Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variation in the heat shock response and its implication for predicting the effect of global climate change on species' biogeographical distribution ranges and metabolic costs

SUMMARY The preferential synthesis of heat shock proteins (Hsps) in response to thermal stress [the heat shock response (HSR)] has been shown to vary in species that occupy different thermal environments. A survey of case studies of aquatic (mostly marine) organisms occupying stable thermal environments at all latitudes, from polar to tropical, shows that they do not in general respond to heat stress with an inducible HSR. Organisms that occupy highly variable thermal environments (variations up to >20°C), like the intertidal zone, induce the HSR frequently and within the range of body temperatures they normally experience, suggesting that the response is part of their biochemical strategy to occupy this thermal niche. The highest temperatures at which these organisms can synthesize Hsps are only a few degrees Celsius higher than the highest body temperatures they experience. Thus, they live close to their thermal limits and any further increase in temperature is probably going to push them beyond those limits. In comparison, organisms occupying moderately variable thermal environments (<10°C), like the subtidal zone, activate the HSR at temperatures above those they normally experience in their habitats. They have a wider temperature range above their body temperature range over which they can synthesize Hsps. Contrary to our expectations, species from highly (in comparison with moderately) variable thermal environments have a limited acclimatory plasticity. Due to this variation in the HSR, species from stable and highly variable environments are likely to be more affected by climate change than species from moderately variable environments.
Effects of Alum Adjuvant or a Booster Dose on Immunogenicity during Clinical Trials of Group B Streptococcal Type III Conjugate Vaccines

ABSTRACT Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of group B streptococcal (GBS) capsular polysaccharide (CPS)-protein conjugate vaccines in healthy adults have demonstrated their safety and improved immunogenicity compared with uncoupled CPSs. Two recent trials sought to determine (i) whether adsorption of conjugate vaccine to aluminum hydroxide would improve immunogenicity and (ii) whether the CPS-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) response could be boosted by administration of a second dose. Adsorption of GBS type III CPS-tetanus toxoid (III-TT) conjugate vaccine to alum did not improve the immune response to a 12.5-μg dose in healthy adult recipients. Four weeks after vaccination, the geometric mean antibody concentrations (GMCs) for the 15 recipients of III-TT with or without alum were 3.3 and 3.6 μg/ml, respectively. In the second trial, 36 healthy adults vaccinated previously with GBS III-TT conjugate were given a second 12.5-μg dose 21 months later. At 4 weeks after the second dose, the GMCs of type III CPS-specific IgG were similar to those measured 4 weeks after the primary vaccination, suggesting a lack of a booster response. However, 8 (22%) of the 36 participants who had undetectable III CPS-specific IgG (<0.05 μg/ml) before the first dose of III-TT conjugate exhibited a booster response to the second dose, with a fourfold-greater GMC of type III CPS-specific IgG than after the initial immunization. These results suggest that prior natural exposure to type III GBS or a related antigen may be responsible for the brisk IgG response to CPS noted in most adults after vaccination. However, a second dose of GBS III-TT conjugate vaccine may be required for adults whose initial CPS-specific IgG concentrations are very low and would also restore the initial peak-specific III CPS-IgG in responders to previous vaccination.
A fading algorithm for sequential fault diagnosis [logic IC testing]

Fault diagnosis algorithms for logic designs with only partial scan support remains inadequate so far because of the difficulties in dealing with the sequential fault effect. In this paper, we enhance our previous symbolic techniques to address such a challenge. Along with the baseline enhancement, we also propose a fading scheme that can effectively reduce the potentially huge memory requirement and long running time without sacrificing much accuracy. This fading algorithm incorporates a commonly used concept called 'local fault effect', using symbolic techniques. Experimental results show that sequential fault diagnosis can actually be done effectively and accurately with reasonable CPU time.
Dynamic Envelopes and Robustly , Continuously Collision-free Trajectories RayomandVatcha , Jinglin

In an unpredictable real-world environment, how the objects move is usually not known beforehand. Thus, whether a robot trajectory is safely collision-free or not has to be tested on-line based on sensing as the robot moves in the environment and taking into account robot motion uncertainty. The problem is more challenging if the robot has a high degree of freedom, such as a mobile manipulator. In this talk, we introduce a general on-line approach to test if a given trajectory segment of the robot, which can have high-DOF, is continuously collision-free, and moreover, if the trajectory segment is robustly collision-free, that is, if some deviation of the trajectory within certain “tunnel” of the configuration-time space of the robot is also continuously collision-free. Our method is based on the novel concept of dynamic envelopes [1], which takes advantage of progressive sensing over time without predicting motions of obstacles or assuming specific obstacle motion patterns. Assume that every obstacle in the unpredictable environment can have a linear speed no greater than vmax. Let R(C) be the physical region occupied by the robot at configuration C. To test if the robot at configuration C and future time t is collision-free or not, i.e., if the configuration-time point x = (C, t) is collision-free or not, we define a dynamic envelope E(x, τ) as the closed surface surrounding R(C), such that the minimum distance between R(C) and E(x, τ) is vmax(t-τ), for sensing time τ < t. If E(x, τ) is free of obstacle, x= (C, t) is detected collision-free for sure at sensing time τ. As E(x, τ) is a function of τ, this concept facilitates progressive sensing over a period time to detect if (C, t) is surely collision-free or not before time t. Moreover, if the configuration-time point (C, t) is detected collision-free, we will show that a neighborhood of (C, t) is also collision-free. Based on that, we will further introduce an on-line approach to test if a continuous “tunnel” of trajectories in the robot’s configuration-time space is collision-free or not by checking if a set of discrete configuration-time points are collision-free or not [2]. Thus, through the concept of dynamic envelopes, we can achieve on-line testing of whether a trajectory segment is continuously and robustly collision-free or not. This approach can be used by a realtime motion planner, such as the RAMP [3], to plan continuously and robustly collision-free trajectories in unpredictable environment. If a robot has multiple rigid links, a dynamic envelope can be viewed as the union of dynamic envelopes for individual links, which are usually of simple shapes. Therefore, the detection of whether a dynamic envelope intersects an obstacle can be performed quite efficiently via existing fast collision detection algorithms. However, if a robot consists of deformable links, such as a Workshop on Robot Motion Planning: Online, Reactive, and in Real-time 2012 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, IROS 2012 Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal, October 7-12, 2012
EFFECT OF NOISE ON HEART RATE

Objective: The objective of the study was to observe the effect of short-term noise on heart rate. Material and Methods: One Hundred and seventeen (117) medical students were selected as subjects. Subjects having normal resting heart rate and blood pressure were included in the study. Subjects with hearing defect were excluded from study. Auditory aquity was confirmed by audiometry before the start of experiment for each subject. A noise of a 90 dB intensity and 4000Hz frequency was produced for 10 minutes. Heart rate was recorded before, during and after exposure to noise. Results: Heart rate increased in 104 (88.9%) subjects, with an average rise of 8.938+ 1.037. In 73 subjects (70.19%) it came back to basal level within 02 minutes. Increase in heart rate was observed in more number of males as compared to females; however, the difference was statistically insignificant. Conclsuion: Heart rate increases during exposure to noise.
The utility of an erythroblast scoring system and gender‐independent short tandem repeat (STR) analysis for the detection of aneuploid fetal cells in maternal blood

The aim of this study was to determine whether fetal nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) could be distinguished from maternal cells in peripheral blood using an erythroblast scoring system based on the unique morphological and hemoglobin staining characteristics of this cell type. Presumptive fetal NRBCs were further analyzed for the presence of paternally inherited DNA polymorphisms to prove fetal origin.
Automatic Selection of Live User Generated Content

User generated content (UGC) is a valuable source for improving the coverage of events such as concerts, festivals or sports events. Integrating UGC in existing professional production workflows is particularly challenging in live productions. UGC needs to be checked for quality in this case, and metadata captured by the mobile device and extracted from the content are relevant for filtering the UGC streams that go into a live production system. We propose a system for capturing live audio and video streams on a mobile device, performing automatic metadata extraction in real-time and indexing the metadata for access by a production system. The system receives an audio, video and metadata stream from the mobile device, and creates additional metadata from the ingested audiovisual content. The metadata (e.g., location, quality) are then used to automatically select and rank streams, either selecting a stream to show to a viewer or a list of streams from which a human operator can select. ACM Classification
Philosophical Theories of Probability

Since Locke’s day, the mathematical theory of probability and statistics has greatly developed and has come to be used in almost every branch of science. Hand in hand with these mathematical developments have come developments in philosophical ideas about probability, so that there is now an intricate network of philosophical theories of probability. The aim in this book is to expound these theories and to explain how the various views are related to each other. – After some introductory material in Chapter 1 («Introductory survey of the interpretations : some historical background»), the next seven chapters give systematic expositions of the main philosophical interpretations of probability, which are presented in roughly the historical order in which they were developed. These are the classical (Chap. 2), logical (Chap. 3), subjective (Chap. 4), frequency (Chap. 5), propensity (Chap. 6 : I. general survey; and Chap. 7 : II, development of a particular version) and intersubjective views of probability (Chap. 8). Although some thinkers hold that there is only one correct interpretation of probability, and that the others are mistaken, such is not the view to be found in the present book : in Chap. 8, indeed, arguments are put forward for a pluralist conception of probability according to which there is more than one valid interpretation of probability, and different interpretations are suitable for different areas. This last thesis is illustrated in Chap. 9 («An example of pluralism : differences between the natural and social sciences»), where it is argued that probability has a different meaning in the natural sciences from its meaning in the social sciences. M. -M. V. ��
MEMS Cantilever Based Immunosensors for Biomolecular Recognition

Bio-Micro Electro Mechanical Systems/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems include a wide variety of sensors, actuators, and complex micro/nano devices for biomedical applications. Recent advances in biosensors have shown that sensors based on bending of microfabricated cantilevers have potential advantages over earlier used detection methods. Thus, a simple cantilever beam can be used as a sensor for biomedical, chemical and environmental applications. Here, microfabricated multilayered cantilever beam is exposed to sensing environment. Lower layer being pure structural silicon or polymer and upper layer with antigen/antibody immobilized in it. Obviously, it has an affinity towards its counterpart i.e. antibody/antigen. In the sensing environment, if counter elements exists, they get captured by this sensing beam head, and the cantilever beam deflects. This deflection can be sensed and the presence of counter elements in the environment can be predicted. In this work, a model of a biosensor for sensing antibody/antigen reaction is developed and simulated using HFSS.Simulating a cantilever with improved sensitivity is done using Intellisuit software. The optimal dimensions of the microcantilever beam are selected based on permissible deflection range with the aid of MATLAB. In the model analysis, both weight and surface stress effects on the cantilever are considered. Approximate weights are taken into account because of counter elements, considering their molecular weight and possible number of elements required for sensing. The results obtained in terms of deflection are presented.
The Association Between Hospital Characteristics and Rates of Preventable Complications and Adverse Events

Background/Objectives:This study examined the statistical relationship between hospital ownership and teaching status and hospital rates for potentially preventable adverse events measured using patient safety indicators recently developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Research Design/Measures:A nationally representative sample of hospitals grouped into mutually exclusive combinations of control/ownership, teaching status, and rurality was defined using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample data set for the year 2000. Hospital rates for 5 categories of preventable adverse events were measured in 3 forms: unadjusted, risk-adjusted, and risk-adjusted ratios with smoothing. Multivariable regression analysis was used to measure the statistical significance of the relationship between hospital type and rates for potentially preventable adverse events, with adjustments for differences in hospital bed size and region. Results:This analysis found an inconsistent relationship between categories of hospital type and quality care measured by alternative indicators of potentially preventable conditions. Conclusions:Hospital ownership and teaching status is not a consistent predictor of differences in rates of potentially preventable adverse events, and these characteristics explain little of the observed variation in the rates of these events across hospitals.
Severe mitral regurgitation requiring ECMO therapy treated by interventional valve reconstruction using the MitraClip

Surgical repair is considered the gold standard in severe mitral valve regurgitation. Multi‐organ failure because of acute mitral insufficiency, however, can be challenging to manage as it aggravates to an inoperable state. We report the case of a 59 year old woman who presented with pulmonary oedema because of high grade mitral regurgitation. A recompensation prior to surgery using medical therapy failed and the patient developed a progressive multi‐organ failure including pulmonary, circulatory, and renal failure within days. Symptomatically, our patient could be stabilized employing an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and an intra‐aortic balloon pump. A surgical mitral valve repair was ruled out because of the multi‐organ failure. We performed an interventional valve reconstruction using the MitraClip™ device continuing the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the intra‐aortic balloon counterpulsation therapy during the procedure. After clipping, multi‐organ failure regressed and the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation could be explanted at day two after intervention. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Arabidopsis Co-expression Tool (ACT): web server tools for microarray-based gene expression analysis

The Arabidopsis Co-expression Tool, ACT, ranks the genes across a large microarray dataset according to how closely their expression follows the expression of a query gene. A database stores pre-calculated co-expression results for ∼21 800 genes based on data from over 300 arrays. These results can be corroborated by calculation of co-expression results for user-defined sub-sets of arrays or experiments from the NASC/GARNet array dataset. Clique Finder (CF) identifies groups of genes which are consistently co-expressed with each other across a user-defined co-expression list. The parameters can be altered easily to adjust cluster size and the output examined for optimal inclusion of genes with known biological roles. Alternatively, a Scatter Plot tool displays the correlation coefficients for all genes against two user-selected queries on a scatter plot which can be useful for visual identification of clusters of genes with similar r-values. User-input groups of genes can be highlighted on the scatter plots. Inclusion of genes with known biology in sets of genes identified using CF and Scatter Plot tools allows inferences to be made about the roles of the other genes in the set and both tools can therefore be used to generate short lists of genes for further characterization. ACT is freely available at .
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii CNX1E Reconstitutes Molybdenum Cofactor Biosynthesis in Escherichia coli Mutants

ABSTRACT We have isolated and characterized the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii genes for molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis, namely, CNX1G and CNX1E, and expressed them and their chimeric fusions in Chlamydomonas and Escherichia coli. In all cases, the wild-type phenotype was restored in individual mutants as well as in a CNX1G CNX1E double mutant. Therefore, CrCNX1E is the first eukaryotic protein able to complement an E. coli moeA mutant.
Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in intensive care units in Canada: Results of the Canadian National Intensive Care Unit (CAN-ICU) study (2005-2006).

BACKGROUND Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are important hospital pathogens in Canada and worldwide. OBJECTIVES To genotypically and phenotypically characterize the isolates of MRSA, VRE and ESBL-producing E coli collected from patients in Canadian intensive care units (ICUs) in 2005 and 2006. METHODS Between September 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006, 19 medical centres participating in the Canadian National Intensive Care Unit (CAN-ICU) study collected 4133 unique patient isolates associated with infections in ICUs. Isolates of MRSA underwent mecA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Panton-Valentine leukocidin analysis; they were typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. All isolates of E coli with ceftriaxone minimum inhibitory concentrations greater than or equal to 1 mug/mL were tested for the presence of an ESBL using the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute double-disk diffusion method. Subsequently, PCR and sequence analysis were used to identify bla(SHV), bla(TEM) and bla(CTX-M). Isolates of VRE were tested for the presence of vanA and vanB genes by PCR. RESULTS Of the 4133 ICU isolates collected, MRSA accounted for 4.7% (193 of 4133) of all isolates. MRSA represented 21.9% (193 of 880) of all S aureus collected during the study; 90.7% were health care-associated MRSA strains and 9.3% were community-associated MRSA strains. Resistance rates for the isolates of MRSA were 91.8% to levofloxacin, 89.9% to clarithromycin, 76.1% to clindamycin and 11.7% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; no isolates were resistant to vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline or daptomycin. ESBL-producing E coli accounted for 0.4% (18 of 4133) of all isolates and 3.7% (18 of 493) of E coli isolates. All 18 ESBL-producing E coli were PCR-positive for CTX-M, with bla(CTX-M-15) occurring in 72% (13 of 18) of isolates. All ESBL-producing E coli displayed a multidrug-resistant phenotype (resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and one or more other classes of antimicrobials), with 77.8% of isolates resistant to ciprofloxacin, 55.6% resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 27.8% resistant to gentamicin and 26.3% resistant to doxycycline; all isolates were susceptible to ertapenem, meropenem and tigecycline. VRE accounted for 0.4% (17 of 4133) of all isolates and 6.7% (17 of 255) of enterococci isolates; 88.2% of VRE had the vanA genotype. Isolated VRE that were tested were uniformly susceptible to linezolid, tigecycline and daptomycin. CONCLUSIONS MRSA isolated in Canadian ICUs in 2005 and 2006 was predominately health care-associated (90.7%), ESBL-producing E coli were all CTX-M producers (72% bla(CTX-M-15)) and VRE primarily harboured a vanA genotype (88.2%). MRSA, ESBL-producing E coli and VRE were frequently multidrug resistant.
Control of chaotic oscillations in the process of crystallization via extended method of time-delayed feedback

An algorithm of control of chaotic oscillations in the process of continuous mass crystallization of dibasic lead phosphite via extended method of time-delayed feedback is offered. Domains of values of parameters of time-delayed feedback function were determined for stabilization of unstable fixed points of cycles of periods-2 and -4 of logistic map.
I'm buying, Jack! Fooling around an ambiguous brand

Within consumer research, ambiguity is often regarded as something to be avoided or eliminated. This article argues that ambiguity should be embraced, appreciated and understood as a multifaceted phenomenon found in manifold forms. An empirical study of one of the world's biggest brands, RMS Titanic, reveals that one of ambiguity's most characteristic forms, humour, is everywhere apparent. Titanic brand culture is comedic to the core, absurd though this seems on the surface. Three categories of ambiguous brand amusement are identified in the vast cultural complex surrounding Titanic and the oceanic implications for branding's received wisdom are considered. The article concludes with the contention that ambiguity strengthens rather than weakens unfathomable brands such as Titanic. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.