid libraries, totaling 13,200 clones, were obtained from bioreactor sludge of petroleum refinery wastewater treatment system. The library screening based on PCR and biological activity assays revealed more than 400 positive clones for phenol degradation. From these, 100 clones were randomly selected for pyrosequencing in order to evaluate the genetic potential of the microorganisms present in wastewater treatment plant for biodegradation, focusing mainly on novel genes and pathways of phenol and aromatic compound degradation. The sequence analysis of selected clones yielded 129,635 reads at an estimated 17-fold coverage. The phylogenetic analysis showed Burkholderiales and Rhodocyclales as the most abundant orders among the selected fosmid clones. The MG-RAST analysis revealed a broad metabolic profile with important functions for wastewater treatment, including metabolism of aromatic compounds, nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus. The predicted 2,276 proteins included phenol hydroxylases and cathecol 2,3- dioxygenases, involved in the catabolism of aromatic compounds, such as phenol, byphenol, benzoate and phenylpropanoid. The sequencing of one fosmid insert of 33 kb unraveled the gene that permitted the host, Escherichia coli EPI300, to grow in the presence of aromatic compounds. Additionally, the comparison of the whole fosmid sequence against bacterial genomes deposited in GenBank showed that about 90% of sequence showed no identity to known sequences of Proteobacteria deposited in the NCBI database. This study surveyed the functional potential of fosmid clones for aromatic compound degradation and contributed to our knowledge of the biodegradative capacity and pathways of microbial assemblages present in refinery wastewater treatment system.
Detecting ionospheric TEC perturbations caused by natural hazards using a global network of GPS receivers: The Tohoku case study

Recent advances in GPS data processing have demonstrated that ground-based GPS receivers are capable of detecting ionospheric TEC perturbations caused by surface-generated Rayleigh, acoustic and gravity waves. There have been a number of publications discussing TEC perturbations immediately following the M 9.0 Tohoku earthquake in Japan on March 11, 2011. Most investigators have focused on the ionospheric responses up to a few hours following the earthquake and tsunami. In our research, in addition to March 11, 2011 we investigate global ionospheric TEC perturbations a day before and after the event. We also compare indices of geomagnetic activity on all three days with perturbations in TEC, revealing strong geomagnetic storm conditions that are also apparent in processed GEONET TEC observations. In addition to the traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) produced by the earthquake and tsunami, we also detect “regular” TIDs across Japan about 5 hours following the Tohoku event, concluding these are likely due to geomagnetic activity. The variety of observed TEC perturbations are consistent with tsunami-generated gravity waves, auroral activity, regular TIDs and equatorial fluctuations induced by increased geomagnetic activity. We demonstrate our capabilities to monitor TEC fluctuations using JPL’s real-time Global Assimilative Ionospheric Model (GAIM) system. We show that a real-time global TEC monitoring network is able to detect the acoustic and gravity waves generated by the earthquake and tsunami. With additional real-time stations deployed, this new capability has the potential to provide real-time monitoring of TEC perturbations that could potentially serve as a plug-in to enhance existing early warning systems.
The Computational Complexity, Parallel Scalability, and Performance ofAtmospheric Data Assimilation AlgorithmS

The computational complexity of algorithms for Four DimensionalData Assimilation (4DDA) at NASA's Data Assimilation Office (DAO) is discussed.In 4DDA, observationsare assimilated with the output of a dynamical model to generatebest-estimatesof the statesof the system. It is thusa mappingproblem,wherebyscattered observationsare convertedinto regular accuratemaps of wind, temperature, moisture and other variables. The DAO is developingand using 4DDA algorithms that provide these datasets, or analyses,in support of Earth System Scienceresearch. Two large-scalealgorithms are discussed. The first approach, the Goddard Earth Observing System Data Assimilation System (GEOS DAS), uses an atmospheric general circulation model (GCM) and an observation-spacebasedanalysis system, the Physical-spaceStatistical Analysis System (PSAS). GEOS DAS is very similar to global meteorologicalweather forecastingdata assimilation systems,but is used at NASA for climate research. Systemsof this size typically run at between 1 and 20 gigaflop/s. The secondapproach, the Kalman filter, uses a more consistent al-gorithm to determine the forecast error covariancematrix than doesGEOS DAS. For atmosphericassimilation, the gridded dynamical fields typically havemore than 106variables, therefore the full error covariancematrix may be in excessof a tera-word. For the Kalman filter this problem can easily scaleto petaflop/s proportions. We discussthe computational complexity of GEOS DAS and our implementation of the Kalman filter. We also discuss and quantify some of the technical issuesand limitations in developingefficient, in terms of wall clock time, and scalableparallel implementations of the algorithms.
Response to anonymous referee # 1 Lorena Moreira June 30 , 2017

Stratospheric and middle mesospheric ozone profiles have been continually measured by the GROMOS (GROundbased Millimeter-wave Ozone Spectrometer) microwave radiometer since 1994 above Bern, Switzerland (46.95◦N, 7.44◦E, 577 m). GROMOS is part of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). A new version for the retrieval of ozone profiles of the ozone profile retrievals has been developed with the aim to improve the altitude range of retrieval profiles. GROMOS profiles from this new retrieval version have been compared to coincident ozone profiles obtained 5 by the satellite limb sounder Aura /MLS. The study covers the stratosphere and middle mesosphere from 50 to 0.05 hPa (from 21 to 70 km) and extends over the period from July 2009 to November 2016, which results in more than 350
Prevalence of Transmitted HIV-1 Drug Resistance (TDR) Associated Mutations and Predicted Drug Sensitivity in Newly Diagnosed HIV-1 Patient Cohort in a Western New York, 2005-2011

HIV-1 drug resistance associated mutations can be transmitted to persons who are antiretroviral-naive, called Transmitted Drug Resistance (TDR). TDR has the potential to compromise first-line anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in HIV patients and limit the antiretroviral regimens options, which has become an important public health problem. TDR surveillance is an important strategy to monitor the emergence of genetic. TDR has been reported in the United States for many years. Current antiretroviral treatment guidelines recommend drug resistance testing after diagnosis. We did a retrospective analysis of the genotype database of ART-naive patients from our immunodeficiency clinics at the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) in Buffalo, New York, United States from 2005 to 2011. The prevalence of TDR in the ECMC-US cohort is still high 13.3%. The drug susceptibility is significantly reduced in 10.9% patients. The mutations were mostly “old” drug (such as AZT, D4T, EFV, NVP, SQV/r) related, while most of the “new” drugs (such as TDF, RPV, DRV/r) maintained sensitivity. The introduction of new second, third generation drugs in recent years has not brought down the prevalence of TDR significantly. The TDR prevalence rates in the United States are indicative of the fact that drug resistant mutations were generated before or at the beginning of ART and transmitted down from one generation to the other in ART naive patients, emphasizing that additional management strategies are needed to diagnose HIV infected patients earlier and to effectively treat them timely to further reduce TDR.
An Efficient System for Regenerating Taraxacum Pieninicum Pawł. from Seedling Explants

An efficient micropropagation system for Taraxacum pieninicum using seedling explants germinated in vitro is described. Shoot tips and fragments of cotyledons, hypocotyls and roots were isolated from several-day-old seedlings. The highest response, 100% frequency with 12.3 axillary shoots/explant, was from shoot tips on medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L -1 BA and 0.05 mg L -1 NAA. In subsequent subcultures the number of shoots was significantly higher on all explants cultured on medium containing 0.25 and 0.5 mg L -1 BA, and the multiplication rate was highest (20 shoots/explant) in the 4th passage. Shoots rooted on MS and 1/2 MS medium; the highest rooting frequency was 90% and the highest number of roots 2.7/shoot. Rooted plants showed 96.2% survival in sterile soil:sand, and 100% survival in hydroponic culture. Regenerated plants flowered in the second year after acclimatization and yielded viable seeds. This protocol for obtaining complete plants through micropropagation may prove useful for conservation of the genetic resources of this and other endangered species.
Impacts of a woody invader vary in different vegetation communities

The impact of an exotic species in natural systems may be dependent not only on invader attributes but also on characteristics of the invaded community. We examined impacts of the invader bitou bush, Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. rotundata, in fore and hind dune communities of coastal New South Wales, Australia. We compared invader impacts on vegetation structure, richness of both native and exotic growth forms and community variability in fore and hind dunes. We found that impacts of bitou invasion were context specific: in fore dune shrublands, functionally distinct graminoid, herb and climber rather than shrub growth forms had significantly reduced species richness following bitou invasion. However, in forested hind dunes, the functionally similar native shrub growth form had significantly reduced species richness following bitou invasion. Density of vegetation structure increased at the shrub level in both fore and hind dune invaded communities compared with non‐invaded communities. Fore dune ground‐level vegetation density declined at invaded sites compared with non‐invaded sites, reflecting significant reductions in herb and graminoid species richness. Hind dune canopy‐level vegetation density was reduced at invaded compared with non‐invaded sites. Bitou bush invasion also affected fore dune community variability with significant increases in variability of species abundances observed in invaded compared with non‐invaded sites. In contrast, variability among all hind dune sites was similar. The results suggest that effects of bitou bush invasion are mediated by the vegetation community. When bitou bush becomes abundant, community structure and functioning may be compromised.
Using Triangles to Improve Community Detection in Directed Networks

In a graph, a community may be loosely defined as a group of nodes that are more closely connected to one another than to the rest of the graph. One common theme is many formalizations is that flows should tend to stay within com- munities. Hence, we expect short cycles to play an impor- tant role. For undirected graphs, the importance of trian- gles - an undirected 3-cycle - has been known for a long time and can be used to improve community detection. To identify communities in directed networks, we propose an undirected edge-weighting scheme based on directed trian- gles. We also propose a new metric on quality of the com- munities that is based on the number of 3-cycles that are split across communities. To demonstrate the impact of our new weighting, we use the standard METIS graph partition- ing tool to determine communities and show experimentally that the resulting communities result in fewer 3-cycles be- ing cut. The magnitude of the e! ect varies between a 10% and 50% reduction. We also find that this weighting scheme improves a task where plausible ground-truth communities are known.
Extreme Nanomechanics: Vacuum Nanoindentation and Nanotribology to 950 °C

Elevated temperature mechanical and tribological properties can be more relevant for practical wear situations than corresponding measurements at room temperature. However, high temperature nanomechanics and nanotribology is highly challenging experimentally. To overcome these challenges the NanoTest*** has been developed with active heating of the indenter and sample with resistive heaters, horizontal loading, patented thermal control method and stage design. By separately actively heating*** and controlling the temperatures of indenter and sample their temperatures can be precisely matched so that there is no heat flow and minimal/no thermal drift during the high temperature indentation,*** and measurements can be performed as reliably as at room temperature. Above 500 °C it is beneficial to use a cubic Boron Nitride indenter with gas purging to limit oxidation of samples. To achieve higher temperatures without indenter or sample oxidation an ultra-low drift high temperature vacuum nanomechanics/tribology system capable of testing to*** much higher temperatures has been recently developed (NanoTest Xtreme). The influence of time-dependent deformation on elevated temperature nanomechanical behaviour is discussed, using published results in Argon on glass-ceramic solid oxide fuel cell seal materials and previously unpublished nanoindentation measurements on single crystal silicon and polycrystalline tungsten using the NanoTest Xtreme in vacuum at temperatures up to 950 °C. Studies of the elevated temperature nano-/micro-tribological*** behaviour of wear-resistant*** nitride-based and MAX-phase coatings are also briefly reviewed.
Bisphosphonates, atherosclerosis and vascular calcification: update and systematic review of clinical studies

Background Epidemiologic and clinical data have suggested the existence of a biologic linkage between the bone system and the vascular system. Bisphosphonates (BPs) are effective inhibitors of bone resorption and are currently considered the drugs of choice for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and related fractures. Data from several publications have suggested that BPs may also be effective in reducing the atherosclerotic process and vascular calcification, but the results of these studies are contrasting. This review aimed to allow a better understanding of the relationships between BPs and atherosclerosis in humans. Materials and methods Electronic databases of Pubmed-Medline, Cochrane Library and SCOPUS from inception to June 30, 2016 were searched. The full texts of the articles potentially eligible were carefully assessed and reviewed. Finally, 20 studies were found to be eligible and were included in the systematic review. All included studies were published between 2000 and 2014. Results In several studies, etidronate limited the progression of aortic and coronary calcification in hemodialysis patients, whereas the nitrogen-containing-BPs given orally did not significantly reduce vascular calcifications in patients with chronic kidney disease, kidney trasplant or in those with osteoporosis. Nitrogen-containing-BPs present favorable effects both on vessel wall thickness and on arterial elasticity due to both a reduction in serum lipids and the interaction of BPs with the bone tissue, with the consequent release of bone turnover markers and cytokines into the bloodstream. Conclusion To sum up, the BPs seem to have the potential of influencing atherosclerosis and calcium homeostasis at the level of vascular walls with several possible mechanisms which may differ according to the type, potency, dosage and administration route of BPs. Additional studies are needed to specifically address the mechanism by which BP use could influence cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Learning a Center-Embeddding Rule in an Artificial Grammar Learning Task

Beginning with Fitch and Hauser (2004), a number of studies have used the Artificial Grammar Learning task to investigate learning rules generating hierarchical structural relations among sequences of elements that are characteristic of the grammar of human languages. Studies that have examined the learning of a center-embedding rule (AB rule) exemplified by the sentence, The dogs the girl the boys like feeds bark incessantly have provided mixed results. We present the results of three experiments that demonstrate learning when training occurs incrementally (e.g., Lai & Poletiek, 2011) and requires feedback when testing with a grammaticality judgment task. We also use a novel completion task, which demonstrated learning both with and without feedback. In all cases, not all participants learned the rule.
Ocularity Feature Contrast Attracts Attention Exogenously

An eye-of-origin singleton, e.g., a bar shown to the left eye among many other bars shown to the right eye, can capture attention and gaze exogenously or reflexively, even when it appears identical to other visual input items in the scene and when the eye-of-origin feature is irrelevant to the observer’s task. Defining saliency as the strength of exogenous attraction to attention, we say that this eye-of-origin singleton, or its visual location, is salient. Defining the ocularity of a visual input item as the relative difference between its left-eye input and its right-eye input, this paper shows the general case that an ocularity singleton is also salient. For example, a binocular input item among monocular input items is salient, so is a left-eye-dominant input item (e.g., a bar with a higher input contrast to the left eye than to the right eye) among right-eye-dominant items. Saliency by unique input ocularity is analogous to saliency by unique input colour (e.g., a red item among green ones), as colour is determined by the relative difference(s) between visual inputs to different photoreceptor cones. Just as a smaller colour difference between a colour singleton and background items makes this singleton less salient, so does a smaller ocularity difference between an ocularity singleton and background items. While a salient colour difference is highly visible, a salient ocularity difference is often perceptually invisible in some cases and discouraging gaze shifts towards it in other cases, making its behavioural manifestation not as apparent. Saliency by ocularity contrast provides another support to the idea that the primary visual cortex creates a bottom-up saliency map to guide attention exogenously.