Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Straightforward DOPE (Double Labeling of Oligonucleotide Probes)-FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) Method for Simultaneous Multicolor Detection of Six Microbial Populations

ABSTRACT Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes is an essential tool for the cultivation-independent identification of microbes within environmental and clinical samples. However, one of the major constraints of conventional FISH is the very limited number of different target organisms that can be detected simultaneously with standard epifluorescence or confocal laser scanning microscopy. Recently, this limitation has been overcome via an elegant approach termed combinatorial labeling and spectral imaging FISH (CLASI-FISH) (23). This technique, however, suffers compared to conventional FISH from an inherent loss in sensitivity and potential probe binding biases caused by the competition of two differentially labeled oligonucleotide probes for the same target site. Here we demonstrate that the application of multicolored, double-labeled oligonucleotide probes enables the simultaneous detection of up to six microbial target populations in a straightforward and robust manner with higher sensitivity and less bias. Thus, this newly developed technique should be an attractive option for all researchers interested in applying conventional FISH methods for the study of microbial communities.
Model-based Robust Fault Diagnosis for Satellite Control Systems Using Learning and Sliding Mode Approaches

In this paper, our recent work on robust model-based fault diagnosis (FD) for several satellite control systems using learning and sliding mode approaches are summarized. Firstly, a variety of nonlinear mathematical models for these satellite control systems are described and analyzed for the purpose of fault diagnosis. These satellite control systems are classified into two classes of nonlinear dynamical systems. Then, several fault diagnostic observers using sliding mode and learning approaches are presented. Sliding mode with time-varying switching gains, second order sliding mode, and high order sliding mode differentiators are respectively used in the proposed diagnostic observers to deal with modeling uncertainties. Neural model-based and iterative learning algorithms-based online learning estimators are respectively used in the diagnostic observers for the purpose of isolating and estimating faults. Finally, conclusions and future work on the health monitoring and fault diagnosis for satellite control systems are provided.
Low density parity check irreducible Goppa codes

In this paper, whose earlier version was presented at SAMSA 05 conference, we present some of the results obtained in the on-going research on low density parity check (LDPC) irreducible Goppa codes. The objective of the research is to find irreducible Goppa codes with sparse parity check matrices to which LDPC decoding can be applied. If such codes are found then they would permit efficient encoding and decoding algorithms. We use two methods to come up with a sparse parity check matrix. The first method involves changing the basis of the splitting field of the Goppa polynomial. In the other method, we build the parity check matrix using low weight codewords in the dual code of the Goppa code.
Analytical Approximations for Nonlinear Diffusion Time in Multiscale Edge Enhancement

The image simplification, noise elimination and edge enhancement steps are all fundamental to segmentation tasks. These processing techniques usually require the tuning of their control parameters; a procedure known to be incompatible with automatic segmentation. The aim of this paper is to adopt a procedure, based on nonlinear diffusion, that is capable of auto tuning by means of analytical expressions that relate diffusion times to the gradient module. The numerical method and experimental results are shown in 1D, 2D and 3D.
Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus clinical manifestations

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder with heterogeneous clinical manifestations and target tissue damage. Currently, several genes have been associated with SLE susceptibility, including vitamin D receptor (VDR), which is a mediator of immune responses through the action of vitamin D. Polymorphisms in the VDR gene can impair the vitamin D (D3) function role, and since SLE patients show deficient D3 blood levels, it leads to a possible connection to the disease’s onset. In our study we searched for an association between VDR polymorphisms and risk of developing SLE, as well as the disease’s clinical manifestations. We enrolled 158 SLE patients and 190 Southeast Brazilian healthy controls, genotyped for five Tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), covering most of the VDR gene region. We found an association between VDR SNPs and SLE for the following clinical manifestations: rs11168268 and cutaneous alterations (p = 0.036), rs3890733 (p = 0.003) rs3890733 and arthritis (p = 0.001), rs2248098 and immunological alterations (p = 0.040), rs4760648 and antibody anti-dsDNA (p = 0.036). No association was reported between VDR polymorphisms and SLE susceptibility.
Synthetic Carriers for Vascular Delivery of Protein Therapeutics

Due to high potency and specificity of their activities, protein drugs are rapidly gaining clinical use. ExaJnples of clinically exploited proteins include anticoagulants and fibrinolytic plasminogen activators (Harker et ai., 1997; Wieland et aL, 2003). , interferons and cytokines (Burke, 1999; Younes and Amsden, 2002; Banles\ 2003), proteases and their inhibitors, such as serpins (Schimmoller et at., 2002; Rosenblum and Kozarich, 2003; Barnes and Hansel, 2004), growth factors and hormones (Brenler et al., 1997; Rosier el a/., 1998; Chen and Mooney, 2003; Peppas et aI., 2004), enzylnes (e.g. for replacement therapies) (Layer et al., 2001; Meikle and Hopwood, 2003; Mignani and Cagnoli, 2004), as well as an extensive and rapidly growing list of antibodies, antibody fragtnents and their conjugates with toxins and other biologically active agents (Fosler, 1996; Muzykantov, 200 I; Thorpe, 2004). The rate of FDA approvals of proteins for therapeutic applications has accelerated with exponential speed in the past decade. Large-scale synthesis of a great variety of recombinant therapeutic proteins hac; beconle available in recent years. Nevertheless, protein drugs are typically expensive (e.g. the cost of a recoillbinant plasminogen activator for fibrinolytic therapy is -US$l 000). Therefore, both economic and biological reasons (e.g. ilnlTIUne
Prediction of Abacavir Resistance from Genotypic Data: Impact of Zidovudine and Lamivudine Resistance In Vitro and In Vivo

ABSTRACT Abacavir is frequently used in antiretroviral combination therapies as a potent nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). Four mutations are selected for by abacavir in vitro and in vivo: K65R, L74V, Y115F, and M184V. Abacavir resistance has also been observed in NRTI multidrug-resistant samples. Furthermore, abacavir resistance has been described in the context of zidovudine resistance. To evaluate the genetic basis of abacavir resistance, the viral genotype and phenotypic resistance were analyzed for 307 patient samples. Low- and high-level resistances were defined as 2.5- to 5.5-fold- and >5.5-fold-reduced susceptibility, respectively. If all samples with abacavir-selected and NRTI multidrug resistance-associated mutations were scored as resistant, 27.6% of the samples were misclassified, mainly due to samples falsely scored as susceptible. Therefore, the relative frequencies of other mutations were evaluated. Mutations at codons 44 and 118 were rarely detected in abacavir-susceptible samples but were overrepresented in resistant samples. Site-directed mutagenesis of E44D, V118I, and M184V resulted in low-level resistance for the double mutant 44/184 and the triple mutant. Low-level abacavir resistance was also detected for a viral clone carrying zidovudine mutations only. Additional insertion of M184V into the zidovudine background doubled the resistance, whereas 44/118 did not lead to a further increase. Incorporating combinations of zidovudine mutations and M184V into the scoring system markedly reduced the number of misclassified samples, whereas 44/118 did not improve the prediction. In conclusion, the combination of M184V with zidovudine mutations gives rise to high-level abacavir resistance, which may be clinically relevant. Thus, options for useful sequential combinations of NRTI are limited.
Patrones de alimentación y evaluación nutricional en niños deshabilitados

RESUMEN: Existen niños con afecciones neurológicas de diversos tipos que, hasta el momento, de acuerdo con los diagnósticos realizados no requieren un tratamiento dietético como base terapéutica, pero sí se les debe garantizar un estado nutricional óptimo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue elaborar patrones de alimentación para niños y niñas deshabilitados y evaluar su repercusión en el estado nutricional. Esta evaluación se realizó mediante la determinación del peso y de la longitud supina o talla. El índice utilizado y los puntos de corte para la evaluación fueron: peso bajo: percentil < 10 ; normal: entre percentil 10 y 90; peso excesivo: percentil >90. En todos los niños se evaluó como primer indicador el peso para la edad y en los que fue posible, además, el peso para la talla. En la reevaluación se añadió el indicador de circunferencia braquial. El 37,8 % de los niños fue clasificado como de peso bajo, por lo que se requirieron patrones de alimentación adecuados. Los niños de 7 a 12 años presentaron las mayores afectaciones seguidos por los de 3 a 7 años. El 19 % de ellos presentaba anemia leve o moderada y, por tanto, requerían del suministro de alimentos ricos en hierro, y del suplemento medicamentoso. Se elab oraron 5 patrones dietéticos de 780, 1 020, 1 200, 1 500 y 1 680 kcal/día. Estos patrones aportaban 60 % de las recomendaciones de ingesta de energía para estos niños, que es lo que la institución debe garantizar. En la reevaluación de los casos se encontró una mejoría de su estado nutricional con cambios en los canales de peso/edad.
Opinion containment in social networks over issue sequences

In this paper, opinion containment in social networks is studied over issue sequences. The social network is described by the social influence network model in which agents are anchored to their initial opinions. Different from the containment control of multi-agent systems in which the leaders are specified in advance, in this paper we impose no additional assumptions on the social influence network model. Our aim is to analyze that how the structure of social network and the extent of agents anchored to their initial opinions influence opinion containment of the social network. First, we study opinion containment of the social influence network model over single issue. Sufficient and necessary condition for the network to achieve opinion containment is established. Then, opinion containment of the social influence network is investigated over issue sequences. Our analysis establishes connections between the interpersonal influence network and the network describing the relationship of agents' initial opinions for successive issues. Based on these connections, we derive sufficient and necessary condition for the network to achieve opinion containment over issue sequences. Finally, simulation examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of our theoretical results.
First report of leaf spot disease on Ficus elastica caused by Phoma glomerata in Iran

During autumn of 2007, some leaves of Ficus elastica with leaf spot symptoms were collected from greenhouses in Karaj, Iran where the host is grown as an ornamental. Based on morphological characteristics, the causal agent of disease was determined as Phoma glomerata. Occurrence of leaf spot disease on F. elastica leaves caused by P. glomerata is reported for the first time in Iran.
Analysis and Applications of GlobeLand30: A Review

Abstract: GlobeLand30, donated to the United Nations by China in September 2014, is the first wall-to-wall 30 m global land cover (GLC) data product. GlobeLand30 is widely used by scientists and users around the world. This paper provides a review of the analysis and applications of GlobeLand30 based on its data-downloading statistics and published studies. An average accuracy of 80% for full classes or one single class is achieved by third-party researchers from more than 10 countries through sample-based validation or comparison with existing data. GlobeLand30 has users from more than 120 countries on five continents, and from all five Social Benefit Areas. The significance of GlobeLand30 is demonstrated by a number of published papers dealing with land-cover status and change analysis, cause-and-consequence analysis, and the environmental parameterization of Earth system models. Accordingly, scientific data sharing in the field of geosciences and Earth observation is promoted, and fine-resolution GLC mapping and applications worldwide are stimulated. The future development of GlobeLand30, including comprehensive validation, continuous updating, and monitoring of sustainable development goals, is also discussed.
Selective D2 receptor stimulation induces dyskinesia in parkinsonian monkeys

Stimulation of D1 striatal receptors has been proposed as the main mechanism mediating levodopa‐induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease. We used (+)‐PHNO, a selective D2 agonist, as the only treatment in 6 cynomolgus monkeys made parkinsonian by repeated 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine administration. All animals developed choreic dyskinesia after a mean treatment period of 12.8 days (range, 1–29). Administration of the D1 antagonist SCH‐23390 1 hour before administration of (+)‐PHNO did not change the dyskinesia. These results indicate that drug‐induced dyskinesia in a primate model of Parkinson's disease is not solely induced by D1 receptor activation.
La traction animale au coeur des stratégies des exploitations agricoles familiales en Afrique subsaharienne

A comparative analysis was carried out on the use of draft animal power in three contrasted situations: the groundnut basin of Senegal, North-Cameroon, and Eastern Burkina Faso. The objective was to characterize draft animal power within farms. In each situation, data were collected according to specific methods and tools, and with the collaboration of various partners, but they did not allow for comparisons between the three countries. In any case, the analysis shows that farmers’ access to animal draft is often a difficult and step by step project. The first step is the acquisition of draft animals, which can require years of effort. The introduction of animal traction leads to major changes in the production system of farmers who need to find a balance between land and energy availability, and manpower. The use of animals helps expand cultivated areas and develop crop/livestock integration. It changes the work organization and distribution, and generates new incomes. Finally, it creates new tasks related to husbandry activities, which thus lead to more expenses from farmers. At the farm level, analyses show that farmers acquire implements in various ways and therefore use various strategies in order to have access to and retain animal traction. They also confirm the central role of animal traction in the life cycle of the farms. At the village level, they show the determining role of work and land exchanges among farms in the process of animal traction acquisition. This process is at an advanced stage in the Senegalese groundnut basin and at an earlier stage in Eastern Burkina Faso and North-Cameroon. It is essential to assist these processes. Priorities must be given to the acquisition of draft animals for unequipped farmers in Eastern Burkina Faso and North-Cameroon, and to taking sustainable measures in all three countries studied, particularly in Senegal: diversified activities, technique control, area-specific innovations.
Analysis on Physical-Layer Security for Internet of Things in Ultra Dense Heterogeneous Networks

Concerning the importance of security and privacy for Internet of Things (IoT) in the future fifth-generation networks, this paper studies physical layer security for IoT in the multi-tier ultra dense heterogeneous networks (UDHNs), where macro-cells overlaid by ultra dense deployed small-cells. In this paper, the locations of the ultra dense deployed base stations are modeling by Poisson cluster processes. The loacations of IoT users and eavesdroppers are drawn from Poisson point processes. Then, the cumulative distribution functions of the receive signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio for IoT users and eavesdroppers are derived, respectively. Moreover, the secrecy coverage probability for an arbitrary IoT user in a UDHN is investigated. Finally, the numerical results verify our analytical results and reveal the influence of various parameters, such as node density and targeted secrecy rate threshold, on secrecy performance.
Scintillation and Luminescent Properties of Cerium Doped Lutetium Aluminum Garnet (Ce:LuAG) Powders and Transparent Ceramics

Transparent cerium doped lutetium aluminum garnet (Ce:LuAG) ceramic scintillantors with different Ce3+ concentrations were densified successfully from synthetical nanosized Ce:LuAG powders using co-precipitation method. It was found that the 0.5 mol% Ce: LuAG ceramic exhibited the highest luminescent emission intensity under synchrotron radiation excitation which could be divided into two components centered at 505 and 540 nm under low temperature (50-150 K) conditions originated from the 5d1 excited level (1D) to the 4f ground state of Ce3+ ( 2F 5 / 2; 2F 7 / 2). The quantum efficiency (QE) of the optimized Ce:LuAG ceramic could reach 66.3% under UV excitation of 345 nm. Typical absorption at 170 nm related to possible Lu Al3+ antisite defect (AD) was observed both in Ce3+ doped and undoped LuAG ceramics which formed electron traps disturbing the energy transfer from host lattice to Ce3+ centers, leading to a slow decay component of 109.4 ns in the 0.5 mol% Ce:LuAG transparent ceramic under 137Cs (662 keV) irradiation.
Sexual Dimorphism Analysis and Gender Classification in 3D Human Face

In this paper, we present the sexual dimorphism analysis in 3D human face and perform gender classification based on the result of sexual dimorphism analysis. Four types of features are extracted from a 3D human-face image. By using statistical methods, the existence of sexual dimorphism is demonstrated in 3D human face based on these features. The contributions of each feature to sexual dimorphism are quantified according to a novel criterion. The best gender classification rate is 94% by using SVMs and Matcher Weighting fusion method.This research adds to the knowledge of 3D faces in sexual dimorphism and affords a foundation that could be used to distinguish between male and female in 3D faces.
Etude des pratiques d'aménagement et de gestion des haies fourragères à la Réunion

Dans la premiere partie de ce rapport, nous rappelons le support et le contexte de notre etude. Ceci permet de faire le point sur l'etat actuel des recherches sur le Calliandra a la Reunion, et de connaitre l'environnement dans lequel s'effectue sa diffusion sur cette ile. Elle porte successivement sur : les proprietes du Calliandra ; l'interet de l'implantation de haies de Calliandra, en rapport avec les particularites de la zone geographique d'etude; la presentation generale du reseau d'exploitations que nous avons enquete. L'objet de notre etude est d'analyser les pratiques des agriculteurs du reseau ci-dessus. L'analyse des pratiques comprend, la description des pratiques et l'evaluation de leurs effets, sur le systeme de production. Sur ce reseau, l'analyse des pratiques est rendue difficile par la grande diversite que nous pouvons observer, et par la nature des donnees qui sont souvent de type qualitatif C'est pourquoi, dans une deuxieme partie, nous detaillons les methodes que nous avons utilisees pour collecter et traiter les informations. Nous proposons une methode d'etude des pratiques grâce a une grille d'observation, qui permet d'approcher les pratiques par des indicateurs et des criteres representatifs. Nous avons choisi d'evaluer les effets des pratiques sur les haies, en nous interessant d'une part, a la formation des talus sur les parcelles, d'autre part, en confrontant les produits obtenus sur une haie, grâce a des pratiques d'amenagement et de taille, avec les besoins d'un troupeau de chevres. La troisieme partie est consacree aux resultats de notre enquete. Elle presente les pratiques d'amenagement et de gestion que nous avons pu observer grâce a notre grille d'observation, ainsi que les resultats de l'evaluation des effets des pratiques. Dans la quatrieme partie de ce document, nous commentons sur les resultats de notre enquete, concernant la caracterisation des pratiques et les mesures des effets. Nous presentons la maniere dont il est possible d'ameliorer, au cours de prochaines etudes, la collecte et le traitement des informations. Ceci est particulierement vrai concernant la caracterisation des pratiques, qui doit etre poursuivie car nos observations ne sont pas exhaustives. Les mesures des effets que nous avons effectuees sont interessantes, mais elles sont encore precoces pour etre significatives. Puis nous abordons le troisieme volet de l'analyse des pratiques (LANDAIS et BALENT, 1993): la comprehension de leur rruse en oeuvre, s'agissant des pratiques d'amenagement et de gestion. (Resume d'auteur)
Toward State Space Island Identification in Multi-process Bidirectional Heuristic Search

Multi-process bidirectional heuristic search algorithms that utilize island nodes (such as PBA*) have been shown to have the potential for exponential speedup over their plain counterparts that do not utilize island nodes. However, the performance of the former can dramatically degrade if the island nodes are not appropriately placed in the state space prior to the beginning of such algorithms. The problem of how to generate appropriately located island nodes has resisted any general purpose solution to date. This work is an initial proposal toward this end. We implement our method and evaluate its performance within PBA* for a variety of sliding-tiles puzzles. Our findings reveal that the overhead cost of using our method is negligible, while at the same time, when PBA* is equipped with the proposed method, it outperforms its random-island-nodes counterpart by over 80% of the time.
Anorexia nervosa: friend or foe?

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine anorexics' attitudes towards anorexia nervosa. METHOD Anorexic patients were asked to write two letters to their anorexia nervosa, one addressing it as a friend and the other addressing it as an enemy. A coding scheme was developed using a "Grounded Theory" methodology to group recurrent themes. The scheme was used independently by three raters: the first author, a rater with extensive experience in eating disorders, and a novice in the field. Use of the coding scheme showed high interrater reliability and comprehensivess. RESULTS Commonly expressed benefits of anorexia nervosa included feeling looked after or protected, gaining a sense of control, and feeling special. Perceived costs of the disorder included constant thoughts about food, feeling taken over, and the damage done to personal relationships. DISCUSSION The positive themes found in the letters are important indicators of factors which may maintain anorexia nervosa. The use of the letters to examine these factors has important clinical implications which are outlined.