Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Providing water for the poor - towards optimal water supply infrastructures for informal settlements by using remote sensing data

More than half of the worlds population currently resides in urban areas. In many countries informal settlements are a defining part of the urban scape. Their supply with fresh water is one of the main goals of modern civilizations. To provide an optimal supply system, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary. This paper presents a combined approach to deliver a concept and solution strategy for designing water networks in urban settlements. This approach leverages data of informal settlements provided by remote sensing techniques (visual interpretation of Quickbird satellite imagery) as input to apply methods from mathematical optimization to find optimal supply infrastructures. Hereby, we choose between different central and decentral approaches. For the purpose of illustration, we apply the method on a small slum cluster in Dhaka and found that the optimization provides results for a low cost water supply system. It is also noted that the resulting infrastructure is very sensitive to the input data. The developed optimization model sets a foundation to derive general design recommendations for cities based on different indication numbers which can be calculated from remote sensing data.
Beryllium contamination and exposure monitoring in an inhalation laboratory setting

Beryllium (Be) is used in several forms: pure metal, beryllium oxide, and as an alloy with copper, aluminum, or nickel. Beryllium oxide, beryllium metal, and beryllium alloys are the main forms present in the workplace, with inhalation being the primary route of exposure. Cases of workers with sensitization or chronic beryllium disease challenge the scientific community for a better understanding of Be toxicity. Therefore, a toxicological inhalation study using a murine model was performed in our laboratory in order to identify the toxic effects related to different particle sizes and chemical forms of Be. This article attempts to provide information regarding the relative effectiveness of the environmental monitoring and exposure protection program that was enacted to protect staff (students and researchers) in this controlled animal beryllium inhalation exposure experiment. This includes specific attention to particle migration control through intensive housekeeping and systematic airborne and surface monitoring. Results show that the protective measures applied during this research have been effective. The highest airborne Be concentration in the laboratory was less than one-tenth of the Quebec OEL (occupational exposure limit) of 0.15 μg/m3. Considering the protection factor of 103 of the powered air-purifying respirator used in this research, the average exposure level would be 0.03 × 10— 4 μg/m3, which is extremely low. Moreover, with the exception of one value, all average Be concentrations on surfaces were below the Quebec Standard guideline level of 3 μg/100 cm2 for Be contamination. Finally, all beryllium lymphocyte proliferation tests for the staff were not higher than controls.
Platelet count can predict metabolic syndrome in older women

Abstract Platelet count (PC) has been found to be related to the metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the role of PC on MetS remained unclear. In order to evaluate the relationship between PC and MetS components cross-sectionally and determine the optimal cutoff PCs for predicting the subsequent risk of MetS development with sex specificity, two stages included cross-sectional (stage 1) and prospective (stage 2) cohort study were conducted. Stage 1 involved 10 579 subjects aged ≥60 years, of which 7718 subjects advanced to stage 2 with a mean 3.8 year follow-up were enrolled. The MetS components and PC were determined. The PC cutoffs for higher chances of developing MetS in stage 1 were calculated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. In stage 2, non-MetS subjects were classified into high-PC (HPC) and low-PC (LPC) groups according to the cutoff values from stage 1. We examined the difference of future MetS incidence and calculated the odds ratio (OR) between these two groups. In stage 1, multiple regression showed that age and triglyceride (both sexes) and waist circumstance and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (only women) were independently correlated with PC. There was significant difference in the area under the ROC curve (AUC) only of HPC women, which exceeded the standard curve (AUC = 0.542, p < 0.001), with a cutoff PC of 223 × 103/μl. HPC women had an OR of 1.287 (95% confidence interval: 1.135–1.461) of developing MetS after 3.8 years. The Kaplan–Meier curve demonstrated a higher incidence of MetS development in HPC women. In conclusion, our results suggest that PC was associated with MetS with sex effects. Most of the MetS components were independent factors for increasing PC, and the risk for subsequent development of MetS was noted when PC >223 × 103/μl in elderly women.
Blood Pressure and Risk of Dementia: Results from the Rotterdam Study and the Gothenburg H-70 Study

The association between blood pressure and dementia is debated. Results from population-based studies on blood pressure and dementia are inconclusive, and most are performed in subjects younger than 80 years of age. We examined the relation between blood pressure and dementia and the possible effect modification of this relation by age in a pooled dataset based on two prospective population-based studies. Subjects came from the Rotterdam study (n = 6,668), a longitudinal population-based study among subjects aged 55 years and over, and from the Gothenburg H-70 Study (n = 317), a study on subjects aged 85 years at baseline. Screening and diagnostic procedures for assessment of dementia were similar at baseline and follow-up and comparable between studies. We estimated relative risks of dementia using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, adjusted for age, gender and study location. The average follow-up was 2.1 years. During this period, 196 subjects developed dementia. The risk of dementia decreased with increasing blood pressure level (per 10 mm Hg systolic blood pressure: RR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.88–0.99; per 10 mm Hg diastolic blood pressure: RR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.79–1.00). This association was confined to subjects who used anthypertensive medication. Persons who were demented at baseline had a stronger blood pressure decline during follow-up than those who were non-demented. This study suggests an inverse association between blood pressure and dementia risk in elderly persons on antihypertensive medication. Possibly, they may need higher blood pressure levels to maintain an adequate cerebral perfusion. Alternatively, lower blood pressure may be secondary to brain lesions in preclinical stages of dementia.
Low Loss Hollow-Core Antiresonant Fiber With Nested Elliptical Cladding Elements

We design and investigate the optical properties of a novel hollow-core antiresonant fiber with nested elliptical cladding elements. This new structure shows low confinement loss even with a relatively small core. The lowest confinement loss of this structure is more than two orders of magnitude smaller than its circular-element counterparts. When the size of the cladding elements is properly designed, higher order core modes resonantly couple with the cladding modes effectively, resulting in an extremely high higher order-mode extinction ratio ( >104). This good single mode performance can be achieved for a wide range of cladding element parameters, which would increase the fabrication tolerance. The new fiber also shows low bending loss for a wide range of bend radii. Moreover, dispersion properties of the new structure are also investigated under both unfilled and filled conditions. Numerical results show that antiresonant structures with the same core diameter and strut thickness have similar dispersion curves. The zero dispersion wavelength within the fundamental antiresonant transmission band can be tuned over tens of nanometers by increasing the pressure up to 50 bar when the fiber is filled with argon.
WIN 52035-Dependent Human Rhinovirus 16: Assembly Deficiency Caused by Mutations near the Canyon Surface

ABSTRACT Three drug-dependent mutants of human rhinovirus 16 (HRV16) were characterized by sequence analyses of spontaneous mutant isolates and were genetically reconstructed from a parental cDNA plasmid. These mutants formed plaques in the presence but not in the absence of the selecting antiviral drug, WIN 52035, which binds to the capsid of wild-type virus and inhibits its attachment to the host cell. The drug-dependent phenotype of each mutant was caused by a single amino acid substitution in the VP1 coat protein. The three independent mutations conferring drug dependence are M1103T, T1208A, and V1210A. Single-step growth experiments involving rescue of one of the three mutants (V1210A) by delayed drug addition suggested (i) that the drug dependence lesion is at the stage of virus assembly and (ii) that one or more components of the viral assembly pool decay in the absence of drug. RNA accumulation and infectivity were unaffected by the absence of drug in all three mutants, suggesting that the labile assembly component is coat protein.
Effect of environmental growth conditions on plasmid stability, plasmid copy number, and catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase activity in free and immobilized Escherichia coli cells

In order to better understand the high plasmid stability in immobilized recombinant E. coli cells, the effects of dilution rate on the pTG201 plasmid stability, the copy number, and the catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase (encoded by XyIE gene) production were, at first, studied in free E. coli W3101 continuous cultures in minimal media. It was found that decreasing specific growth rate increased the plasmid copy number and the catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase activity but the stability decreased. In continuous culture with immobilized cells, an increase was shown in plasmid copy number and catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase activity probably due to the distribution of growth in the gel beads. Besides mechanical properties of gel beads which may allow limited cell divisions, the increase in plasmid copy number is involved in enhanced plasmid stability in immobilized cells. In the same way, an experiment conducted in LB medium dealing with competition between pTG201‐free and pTG201‐containing E. coli B cells was described. It was shown that the competition was not more pronounced in gel bead compared to a free system. The effects of nutritional limitations on pTG201 plasmid stability and catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase activity during chemostat cultivations in free and immobilized E. coli B cells were also investigated. It was found that immobilization of cells increased the stability of pTG201 even under glucose, nitrogen, or phosphate limited cultures. However in the case of magnesium depleted culture, pTG201 was shown to be relatively instable and a decrease in viable cell number during the immobilized continuous culture was observed. By contrast to the free system, the catechol 2,3‐dioxygenase activity increased in immobilized cells under all culture conditions used.
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Selective Inhibition of T-Cell Activation with Fusion Protein CTLA 4 Ig

From the Center for Rheumatology, Albany, N.Y. (J.M.K.); the Department of Rheumatology, Universitaire Ziekenhuizen Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (R.W.); Free University of Brussels, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ambroise Paré, Mons, Belgium (M.L.); Centro de Enfermedades Reumáticas, Quilmes, Argentina (E.D.G.); the Department of Rheumatology, Schlosspark-Klinik, Berlin, Germany (R.A.); the Department of Rheumatology, Erasme University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium (S.S.); the University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alta. , Canada (A.R.); Rene Descartes University, Hospital Cochin Assistance Publique — Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris (M.D.); the Department of Rheumatology, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, United Kingdom (P.E.); Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Princeton, N.J. (I.F.N., G.R.W., J.-C.B., D.T.H.); and the Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham (L.W.M.). Address reprint requests to Dr. Kremer at the Center for Rheumatology, 1367 Washington Ave., Suite 1, Albany, NY 12206, or at jkremer@joint-docs.com.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum AnkA binds to granulocyte DNA and nuclear proteins

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The bacterium infects, survives, propagates in, and alters neutrophil phenotype, indicating unique survival mechanisms. AnkA is the only known A. phagocytophilum component that gains access beyond neutrophil vacuoles and is transported to the infected host cell nucleus. The ability of native and recombinant AnkA to bind DNA and nuclear proteins from host HL‐60 cells was assessed by the use of immunoprecipitation after cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum (cis‐DDP) DNA‐protein crosslinking, by probing uninfected HL‐60 cell nuclear lysates for AnkA binding, and by recovery and sequence analysis of immunoprecipitated DNA. AnkA binds HL‐60 cell DNA as well as nuclear proteins of approximately 86, 53 and 25 kDa, whereas recombinant A. phagocytophilum Msp2 or control proteins do not. DNA immunoprecipitation reveals AnkA binding to a variety of target genes in the human genome, including genes that encode proteins with ATPase, tyrosine phosphatase and NADH dehydrogenase‐like functions. These data indicate that AnkA could exert some effect on cells through binding to protein:DNA complexes in neutrophil nuclei. Whether AnkA binding leads to neutrophil functional alterations, and how such alterations might occur will depend upon definitive identification of binding partners and associated metabolic and biochemical pathways.
Three-year survival and functional outcome of patients with idiopathic adult hydrocephalus syndrome

Article abstract The functional outcome of 42 patients with idiopathic adult hydrocephalus syndrome (IAHS) was followed over a 3-year period after shunting. Survival curves were compared with those of age-matched healthy elderly subjects and patients with first-ever ischemic stroke. Twenty-seven patients with IAHS were improved 3 months after the operation and 11 remained improved at the 3-year follow-up. The case fatality in patients with stroke and those with IAHS was similar (32% versus 28%), but the relative risk of death among IAHS patients compared to a general elderly population was 3.3.
Lumped parametric model for an electrostatic induction micromotor using GA

In this work we introduce a novel lumped parametric equivalent circuit, that couples electromechanical parameters, and describes the behavioral model of a linear electrostatic induction micromotor. We use genetic algorithms (GA) for tuning the parameters of the proposed model. Our model is validated by comparison against analytical solution. The comparison results demonstrate that the fitting error between our proposed equivalent circuit and the analytical solution -calculated applying the field analytical Maxwell's equations- for the interface potential and force density vs. slip functions are neglected.
Modelling the effect of individual strategic behaviour on community-level outcomes of conservation interventions

SUMMARY Many conservation interventions seek to change resource users' behaviour through the creation and enforcement of rules. Their success depends on changing the incentives of potential rule-breakers and those who monitor and enforce compliance. Project implementers may use payments to encourage monitoring and sanctions to deter rule breaking but there has been little research to examine the effectiveness of such approaches in promoting compliance with conservation rules. The effects of payments and sanctions on poaching in a hypothetical community-based conservation project were investigated using an individual-based model incorporating individual heterogeneity and a realistic range of behaviours. Individuals could choose to poach, monitor others' behaviour, or ‘cheat’ (claim a fee without actually monitoring behaviour). They could also invest in avoidance to reduce their probability of being detected breaking rules. Community-level outcomes emerged from individuals’ choices and strategic interactions. The model demonstrates that payments and sanctions can interact strongly with one another and that their effects depend on the economic context in which they are applied. Sanctions were more reliable than payments in reducing poaching and, in some circumstances, payments produced perverse effects. It is thus important to consider individual-level heterogeneity and strategic decision-making when designing interventions aimed at changing human behaviour.
An Inverse Source Problem for Maxwell's Equations in Magnetoencephalography

Consider an inverse source problem for Maxwell's equations which arises in determining locations of epileptic foci in the living human brain. The human brain is modeled as a heterogeneous medium, where the electric permittivity, magnetic permeability, and conductivity may all be functions. A current dipole is used to model the epilepsy. The inverse source problem in this context is to determine the current dipole from boundary measurements of the fields. In this paper, a new computational method is introduced for solving the inverse problem. The method is based on a low-frequency asymptotic analysis of Maxwell's equations. Our method is constructive and has good convergence properties. A crucial step of the method is to construct special test functions. Uniqueness and stability results for the inverse problem are also established. The method and results are expected to find applications particularly in magnetoencephalography.
Danusertib, an aurora kinase inhibitor

Introduction: Drugs that interfere with the normal progression of mitosis belong to the most successful cytotoxic agents currently used for anticancer treatment. Aurora kinases are serine/threonine kinases that function as key regulators of mitosis and are frequently overexpressed in human cancers. The use of several small molecule aurora kinase inhibitors as potential anticancer therapeutic is being investigated. Danusertib (formerly PHA-739358) is a small ATP competitive molecule that inhibits aurora A, B and C kinases. Interestingly, danusertib also inhibits several receptor tyrosine kinases such as Abl, Ret, FGFR-1 and TrkA. These tyrosine kinases are involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of malignancies and the observed multi-target inhibition may increase the antitumor activity resulting in extending the indication. Danusertib was one of the first aurora kinase inhibitors to enter the clinic and has been studied in Phase I and II trials. Areas covered: This review provides an updated summary of preclinical and clinical experience with danusertib up to July 2011. Expert opinion: Future studies with danusertib should focus on the possibility of combining this agent with other targeted anticancer agents, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. As a single agent, danusertib may show more promise in the treatment of leukemias than in solid tumors.
Regional Strain Determination and Myocardial Infarction Detection by Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography with Varied Temporal Resolution

Three‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is a promising method for strain determination; however, there are temporal resolution concerns. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of 3DE on longitudinal and circumferential strain (LS, CS) determination and infarction detection under variable frame rates (FR) and “heart rates” (stroke rates [SR]) conditions.
An algorithm of Bayesian Networks parameters learning based on confidence interval

This paper focuses on an interval parameter estimation of Bayesian Networks (BNs). Contrast to the point estimation used in most parameter learning algorithms, interval estimation algorithm (IEA) estimates the output nodes parameter of BNs with an interval estimation based on confidence level, it can raise BNs inference accuracy slightly as the prior knowledge is absence.
An Improved Quantum Ant Colony Optimization Algorithm for Solving Complex Function Problems

In order to improve the slow convergence speed and avoid falling into the local optimum in ant colony optimization algorithm, an improved quantum ant colony optimization (IMAQACO) algorithm based on combing quantum evolutionary algorithm with ant colony optimization algorithm is proposed for solving complex function problems in this paper. In the IMAQACO algorithm, the quantum state vectors are used to represent the pheromone, the adaptively dynamical updating strategy is used to control pheromone evaporation factor, the quantum rotation gate is used to realize the ant movement and change the convergence tend of quantum probability amplitude, quantum non-gate is used to realize ant location variation, so the IMAQACO algorithm has better global search ability and population diversity than ACO algorithm. In order to test the optimization performance of IMAQACO algorithm, several benchmark functions are selected in here. The tested results indicate that the IMAQACO can effectively improve the convergence speed and avoid falling into the local optimum, and has a stronger global optimization ability and higher convergence speed in solving complex function problems.
Site-based mapping for parallel proxy servers with fewer TCP connections

There are many mapping schemes proposed in previous research on parallel proxy servers. The operations of these schemes are mainly URL-based, and therefore cannot fully benefit from the new persistent connection feature of HTTP/1.1. We propose a site-based mapping scheme that forwards all requests targeting on the same Web site to the same proxy server. The scheme then allows the proxy to use a single persistent connection to serve many client requests. The major advantage of the scheme is the reduction in the number of connection establishments. This reduction can save network bandwidth and reduce the user-experienced latency. Simulation results show that the proposed site-based scheme reduces 40%-70% of the connection setups and teardowns when compared to a traditional URL-based mapping scheme.
Control system implementation and analysis for omniwheel vehicle

In this paper, we implement an embedded control system to a four-wheel omniwheel vehicle. PID control is used to stabilize the velocity of each wheel so the vehicle can move steadily. Color markers are used as navigation waypoints and to correct any deviation on the vehicle movement. The implemented system is capable to reduce the vehicle's movement deviation when move straight from one marker to another marker. The color markers can be used with various distance from each other.