Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Artificial Feeding Systems for Ixodid Ticks as a Tool for Study of Pathogen Transmission

Among the blood-sucking arthropods, ixodid ticks have some of the most complicated feeding behavior requirements. Feeding is preceded by an attachment process, and each instar has to remain fully attached to the same feeding site for a period of 214 days. These biological demands have for a long time made it relatively difficult to develop viable methods were ixodid ticks could be fed without using their natural hosts. Literature survey shows that some of the in vitro feeding methods tried include capillary feeding,',* feeding ticks through various membranes such as slices of bovine skin (dermatomes); rabbithovine skins,4 and silicone membrane? The capillary method had severe limitations in that ticks had to be prefed on the natural host before fixing the diet filled capillaries to the mouthparts. Furthermore, the volumes of blood taken by the tick were very small because ticks had to feed in an unnatural manner. The use of host-skin tissue had certain problems in that the skin could rot easily. In cases where rotting could be prevented, it was observed that host skins were suitable for ticks with long mouthparts like Amblyomma variegatum but unsuitable for Rhipicephalus appendiculatus with short mouthparts. Advances in our knowledge on tick sensory biology and behaviofl facilitated the development of artificial membranes and conditions conducive to the voluntary attachment and feeding to repletion of R. appendiculatus, a vector of Theileria parva, the causative agent of East Coast fever (ECF). '. ' Lack of efficient in vitro feeding systems for ixodid ticks has all along been a limiting factor to research efforts directed towards tick control and tick-borne disease transmission in particular. In vitro feeding systems can be used to study products injected by ticks into their hosts, the effects of substances ingested by ticks, and pathogen infection as well as transmission among ticks.9 In this paper, we discuss
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOGISTICS AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF SMES IN INDONESIA

Logistics is part of supply chain which support business activity to achieve high performance. This paper extends the previous research on the relationship between supply chain management and business performance. However, there are few research focus on assessing specific activity, such as, logistics and its relation to the business performance, especially financial performance. Previous research found that there is strong relationship between logistics and financial performance. The independent variables in this study include logistics cost, flexibility, reliability, security, service quality. Meanwhile, the dependent variable include financial performance. This study was conducted in Central Sulawesi Province by delivered 150 questionnaires, but there were 120 returned and fully completed the questionnaire. The result found that logistics cost and service quality have positive relationship to SMEs’ financial performance in Indonesia. Meanwhile, flexibility, reliability and security have negative correlation to SMEs’ financial performance. This paper also contributes to provide guidance in terms of relationship between logistics and financial performance in theoretical model for the managers or owner of SMEs.
Selenium supplementation for critically ill adults.

BACKGROUND Selenium is a trace mineral essential to human health, which has an important role in the immune response, defence against tissue damage and thyroid function. Improving selenium status could help protect against overwhelming tissue damage and infection in critically ill adults. OBJECTIVES This review assessed the effects of selenium supplementation including the selenium-containing compound, ebselen, on adults recovering from critical illness. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2003), MEDLINE, (1966 to July 2003), EMBASE (1980 to Week 30 2003),CAB NAR (1973 to March 2003), BIOSIS (1985 to July 2003), CINAHL (1982 to July 2003), HEALTHSTAR (1975 to September 2002), Current Controlled Trials, and reference lists. We contacted investigators, and handsearched four journals. Date of the most recent search: December 2003. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized trials of selenium or ebselen supplementation by any route, in adults with critical illness (including burns, head injury, brain haemorrhage, cerebrovascular accident and surgery). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. We sought additional information as required from trialists. We also undertook pooling of data for outcomes and selected exploratory analyses were undertaken. MAIN RESULTS Seven randomized trials involving813participants were included. The quality of trials, as reported, was poor, particularly for allocation concealment. The availability of outcome data was limited and trials involving selenium supplementation, were small. Thus the results must be interpreted with caution. Because of heterogeneity, results are presented for the random effects models. Four selenium trials showed no statistically significant difference in mortality (relative risk (RR) 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20 to 1.34). Three trials of ebselen also showed no statistically significant difference in mortality (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.35). One trial of selenium found no statistically significant difference between groups for participants developing infection (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.55 to 3.24). Three trials of ebselen provided data for participants developing infections (pyrexia, respiratory infections or meningitis), which was not statistically significant (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.02). No clear evidence emerged for the benefits of selenium or ebselen supplementation for the outcomes of days on a ventilator, length of intensive care unit stay, length of hospital stay or quality of life. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient evidence to recommend supplementation of critically ill patients with selenium or ebselen. Trials are required which overcome the defects of the reviewed studies, particularly inadequate size and methodology. This review will be updated when four ongoing trials are completed.
Design and Implementation of an Intelligent Expansion Module for Wireless Gas Sensor Networks

Wireless gas sensor networks (WGSN) offer the potential of high spatial and temporal resolution monitoring of target areas in both critical and non-critical scenarios. We describe the design and evaluation of an electronic expansion module, MICARES, suitable for gas sensing applications with wireless sensor networks. The module is intended for use with the MICA family of motes through the 51-pin connector. Proper housing assured, the device is applicable to both indoor and outdoor gas sensing for buildings, commercial and industrial spaces. Challenges lay in sensor selection, analytical and experimental power budgeting and field testing. We present the design goals at the network and node level and the adopted solutions to achieve them. Appropriate adaptive sampling strategies for energy efficiency, along with data resulting from CO2 monitoring are described. Emphasis is put on embedded sensor integration into the electrical design and methods for on-board data acquisition and processing for decision support at the node and network levels. Copyright © 2015 IFSA Publishing, S. L.
[Tuberculous pneumopathy in the course of cystic fibrosis].

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis is rarely seen in patients with cystic fibrosis. CASE REPORT A 14-year old female adolescent, regularly followed for a well-tolerated form of cystic fibrosis, developed an acute respiratory infection with consolidation of the left inferior lobe, and no response to the usual antibiotic treatment of cystic fibrosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was found in aspirate by fibroscopy, on Loewenstein medium. No familial or social infection contact were identified. Antituberculous chemotherapy with three drugs brought about a prompt improvement of sytemic signs, weight gain, resolution of pulmonary foci and sedation of biological findings referable to inflammation. CONCLUSION This case report reminds us that tuberculosis may occur in cystic fibrosis patients. Loewenstein cultures should routinely be made when faced with an unexplainable worsening of the condition.
New Antigens for Serologic Diagnosis of Neuroborreliosis in Children

Objective: To evaluate serology with novel Borrelia-specific protein or peptide antigens in the laboratory diagnosis of neuroborreliosis (NB) in children. Methods: The performance of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with several recombinant borrelial protein antigens and invariable region 6 synthetic peptide antigen and of a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with the flagella antigen were evaluated in the serodiagnosis and follow-up of children with clinical suspicion of NB. Serum samples were obtained from 20 children with neurologic symptoms indicative of NB. The patients were retrospectively divided into 2 groups based on the laboratory tests at presentation indicating definite (n = 7) or probable (n = 13) NB. Results: In addition to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lymphocytic pleocytosis and CSF antiflagella antibodies, all 7 patients with definite NB had serum IgG antibodies to at least 2 of the 3 novel antigens at presentation. The 13 patients with probable NB had variable laboratory findings: CSF pleocytosis (n = 7), CSF antiflagella IgM antibodies (n = 4), serum antiflagella IgM and/or IgG antibodies (n = 10). Of these 13 patients, 7 had serum IgG antibodies to 2 of the 3 novel antigens at presentation. During long term follow-up, serum anti-invariable region 6 antibodies disappeared. Conclusions: The present study suggests that assessment of serum antibodies to a panel of Borrelia-specific antigens could improve the laboratory diagnosis of NB at presentation.
Prototypage rapide et évaluation de modèles de dialogue finalisés

L’objectif de cette contribution est de présenter l’intégration de la notion d’évaluation dans la méthodologie de prototypage rapide de modèles de dialogue développée et mise en oeuvre dans le cadre du projet InfoVox. L’idée centrale de cette méthodologie est de dériver un modèle de dialogue opérationnel directement à partir du modèle de la tâche à laquelle il est associé. L’intégration systématique de différents aspects de l’évaluation dans le processus de prototypage est alors utile afin d’identifier, dès la phase de conception, les qualités et défauts de l’interface. Toutes les conclusions présentées seront illustrées par des résultats concrets obtenus au cours d’expériences réalisées dans le cadre du projet InfoVox.
Constrained Total Least-Squares Location Algorithm Using Time-Difference-of-Arrival Measurements

Determining the location of a source from its emissions has gained considerable interest over the past few years. In this paper, by utilizing the time difference of arrival (TDOA) of a signal received at spatially separated sensors, a novel algorithm for source location is proposed. The algorithm is based on the constrained total least-squares (CTLS) technique, and an iterative technique based on Newton's method is utilized to give a numerical solution. By using a perturbation analysis, the bias and covariance of the proposed CTLS algorithm are also derived. Simulation results show that the proposed CTLS algorithm gives sufficient accuracy with lower computational cost, and more importantly, it is more robust to large measurement noise than the compared algorithms.
Social Mechanisms to Motivate Learning with Remote Experiments - Design Choices to Foster Online Peer-based Learning

If we consider knowledge to be the result of a negotiation process about references and meaning between individuals, then, we should consider it also a collective or social property. This view underlies numerous initiatives worldwide providing unrestricted online access to educational content, software tools, and implementation resources, commonly referred to as Open Educational Resources (OER). In earlier research on the use of Open Educational Resources at the TU Delft, we addressed the issue of sustainability of OER projects in terms of organization, motivation, types of resources, types of reuse, and funding and revenue models. In this paper, we focus on how social mechanisms can contribute to increase motivation amongst stakeholders to maintain and create useful content, and engage in meaningful interactions within learning
Deformable planning CT to cone-beam CT image registration in head-and-neck cancer.

PURPOSE The purpose of this work was to implement and validate a deformable CT to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image registration method in head-and-neck cancer to eventually facilitate automatic target delineation on CBCT. METHODS Twelve head-and-neck cancer patients underwent a planning CT and weekly CBCT during the 5-7 week treatment period. The 12 planning CT images (moving images) of these patients were registered to their weekly CBCT images (fixed images) via the symmetric force Demons algorithm and using a multiresolution scheme. Histogram matching was used to compensate for the intensity difference between the two types of images. Using nine known anatomic points as registration targets, the accuracy of the registration was evaluated using the target registration error (TRE). In addition, region-of-interest (ROI) contours drawn on the planning CT were morphed to the CBCT images and the volume overlap index (VOI) between registered contours and manually delineated contours was evaluated. RESULTS The mean TRE value of the nine target points was less than 3.0 mm, the slice thickness of the planning CT. Of the 369 target points evaluated for registration accuracy, the average TRE value was 2.6 +/- 0.6 mm. The mean TRE for bony tissue targets was 2.4 +/- 0.2 mm, while the mean TRE for soft tissue targets was 2.8 +/- 0.2 mm. The average VOI between the registered and manually delineated ROI contours was 76.2 +/- 4.6%, which is consistent with that reported in previous studies. CONCLUSIONS The authors have implemented and validated a deformable image registration method to register planning CT images to weekly CBCT images in head-and-neck cancer cases. The accuracy of the TRE values suggests that they can be used as a promising tool for automatic target delineation on CBCT.
STATIC PERIMETRY: ACCURACY AND FLUCTUATIONS

Threshold fluctuations are divided into short‐term and long‐term effects applying statistical methods. Sixteen normal and pathological visual fields were analysed in order to obtain the numerical values for the short‐term, long‐term and total fluctuation. Special attention is paid to fortuitous variations between the results obtained at successive examinations. Finally the concept of spatial correlations is introduced.
Angiopoietin-2 functions as an autocrine protective factor in stressed endothelial cells

Angiopoietin (Ang)-2, a context-dependent agonist/antagonist for the vascular-specific Tie2 receptor, is highly expressed by endothelial cells at sites of normal and pathologic angiogenesis. One prevailing model suggests that in these settings, Ang-2 acts as an autocrine Tie2 blocker, inhibiting the stabilizing influence of the Tie2 activator Ang-1, thereby promoting vascular remodeling. However, the effects of endogenous Ang-2 on cells that are actively producing it have not been studied in detail. Here, we demonstrate that Ang-2 expression is rapidly induced in endothelial cells by the transcription factor FOXO1 after inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway. We employ RNAi and blocking antibodies to show that in this setting, Ang-2 unexpectedly functions as a Tie2 agonist, bolstering Akt activity so as to provide negative feedback on FOXO1-regulated transcription and apoptosis. In addition, we show that Ang-2, like Ang-1, activates Tie2/Akt signaling in vivo, thereby inhibiting the expression of FOXO1 target genes. Consistent with a role for Ang-2 as a Tie2 activator, we demonstrate that Ang-2 inhibits vascular leak. Our data suggests a model in which Ang-2 expression is induced in stressed endothelial cells, where it acts as an autocrine Tie2 agonist and protective factor.
Reference Health and the Demand for Medical Care

We propose that health in prior periods, termed reference health, is theoretically and empirically relevant to the demand for medical care. To address non‐normality in the distributions of medical care spending, consumption, and health, we use a conditional density estimator nested in a finite mixture framework. We find that reference health can help explain the variation in spending among individuals with the same contemporaneous health, particularly in the top tail of the spending distribution. We demonstrate that omitting reference health understates the potential cost‐savings of healthy aging initiatives by 50%.
Chapter 5.1: Major public health problems — cardiovascular diseases

N Cardiovascular diseases are one of the absolutely largest public health problems in Sweden. The risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases, above all myocardial infarction, declined by about 23% between 1987 and 2002. The risk of dying from coronary disease has declined even more ‐ by about 40%. N The incidence of stroke remained relatively unchanged between 1987 and 2001, with a certain reduction from 1999. Mortality from stroke declined somewhat during the whole of the 1990s.
Hybrid Optimization using Evolutionary and Approximate Gradient Search for Expensive Functions

Optimization of expensive functions is more feasible with algorithms that require fewer evaluations of the objective function. In that spirit, this paper proposes a hybrid evolution strategy. As in [11, 9, 10], the proposed algorithm combines an evolution strategy (ES) with a gradient search technique. The proposed algorithm differs in that it uses a local radial basis function approximation to the objective function to compute approximate first and second derivatives to the objective function surface. The derivative information is used to propagate a gradient individual alongside the evolving population. The gradient individual is included for possible selection each generation. Tests on a small suite of standard test functions and a hydrologic application show that this hybrid approach can greatly accelerate the covariance matrix adaptation evolution strategy (CMAES). This hybrid approach is flexible and requires little modification of an existing evolution strategy; thus, it does not seem to alter negatively affect convergence when an objective function does not have sufficient smoothness for derivatives to yield useful descent information.
Power system frequency oscillation characteristics

This paper reports the initial results on low frequency oscillation monitoring and analysis combining practical measurements from an Internet-based frequency monitoring network (FNET) and simulations. Typical oscillation characteristics excited by various disturbances are shown using simulations and real measurements. The corresponding time-space dynamic propagation patterns are also provided. The frequency domain characteristics are also provided revealing oscillation modes and damping factors.
Radio Continuum Imaging of the Spiral Galaxy NGC 4258

We analyze 3. ″5 resolution, high-sensitivity radio continuum images of the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 4258 at 6 and 20 cm derived from multiple observations used to monitor the radio supernova SN 1981K by Van Dyk et al. Seven bright H II regions and five supernova remnant candidates are identified. Extinctions to the H II regions are estimated for the first time from a comparison of radio flux densities to new optical fluxes derived from Hα observations by Dutil & Roy. The bright end of the H II region luminosity function is established at each wavelength. The luminosity functions are best fit by power laws consistent with the shape of previously published radio and optical luminosity functions for a number of galaxies. The supernova remnants are all about 2-3 times the radio luminosity of Cas A. In addition, the galaxy's nucleus is shown to have been variable over the SN 1981K monitoring period. The spectral index (α) distribution of the anomalous radio arms is investigated and found to be relatively uniform at α = -0.65 ± 0.10.
Observation et analyse de comportements des utilisateurs à base de traces. Analyse des activités sur simulateurs pleine échelle de conduite de centrale nucléaire

Notre objectif de recherche est de proposer des modeles et des outils generiques permettant de faciliter l’observation et l’analyse des comportements des utilisateurs-apprenants dans un contexte d’apprentissage medie. Pour cela, nous avons propose une approche d’analyse basee sur l’exploitation des traces d’interaction. Le principe consiste a transformer des traces de bas niveau d’abstraction, issues d’un systeme de collecte, afin de construire des informations de haut niveau qui traduisent le comportement de l’apprenant. Ce travail s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un projet en partenariat avec EDF qui vise a assister les formateurs dans l’observation et l’analyse des activites des operateurs-stagiaires sur simulateurs pleine echelle de conduite de centrale nucleaire. Dans ce cadre, nous avons developpe la plate-forme generique D3KODE (Define, Discover and Disseminate Knowledge from Observation to Develop Expertise). Basee sur les modeles proposes, D3KODE permet le stockage, la transformation et la visualisation interactive de traces. D3KODE ete evalue en contexte reel avec des experts, formateurs et stagiaires de EDF et a ete exploitee dans d’autres contextes. D3KODE est en Open Source sur le web.
Intensive Insulin Therapy in Critically Ill Patients: NICE-SUGAR or Leuven Blood Glucose Target?

Context: Hyper- and hypoglycemia are associated with increased mortality of critically ill patients, but whether this association is causal remains unclear. Early randomized-controlled studies compared insulin infusion targeting “age-normal” blood glucose levels, labeled intensive insulin therapy, with an approach that considered hyperglycemia as a beneficial adaptation. These studies found benefits with maintaining normoglycemia. A recent large multicenter study, NICE-SUGAR, compared a similar age-normal with an intermediate glucose target and found the intermediate target superior. These results require explanation. Evidence Acquisition: All published randomized controlled studies on glucose control in ICU were reviewed. The methodological differences between the repeat studies, most specifically NICE-SUGAR, and the original proof-of-concept studies, were systematically analyzed. Evidence Synthesis: There were important methodological differences, possibly explaining different outcomes. These comprised .
Requirement for Coronin 1 in T Lymphocyte Trafficking and Cellular Homeostasis

The evolutionarily conserved actin-related protein (Arp2/3) complex is a key component of actin filament networks that is dynamically regulated by nucleation-promoting and inhibitory factors. Although much is known about actin assembly, the physiologic functions of inhibitory proteins are unclear. We generated coronin 1–/– mice and found that coronin 1 exerted an inhibitory effect on cellular steady-state F-actin formation via an Arp2/3-dependent mechanism. Whereas coronin 1 was required for chemokine-mediated migration, it was dispensable for T cell antigen receptor functions in T cells. Moreover, actin dynamics, through a mitochondrial pathway, was linked to lymphocyte homeostasis.