Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transmission of bovine viral diarrhoea virus through the semen of acutely infected bulls under field conditions

Epidemiological investigations implicated the semen of artificial insemination (ai) bulls as the only plausible source of infection with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (bvdv) in 10 Finnish dairy herds. The infection was traced back to two northern Finncattle bulls that had been transiently infected when their semen had been collected while they were in a gene bank herd containing persistently infected (pi) animals. The isolates of bvdv from the animals in the gene bank herd, from the semen of the two bulls and from a pi calf born in one of the herds using the semen belonged to a rare genetic type in Finland and, on the basis of the nucleotide sequences in the 5′ untranslated region, were identical. Cross-contamination of batches of semen at the ai station and an external source of bvdv were ruled out for the recipient herds. It was concluded that bvdv infection can be transmitted through the semen of transiently infected bulls under field conditions.
Dual-polarization beam forming networks based on high order directional couplers

A Ka-band dual-polarization 3 dB directional coupler is designed for Beam Forming Network applications. The proposed solution is particularly suited for compact Nolen networks. Nolen architecture is attractive because it is planar and lossless. Two parallel square waveguides are coupled through an array of apertures, designed to get the desired coupling and high isolation between the two orthogonal polarizations.
Psychosocial Outcomes of Adult Children of Mothers With Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Research has established that children of parents with mental illness, compared with normative samples, are more likely to have emotional/ behavioral problems or psychiatric diagnoses themselves. Few studies have examined these children at adulthood, however, to document their diverse psychosocial outcomes and the parenting and contextual variables that predict differences.This study addressed this gap through interviews with 61 adult children of mothers with major depression or bipolar disorder. Outcomes were extremely heterogeneous, ranging from few problems with alcohol use or behavioral health to high incarceration rates and mental health services usage. In examining children at adulthood, race/ethnicity, mother's diagnosis, and contextual factors such as family and social environment were significant predictors of satisfaction with life. Diagnosis was only marginally predictive of life satisfaction. Self-reported risk factors such as a serious injury to parents, family members' having trouble with the law, and experiencing abuse or neglect as a child were not predictive of adult outcomes.
Lempel-Ziv factorization: Simple, fast, practical

For decades the Lempel-Ziv (LZ77) factorization has been a cornerstone of data compression and string processing algorithms, and uses for it are still being uncovered. For example, LZ77 is central to several recent text indexing data structures designed to search highly repetitive collections. However, in many applications computation of the factorization remains a bottleneck in practice. In this paper we describe simple and fast algorithms for computing the LZ77 factorization. These new methods consistently outperform all previous approaches in practice, use less memory, and still offer strong worstcase performance guarantees. A common feature of the new algorithms is their avoidance of the longest-common-prefix array, essential to nearly all prior art.
Learning to perform actions through multimodal interaction

Anthropomorphic robots are expected to collaborate with users as human-like assistants. For instance, users can control the behaviors of robots by speech. When a user sends a spoken command “pick up the apple on the desk”, a robot can perform the corresponding action and bring the apple to the user. To achieve this goal, the robot needs to acquire two basic sensorimotor skills. First, it needs to map action verbs (linguistic labels in speech) with corresponding actions. Second, it needs to know how to perform those actions. How does the robot acquire those skills? A new approach is proposed by (Weng et al. 2001) in which a brainlike artificial embodied system develops and learns based on real-time interactions with the environments by using multiple sensors and effectors. This work presents the first steps toward this kind of autonomous learning. Specifically, the embodied system described in this paper is able to acquire basic skills through natural interactions with users.
INFECTION OF HUMAN AND SIMIAN TISSUE CULTURES WITH ROUS SARCOMA VIRUS.

cell within each layer, while a heat flux from below produces a smaller scale turbulent motion. The interfacial phenomena described here are also somewhat similar to the "interfacial turbulence" observed by chemical engineers during the process of solvent extraction (Sherwood and Wei4), but the mechanisms are quite different. All their observations relate to the boundary between immiscible solvents, and the motion near such interfaces has been explained in terms of the variations of surfa( tension with concentration or temperature.
Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation Open Access Fractional Langevin Model of Gait Variability

The stride interval in healthy human gait fluctuates from step to step in a random manner and scaling of the interstride interval time series motivated previous investigators to conclude that this time series is fractal. Early studies suggested that gait is a monofractal process, but more recent work indicates the time series is weakly multifractal. Herein we present additional evidence for the weakly multifractal nature of gait. We use the stride interval time series obtained from ten healthy adults walking at a normal relaxed pace for approximately fifteen minutes each as our data set. A fractional Langevin equation is constructed to model the underlying motor control system in which the order of the fractional derivative is itself a stochastic quantity. Using this model we find the fractal dimension for each of the ten data sets to be in agreement with earlier analyses. However, with the present model we are able to draw additional conclusions regarding the nature of the control system guiding walking. The analysis presented herein suggests that the observed scaling in interstride interval data may not be due to long-term memory alone, but may, in fact, be due partly to the statistics.
Guardian of the Public and/or the Child: Policy Questions and Conflicts for the Juvenile Court Prosecutor

For several decades, prosecutors rarely worked in juvenile courts. The in re Gault decision in 1967, however, granted juvenile criminal defendants several constitutional rights that have transformed juvenile courts into criminal-court-like operations. Although prosecutors now regularly appear in juvenile court, generally, they have not been told whether (or how) they should promote the court’s special rehabilitation mission or emulate their counterparts in adult criminal court; research has mostly ignored this subject. In this study, 100 juvenile court workers (judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation officers) from three juvenile courts (urban, suburban, rural) were interviewed to determine how prosecutors were operating in juvenile court and what these workers perceived to be the proper role for prosecutors. The data show that most workers in the urban center believed that prosecutors were ignoring the dictates of juvenile justice philosophy and were undermining the court’s operations; many wor.
Where Do We Stand? Testing the Foundation of a Shared Site Intergenerational Program

Abstract Shared site intergenerational care programs provide ongoing services simultaneously to old and young community members at a single facility, thereby, meeting the care needs of multiple generations. However, they face the challenge of sustainability common to all community-based programs. We employed the results management model to identify program elements that may enhance or inhibit sustainability of intergenerational programming at a shared site facility involving a child development lab school and adult day services program. The 4-step results management approach is a strengths-based model that supports community capacity and achievement of community and program goals. The current paper describes the first step in the results management approach, mapping the terrain, which involves gathering evidence of community needs and strengths. Focus groups were conducted with eleven staff members from both programs after a 4-month intergenerational program. The focus groups targeted the needs and strengths related to intergenerational programming. Respondents identified strengths that enhanced staff members' and clients' capacity for collaboration. These included affective and developmental benefits for both generations and strong partnerships between staff members. Respondents also identified factors that limited collaboration, such as the need for greater authority support and cross-training opportunities. Findings from our study have been used by program administrators to continue using the results management approach to further build intergenerational community and expand the scope of evaluating intergenerational shared site programs. Other intergenerational programs may utilize the results management model to enhance intergenerational programming and increase program sustainability.
Multi-level converter with auxiliary resonant-commutated pole

The family of multi-level power converters offers advantages for high-power, high-voltage systems. A multi-level nested-cell structure has the attractive feature of static and dynamic voltage sharing among the switches. This is achieved by using clamping capacitors (floating capacitors) rather than clamping diodes. However, an approach to reduce the switching losses may be necessary in case of high-frequency operation. In this paper, soft-switching techniques are applied to nested cells, based on the auxiliary resonant-commutated pole (ARCP) principle. Attention is paid to a simple three-level power converter leg which shows a high degree of PWM control, the floating capacitor being an integral part of the soft-commutation circuitry. Simulation data and experimental results confirm the analysis.
Flower-like Au-Fe3O4 optical nanosensor for imaging protease expressions in vivo

History has witnessed an enormous progress of developing nanocrystals into “smart” probes for either imaging or therapeutic applications. Such progress is in large part powered by our ability to manipulate the surface of nanoparticles, marked by the establishment of surface engineering techniques that permit facile docking of functional motifs onto particles. However, these techniques have been increasingly challenged by the growing needs of imparting multiple motifs onto a single nanoplatform without disturbing the balance among the particles' physiological stability, target specificity and biological activity. Biphasic composite nanoparticles yield a multiplied combination of structural and functional parameters thereby providing greater flexibility in the design of nanogadgets. Here we have used a flower-shaped Au-Fe3O4 nanoparticle as a template to construct an optical probe that can be specifically activated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expressed in tumors. Gold nanoparticles have excellent quenching properties but labile surface chemistry in an in vivo environment; on the other hand, iron oxide nanoparticles afford robust surface chemistry but are suboptimal as energy receptors. By the marriage of the two, we have been able to combine the strengths of each component to yield a unified structure with a desired performance that would not be achievable with the separate components. Our results demonstrate that the architecture of nanoparticles can be modulated to tailor their function as molecular imaging/therapeutic agents.
School-based professional development in one Lebanese school: how much is too much?

This case study examines the attitudes of the secondary and middle school teachers at one school in Lebanon regarding the effect of the school’s professional development (PD) programs on the quality of their teaching practices and motivation. It also examines teachers’ attitudes regarding PD as well as their recommendations to improve the quality of the PD program provided by their school. Questionnaires, focus group interviews and observations were conducted to collect and triangulate data results. Results show that teachers regard PD in their school as beneficial in general but able to be enhanced further. Although the attitude of novice teachers towards PD is more favorable than that of veteran teachers, findings show that the overall teachers’ attitude towards PD is a negative one. Modifications and suggestions to improve the quality of the PD activities are proposed by the teachers. The school offers a prosperous PD program, but its fruitfulness will remain limited unless an organizational structure is created.
A Stepping-Stone to Fully Integrated Whole-Body PET/MRI Performance Measurements of the Siemens mMR Integrated Whole-Body PET/MR Scanner

The recently released Biograph mMR is the ﬁrst commercially available integrated whole-body PET/MR scanner. There are considerable advantages to integrating both modalities in a single scanner that enables truly simultaneous acquisition. However, there are also concerns about the possible degradation of both PET and MR performance in an integrated system. This paper evaluates the performance of the Biograph mMR during independent and simul- taneous acquisition of PET and morphologic MR data. Methods: The NEMA NU 2-2007 protocol was followed for studying the PET performance. The following measurements were performed: spatial resolution; scatter fraction, count losses, and randoms; sensitivity; accuracy of the correction for count losses and randoms; and image quality. The quality control manual of the American College of Radiology was followed for studying the MR performance. The following measurements were performed: geometric accuracy, spatial resolution, low-contrast detectability, signal-to-noise ratio, static ﬁeld (B 0 ) homogeneity, radiofrequency ﬁeld (B 1 ) homogeneity, and radiofrequency noise. Results: An average spatial resolution of 4.3 mm in full width at half maximum was measured at 1 cm offset from the center of the ﬁeld of view. The system sensitivity was 15.0 kcps/MBq along the center of the scanner. The scatter fraction was 37.9%, and the peak noise-equivalent count rate was 184 kcps at 23.1 kBq/mL. The maximum absolute value of the relative count rate error due to dead-time losses and randoms was 5.5%. The average residual error in scatter and attenuation correction was 12.1%. All MR parameters were within the tolerances deﬁned by the American College of Radiology. B0 inhomogeneities below 1 ppm were mea- sured in a 120-mm radius. B-i homogeneity and signal-to-noise ratio were equivalent to those of a standard MR scanner. No radiofre- quency interference was detected. Conclusion: These results compare favorably with other state-of-the-art PET/CT and PET/MR scanners, indicating that the integration of the PET detectors in the MR scanner and their operation within the magnetic ﬁeld do not have a perceptible impact on the overall performance. The MR subsystem performs essentially like a standalone system. How- ever, further work is necessary to evaluate the more advanced MR applications, such as functional imaging and spectroscopy.
Phenotypic Switch Induced by Simulated Microgravity on MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells

Microgravity exerts dramatic effects on cell morphology and functions, by disrupting cytoskeleton and adhesion structures, as well as by interfering with biochemical pathways and gene expression. Impairment of cells behavior has both practical and theoretical significance, given that investigations of mechanisms involved in microgravity-mediated effects may shed light on how biophysical constraints cooperate in shaping complex living systems. By exposing breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells to simulated microgravity (~0.001 g), we observed the emergence of two morphological phenotypes, characterized by distinct membrane fractal values, surface area, and roundness. Moreover, the two phenotypes display different aggregation profiles and adherent behavior on the substrate. These morphological differences are mirrored by the concomitant dramatic functional changes in cell processes (proliferation and apoptosis) and signaling pathways (ERK, AKT, and Survivin). Furthermore, cytoskeleton undergoes a dramatic reorganization, eventually leading to a very different configuration between the two populations. These findings could be considered adaptive and reversible features, given that, by culturing microgravity-exposed cells into a normal gravity field, cells are enabled to recover their original phenotype. Overall these data outline the fundamental role gravity plays in shaping form and function in living systems.
A study on warning algorithms for Istanbul earthquake early warning system

17 August (Mw 7.4) and 12 November 1999 (Mw 7.2) earthquakes have caused major concern about future earthquake occurrences in Istanbul and in the Marmara Region. Stress transfer studies and renewal model type probabilistic investigations indicate about 2% annual probability for a Mw = 7+ earthquake in the Marmara Sea. As part of the preparations for the expected earthquake in Istanbul, an early warning system has been established in 2002. A simple and robust algorithm, based on the exceedance of specified threshold time domain amplitude and the cumulative absolute velocity (CAV) levels, is implemented for this system. Rational threshold levels related to new bracketed CAV window approach (BCAV‐W) are determined, based on dataset of strong ground motion records with fault distances of less than 100 km, as 0.2 m/s, 0.4 m/s and 0.7 m/s related to three alarm levels which will be incorporated in the Istanbul earthquake early warning system.
Biomechanical Changes After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Type B Dissection

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has evolved into an established treatment option for type B aortic dissection (TBAD) since it was first introduced 2 decades ago. Morbidity and mortality have decreased due to the minimally invasive character of TEVAR, with adequate stabilization of the dissection, restoration of true lumen perfusion, and subsequent positive aortic remodeling. However, several studies have reported severe setbacks of this technique. Indeed, little is known about the biomechanical behavior of implanted thoracic stent-grafts and the impact on the vascular system. This study sought to systematically review the performance and behavior of implanted thoracic stent-grafts and related biomechanical aortic changes in TBAD patients in order to update current knowledge and future perspectives.
Using ViewPoints for inconsistency management

Large-scale software development is an evolutionary process. In an evolving specification, multiple development participants often hold multiple inconsistent views on the system being developed, and considerable effort is spent handling recurrent inconsistencies. Detecting and resolving inconsistencies is only part of the problem; a resolved inconsistency might not stay resolved as a specification evolves. Frameworks in which inconsistency is tolerated help by allowing resolution to be delayed. However, the evolution of a specification may affect both resolved and unresolved inconsistencies. A framework is presented and elaborated in which software development knowledge is partitioned into multiple views called ViewPoints. Inconsistencies between ViewPoints are managed by explicitly representing relationships between them, and recording both resolved and unresolved inconsistencies. It is assumed that ViewPoints will often be inconsistent, and so a complete work record is kept, detailing any inconsistencies that have been detected and what actions, if any, have been taken to resolve them. The work record is then used to reason about the effects of subsequent changes to ViewPoints, without constraining the development process. The paper demonstrates how inconsistency management is used as a tool for requirements elicitation and how ViewPoints provide a vehicle for achieving this. Inconsistency is used as a stimulus for eliciting missing information and capturing user-defined relationships that arise between elements of an evolving specification.
Cytoskeleton Modifications and Autophagy Induction in TCam-2 Seminoma Cells Exposed to Simulated Microgravity

The study of how mechanical forces may influence cell behavior via cytoskeleton remodeling is a relevant challenge of nowadays that may allow us to define the relationship between mechanics and biochemistry and to address the larger problem of biological complexity. An increasing amount of literature data reported that microgravity condition alters cell architecture as a consequence of cytoskeleton structure modifications. Herein, we are reporting the morphological, cytoskeletal, and behavioral modifications due to the exposition of a seminoma cell line (TCam-2) to simulated microgravity. Even if no differences in cell proliferation and apoptosis were observed after 24 hours of exposure to simulated microgravity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that the change of gravity vector significantly affects TCam-2 cell surface morphological appearance. Consistent with this observation, we found that microtubule orientation is altered by microgravity. Moreover, the confocal analysis of actin microfilaments revealed an increase in the cell width induced by the low gravitational force. Microtubules and microfilaments have been related to autophagy modulation and, interestingly, we found a significant autophagic induction in TCam-2 cells exposed to simulated microgravity. This observation is of relevant interest because it shows, for the first time, TCam-2 cell autophagy as a biological response induced by a mechanical stimulus instead of a biochemical one.
Clinical efficacy of cefotaxime in serious infections

Thirty-five patients underwent 38 treatment courses with cefotaxime. Documented infections included 11 bacteremias, 7 cases of nosocomial pneumonia, 6 surgical wound infections, 3 bone infections, 1 biliary infection, and 1 urinary tract infection. Granulocytopenic patients with fever received 15 courses of empiric cefotaxime therapy alone; in 8 courses, no definite site of infection or pathogen was isolated. Broad-spectrum antibiotics had been administered to 23 patients before cefotaxime. Thirty-seven bacterial pathogens were isolated from 25 patients. Three such pathogens were resistant to cefotaxime and required alternative therapies. Pathogenic isolates included 13 Serratia marcescens, 12 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 4 Escherichia coli, 2 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 2 Providencia stuartii, 1 Enterobacter cloacae, 1 Haemophilus influenzae, 1 Enterococcus, and 1 Staphylococcus aureus. Of the treatment courses, 25 of 38 resulted in a favorable response to cefotaxime, including 9 of 15 in granulocytopenic patients. Superinfection was seen in one patient. The emergence of resistance was documented in another patient. Of 15 patients with multiply resistant pathogens, 12 improved with cefotaxime. Of 12 patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 6 favorably responded. Possible complications of cefotaxime were observed in 14 of 42 treatment courses. Cefotaxime is most useful in treatment of infections due to multiply resistant, gram-negative pathogens other than Pseudomonas aeruginosa.