Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microencapsulation of natural food colourants

Carotenoids, anthocyanins, and chlorophylls are used as natural food colourants in the food industry. Microencapsulation is a technology that is used for the protection, stabilization, and the slow release of core materials. There are several techniques and wall materials that are available for microencapsulation of natural food colourants to overcome their instability, solubility, and handling problems. The objective of this paper is to describe techniques for preparation of microcapsulated food colourants and to provide a literature review of utilizable wall materials for natural colourants. Additionally, process conditions for given microencapsulation techniques are also summarized.
New Approach to Polyglot Synthesis: How to Speak any Language with Anyone's Voice

In this paper we present a new method to synthesize multiple languages with the voice of any arbitrary speaker. We call this method “HMM-based speaker-adaptable polyglot synthesis”. The idea consists in mixing data from several speakers in different languages to create a speakerindependent multilingual acoustic model. By means of MLLR, we can adapt this model to the voice of any given speaker. With the adapted model, it is possible to synthesize speech in any of the languages included in the training corpus with the voice of the target speaker, regardless of the language spoken by that speaker. When the language to be synthesized and the language of the target speaker are different, the performance of our method is better than that of other approaches based on monolingual models and phone mapping. Languages with no available speech resources can also be synthesized with a polyglot synthesizer by means of phone mapping. In this case, the performance of a polyglot synthesizer is better than that of any other monolingual synthesizers based on languages which were used to train the polyglot one.
Intrauterine growth retardation and postnatal growth failure associated with deletion of the insulin-like growth factor I gene.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) mediates the majority of the growth-promoting effects of growth hormone (GH) after birth.1 In the prenatal period, GH does not appear to have a major influence on fetal growth, whereas IGF-I does. Infants with congenital GH deficiency and defects in the GH-receptor gene have only mild retardation of growth at birth,2–4 whereas transgenic mice with a homozygous defect of the IGF-I gene (IGF-I knockout mice) have profound embryonic and postnatal growth retardation.5–7 Although there is no direct evidence that IGF-I has a prominent role in human fetal growth, fetal tissues express IGF-I from .
Context in Selection of Men and Women in Hiring Decisions: Gender Composition of the Applicant Pool

The hypothesis that the sex composition of an applicant pool affects the hiring probabilities of individual job applicants was tested using gender-distinctive information on accepted and rejected job applicants in The Netherlands. The evidence supports this hypothesis, although the effect sizes are moderate. Both men and women have a lower probability of being hired when the applicant pool contains fewer applicants from their own sex.
Magnetic Fields around the Torso: Production by Electrical Activity of the Human Heart

A search was made outside the torso for fluctuating magnetic fields produced by the heart. Detector and subject were housed in a highly shielded enclosure. Magnetic signals with amplitudes of 10-8 to 10-7 gauss were detected synchronously with the electrocardiogram, confirming previous reports. A magnetocardiographic chest map, consisting of the magnetic field plotted against time at various spatial positions, shows genteral QRS and T-wave structure, as in the electrocardiogram; this structure varies with spatial position.
Transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defects with the Amplatzer occluder in adult patients.

BACKGROUND Secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart disease diagnosed in adulthood. Data regarding the use of the percutaneous occluder device in adult populations are very limited and few studies including the use of the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO) device in such populations are available. The aim of this study was to evaluAte the immediate and mid-term outcomes of the percutaneous ASD closure with the ASO device in an adult population. METHODS Between May 1999 and December 2000, 21 adult patients (8 males, 13 females) with a mean age of 44.6 +/- 15.1 years were enrolled for an attempt at ASD closure with the ASO device. RESULTS Only 18 of the 21 patients underwent implantation of the ASO device, whereas the other 3 patients were submitted to cardiac surgery. The ASO device was successfully implanted in 17 patients (94.4%). The mean maximal ASD transesophageal echocardiography diameter was 14.4 +/- 7.2 mm (range 4-23 mm). The mean stretched defect diameter measured 19.5 +/- 8.4 mm (range 8-34 mm) and the ASO implanted stalk size was 19.8 +/- 8.2 mm (range 8-34 mm). In 2 (11.1%) of the 18 patients a percutaneous transcatheter coronary angioplasty was successfully performed before implantation of the ASO device because of coronary artery disease. At 6 months of follow-up, transesophageal echo examination showed that the device was correctly positioned in all cases. CONCLUSIONS In adults, transcatheter closure of ASDs with the ASO device is a safe and effective alternative to surgical closure. The immediate and mid-term outcomes are excellent. However, a combined procedure may be necessary.
Sigma-point Kalman filter application on estimating battery SOC

For the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) not easy to adjust, difficult to apply on system of updating step time, and its linearization process may generate error of approximation, in recent year, some new methods about expansion Kalman filter to nonlinear system have been proposed. This paper present a new method that Sigma-point Kalman filter estimate SOC through the use of weighted statistical linear regression (WSLR) method for solving linear equations. So this method compared with the traditional EKF method can expect to receive a smaller linearization error. Design a test and apply this method on estimate battery SOC.
A toxicity index for comparison of side effects among different drugs.

This report describes the development of a morbidity toxicity index and a mortality toxicity index for comparing the overall toxicity of different drugs. The task required the step-by-step procedure of 1) development of techniques for valid estimation of the numerator, i.e., the number of particular toxic events with a specific drug, 2) development of a denominator, i.e., a valid estimate of the years of exposure to a specific drug, 3) establishment of appropriate weights for different side effects, 4) deciding upon a particular index structure using weights and severity, 5) elaborating on and refining the final index, and 6) use of statistical techniques for adjustment and for comparison among drugs. In addition to describing the proposed structure and design of the morbidity and mortality toxicity indexes, we outline our preliminary results in comparing morbidity from major classes of antirheumatic drugs with the use of these indexes, and we discuss the potential use of the indexes by others who are studying drug toxicities
How to avoid long-term sickness absence: the advice from women with personal experience.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe women's perceptions of what can be done to avoid extended sickness absence with following suffering and passivity. METHODS Qualitative interviews were conducted with 82 women who had been on sickness absence (60 days or more) or were receiving disability pensions. The data were analysed using phenomenological methods. RESULTS To be able to get back to work was found to be equivalent to breaking away from the prospect of isolation and loneliness. To support this, four parties were identified along with suggestions for their actions: the healthcare professionals, the woman who is on sick leave herself, the employer, and the social insurance official. Most interestingly, the family and close relatives were almost not mentioned at all. The results are connected to a theoretical model of distress in terms of enduring and suffering. CONCLUSIONS It is necessary to look more carefully at how women on sickness absence use the resources in the world (like their families) to get well. More generally, the task is to understand why society deals insufficiently with women who need time off and cannot keep up with their duties because of illness.
Natural history of primary progressive multiple sclerosis

The relationship of primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) to relapsing -remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) remains unclear. Natural history data from a population-based cohort of patients with PPMS followed for approximately 25 years demonstrate remarkable similarities in the progressive phases of PPMS and SPMS. Immunogenetic and magnetic resonance imaging studies in large numbers of patients also fail to differentiate between the two MS categories. PPMS thus resembles SPMS without the relapses, although the two forms do differ with respect to sex ratio. A n unfavourable outcome in PPMS is predicted by rapid early progression of disability and involvement of three or more systems. Natural history studies provide information on likely long-term outcomes and can be used in the design and interpretation of clinical trials in PPMS. The evidence that PPMS is distinct remains weak.
Fundamental processes leading to attitude change : Implications for cancer prevention communications

Developing appropriate intervention strategies for cancer-related communications depends on understanding the basic mechanisms underlying persuasion. By examining the psychological processes through which attitudes change, cancer researchers can understand and predict further changes in behavior and maximize the chances of designing effective research and interventions. In the present article, we group the main persuasion processes into meaningful categories to provide a useful guide to organize the reviewed findings. One of the most common findings on cancer communication has been that matching persuasive messages to people’s characteristics increases persuasion. The present review provides a detailed examination of the different psychological mechanisms through with such persuasive matching effects and exceptions might occur.
Atrial natriuretic peptide down-regulates neutrophil recruitment on inflamed endothelium by reducing cell deformability and resistance to detachment force.

2 BACKGROUND: In Japan, Recombinant atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is administered in 3 patients with acute heart failure in Japan to improve renal function and hemodynamics, but its anti-inflammatory effect on activated leukocytes may also contribute to its therapeutic efficacy OBJECTIVE: Examine unconventional role of ANP in neutrophil adhesion to inflamed endothelium. METHODS: Human neutrophils were perfused over endothelial monolayers in a microfluidic 10 lab-chip assay. Cell rheology was assessed by micropipette aspiration to assess changes in 11 cortical tension and viscosity. Fluorescence microscopy was applied to measure adhesive contact 12 area and β 2 -integrin focal bond formation. 13 14 RESULTS: ANP inhibited neutrophil rolling and firm adhesion without influencing the 15 upregulation of cellular adhesion molecules on endothelium or the regulation of high affinity 16 CD18 and shedding of L-selectin during neutrophil activation. Conversion Exposed to fluid 17 shear, to shear resistant integrin mediated arrest was disrupted with ANP treatment, which 18 elicited formation of long tethers and diminished cell spreading and contact. This correlated with 19 an ~40% increase in neutrophil viscosity and a reduction in the adhesive footprint. CONCLUSIONS: A decrease in cell deformation and PMN neutrophil flattening with ANP 22 results in fewer integrin bond clusters, which translates to higher tensile forces and impaired 23 adhesion strengthening and cell detachment. prior to measurement. ANP did not alter the up-regulation of β 2 -integrin or 21 the shedding of L-selectin when compared to untreated control (n=3). PMN F-actin was measured using Phalloidin with and without IL-8 stimulation after simultaneous fixing and 23 permeabilization. Data shows replicates for n=3 donors with no significant effect of ANP 24 observed.
The IBM power edge of Network™ processor: A wire-speed system-on-a-chip with 16 Power™ cores / 64 threads and optimized HW acceleration

Presents a collection of slides covering the following topics: Network processor; IBM power edge; wire-speed system-on-a-chip; interconnect architecture; PowerPC processing element architecture; DDR3 DRAM controller; accelerator architecture; accelerator interface; compression/decompression; crypto data mover; XML engines; packet processor architecture; and PCI-Express.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor – Regulated Gene Expression in Endothelial Cells KDR-Mediated Induction of Egr 3 and the Related Nuclear Receptors

Objective—The program of gene expression regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to identify VEGF-regulated genes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Methods and Results—VEGF-regulated gene expression was analyzed by screening Affymetrix oligonucleotide arrays and quantitative, real-time, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. The most strongly induced genes were the NR4A nuclear receptor family members Nur77, Nurr1, and Nor1 and the zinc-finger transcription factor Egr3. VEGF also induced rapid expression of DSCR1, cyclooxygenase-2, tissue factor, stanniocalcin-1, the serine/threonine kinase Cot, and EHD3. VEGF-induced NR4A family and Egr3 expression was blocked by a KDR inhibitor, and prostaglandin F1 and basic fibroblast growth factor weakly increased expression of these genes. Induction of NR4A genes was mediated via intracellular Ca , protein kinase C– and calcineurin-dependent pathways. VEGF increased protein expression of Nurr1 and Nur77 and decreased Nur77 phosphorylation at the negative regulatory site serine 351. Conclusions—VEGF induces expression of NR4A nuclear receptors and Egr3 via KDR and KDR-mediated signaling mechanisms. The genes identified here are novel candidates as key early mediators of VEGF-induced endothelial functions. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2003;23:●●●-●●●.)
Host Preference of the Arbovirus Vector Culex erraticus (Diptera: Culicidae) at Sonso Lake, Cauca Valley Department, Colombia

ABSTRACT Culex erraticus (Dyar & Knab) is a competent vector of Eastern equine encephalitis virus and subtype IC Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, and both St. Louis encephalitis virus and West Nile virus have been isolated from field-collected specimens. Previous bloodmeal analysis studies have shown this species to be a generalist, feeding on a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. This behavior can bridge arboviral transmission across different vertebrate groups. Our study examined the host preference of Cx. erraticus at Sonso Lake in Colombia. From July to August 2008, blood-engorged mosquitoes were collected from resting boxes, while vertebrate abundance was determined to calculate host preference. Based on mitochondrial DNA analysis of bloodmeals, birds were the predominant hosts (57.6%), followed by mammals (30.8%), and reptiles (6.7%); 9.5% of the bloodmeals were mixed. The most commonly fed upon species were: limpkin, black-crowned nightheron, striated heron, human, and capybara. Forage ratios showed the least bittern, limpkin, Cocoi heron, striated heron, capybara, and black-crowned night heron were preferred hosts across all vertebrates. Of the available avifauna, the least bittern, limpkin, striated heron, Cocoi heron, and black-crowned night heron were preferred, whereas the bare faced ibis, great egret, snowy egret, and cattle egret were under-used. This study shows that while Cx. erraticus is an opportunistic feeder, using diverse vertebrate hosts in the environment, certain avian species are targeted preferentially for bloodmeals.
A dynamic horizon distributed predictive control approach for temperature regulation in multi-zone buildings

This paper proposes a distributed predictive control strategy for building temperature regulation. The originality of the approach consists of using a dynamic prediction horizon MPC, allowing a more effective disturbances rejection. Then this idea is extended, for multizone temperature control in buildings, in a distributed manner, where each controller solves a local optimization problem using information about the expected behavior of the other local regulators. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is showed through different simulations.
Autobiographical memory functions in young Japanese men and women

The present study examined whether the three major functions of autobiographical memory observed in Western societies (i.e., directing-behaviour, social-bonding and self-continuity) also exist in an East Asian society. Two self-report measures were used to assess the autobiographical memory functions of Japanese men and women. Japanese young adults (N = 451, ages 17–28 years) first completed the original Thinking About Life Experiences (TALE) Questionnaire. They subsequently received three TALE items that represented memory functions and attempted to recall a specific instance of memory recall for each item. Confirmatory factor analyses on the TALE showed that the three functions were replicated in the current sample. However, Japanese participants reported lower levels of all three functions than American participants in a previous study. We also explored whether there was an effect of gender in this Japanese sample. Women reported higher levels of the self-continuity and social-bonding functions than men. Finally, participants recalled more specific instances of memory recall for the TALE items that had received higher ratings on the TALE, suggesting that the findings on the first measure were supported by the second measure. Results are discussed in relation to the functional approach to autobiographical memory in a cross-cultural context.
Striatal and Pallidal Activation during Reward Modulated Movement Using a Translational Paradigm

Abstract Human neuroimaging studies of reward processing typically involve tasks that engage decision-making processes in the dorsal striatum or focus upon the ventral striatum’s response to feedback expectancy. These studies are often compared to the animal literature; however, some animal studies include both feedback and nonfeedback events that activate the dorsal striatum during feedback expectancy. Differences in task parameters, movement complexity, and motoric effort to attain rewards may partly explain ventral and dorsal striatal response differences across species. We, therefore, used a target capture task during functional neuroimaging that was inspired by a study of single cell modulation in the internal globus pallidus during reward-cued, rotational arm movements in nonhuman primates. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, participants used a fiberoptic joystick to make a rotational response to an instruction stimulus that indicated both a target location for a capture movement and whether or not the trial would end with feedback indicating either a small financial gain or a neutral outcome. Portions of the dorsal striatum and pallidum demonstrated greater neural activation to visual cues predicting potential gains relative to cues with no associated outcome. Furthermore, both striatal and pallidal regions displayed a greater response to financial gains relative to neutral outcomes. This reward-dependent modulation of dorsal striatal and pallidal activation in a target-capture task is consistent with findings from reward studies in animals, supporting the use of motorically complex tasks as translational paradigms to investigate the neural substrates of reward expectancy and outcome in humans. (JINS, 2015, 21, 399–411)
Production of a carotenoid-rich product by alginate entrapment and fluid-bed drying of Dunaliella salina

A new carotenoid-rich product was formed by entrapment of Duna- liella salina in calcium alginate beads of di†erent alginate concentrations, fol- lowed by drying in a Nuid-bed dryer. The drying process yielded b-carotene recoveries of between 79 and 89% and produced a change in the 9-cis/all-trans ratio of b-carotene isomers. The carotenoid stability of the product was depen- dant on both the storage conditions and alginate content (range 3E3E7E 3g litre~1) of the beads. In the presence of light and oxygen total carotenoid degraded following a "rst order kinetic model with degradation constants between 0E016 and 0E039 days~1, with the lowest degradation occurring with the lowest alginate concentration. Product stored in the dark and Nushed with nitro- gen produced "rst-order degradation constants of 0 E012 and 0E020 days~1 for the two higher alginate concentrations; that with the lowest alginate content showed no noticeable degradation after 58 days storage. During storage, the 9-cis isomer was signi"cantly more unstable showing a relative loss under all conditions, degrading almost completely when stored in the presence of light and oxygen and reaching an equilibrium ratio with the all-trans isomer when stored in the dark and Nushed with nitrogen. 1998 SCI. (
Solvable groups with polynomial Dehn functions

Given a finitely presented group H, finitely generated subgroup B of H, and a monomorphism ˆ : B ! H, we obtain an upper bound of the Dehn function of the corresponding HNN-extension G = hH;t j t i1 Bt = ˆ(B)i in terms of the Dehn function of H and the distortion of B in G. Using such a bound, we construct first examples of non-polycyclic solvable groups with polynomial Dehn functions. The constructed groups are metabelian and contain the solvable Baumslag-Solitar groups. In particular, this answers a question posed by Birget, Ol'shanskii, Rips, and Sapir.