Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polyester Microparticles as a Vaccine Delivery System for Brucellosis: Influence of the Polymer on Release, Phagocytosis and Toxicity

Microparticles, containing an antigenic complex from Brucella ovis (HS), were evaluated for vaccine purposes against brucellosis. They were prepared by the double emulsion solvent evaporation method using two different polyesters, poly-lactide- co -glycolide acid (75:25; RG 756) and poly- ε -caprolactone. The encapsulation efficiency and release of HS from the microparticles, their capacity to be phagocytosed and also their toxicity on murine monocytes J774.2 were investigated. Both polymers lead to smooth and spherical sub-5 μ m particles, with approximately 30% of the antigen initial dose encapsulated. SDS-PAGE and immunoblot of extracted antigens confirmed that the apparent molecular weight and antigenicity remained unaltered after the encapsulation procedure. However, the in vitro release of the antigens differed among them. The release profile for PLGA microparticles was continuous, whereas PEC ones released the antigens in a triphasic release pattern. Phagocytosis was clearly influenced by the hydrophobicity of the polymer, increasing in the case of PEC microparticles. Toxicity assay showed that both types of microparticles induced similar levels of mitochondrial damage. In conclusion, HS-PEC microparticles could be used as an effective vaccine against brucellosis, as the antigen is released in boosters and they are greatly phagocytosed by macrophages.
Activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in adults with mineralocorticoid receptor haploinsufficiency.

CONTEXT Mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) contribute to the negative feedback of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in rodents. Studies with MR antagonists suggest a similar role in humans. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to establish whether loss-of-function mutations in NR3C2, encoding MR, cause activation of the HPA axis. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a case-control study in members of pedigrees from the PHA1.NET cohort, comprising patients with pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 (PHA1) who are heterozygous for loss-of-function mutations in NR3C2 and healthy controls who are unaffected family members. PARTICIPANTS Twelve adult patients with PHA1 (six men, six women) and 20 age-matched healthy controls (seven men, 13 women) participated in the study. RESULTS Patients with PHA1 had higher morning plasma cortisol (816 ± 85 vs 586 ± 50 nmol/L, P = .02) and increased 24-hour urinary excretion of cortisol metabolites (985 ± 150 vs 640 ± 46 μg/mmol creatinine, P = .03), independently of gender. After adjustment for gender, age, PHA1 diagnosis, and percentage body fat, higher plasma cortisol was associated with higher plasma renin, lower serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and higher waist circumference but not with blood pressure, carotid intima-media thickness, or echocardiographic parameters. CONCLUSIONS Haploinsufficiency of MR in PHA1 causes HPA axis activation, providing genetic evidence that MR contributes to negative feedback in the human HPA axis. With limited sample size, initial indications suggest the resulting hypercortisolemia is related to the severity of MR deficiency and has adverse effects mediated by glucocorticoid receptors on liver lipid metabolism and adipose tissue distribution but does not adversely affect cardiac and vascular remodeling in the absence of normal signaling through the MR.
Statistical Science for the Life and Behavioural Sciences Measuring Hospital Performance : Modelling and Visualising Bivariate Outcomes

Quantitative indicators are used to objectively asses the performance of large institutions such as hospitals. However, different methods for accounting for structural and random variation can lead to different conclusions on relative performance. Using data from 92 hospitals and 24,000 colo-rectal cancer patients we show how ranking methods can give substantially different results depending on the casemix correction used and how individual hospital-level effects are accounted for. The funnel plot is a visualisation method used for plotting a performance indicator relative to the size or volume of a hospital. We extend the standard funnel plot to three dimensions to display the simultaneous performance of institutions on two outcomes relative to their volume of patients. An interactive 3D funnel plot is implemented and made freely available from the browser. We then propose a conditional bivariate logistic regression for modelling two particular outcomes relating to colo-rectal cancer surgery; complication and failure to rescue. The model allows the correlation between the two outcomes to be estimated after casemix correction. Finally the standard random effects model is extended by the use of a Bayesian semi-parametric model for modelling nonnormally distributed centre effects. We conclude that the choice of how to display and model performance indicators has important policy implications on performance assessment and that scope remains for refinement of such techniques.
Criteria and limits for flow modes of the spherical Taylor-Couette problem in medium and wide gaps

Motivated by recent theoretical and experimental work, we study the spherical Taylor-Couette flow with a view to setting qualitative criteria of the formation of the various vortex modes in relation to certain physical variables. We work on medium and large aspect ratios, namely σ = 0.154, 0.18, 0.38 and 0.48 and we are able to establish in all these cases the following criterion: Transition from one vortex mode to another occurs at those Reynolds numbers at which the torque acting on the outer sphere, the work performed on each rotation by the tangential force acting on the inner sphere and the kinetic energy of the fluid vary abruptly. We propose a physical interpretation for the conditions at which the basic vortex flow is converted into 1-vortex flow. Additionally, we determine the upper limiting value of the aspect ratio, which is σ = 0.51, beyond which Taylor vortices do not exist in annular spherical flow and we numerically obtain for the first time Taylor vortices at large aspect ratios σ = 0.48-0.51. We also show that the range (Re1 ,R e2) of the Reynolds numbers within which such vortices exist decreases with increasing aspect ratio and we point out that its span is affected by three factors. The aspect ratio σ ,t he angular velocity ωo of the outer sphere and the Grashof number Gr of the flow. The simulation of Taylor vortices in spherical flow is achieved using an efficient numerical technique and routes leading to multiple flow states are designed for large gaps. Results can be useful for the solution of such kind of boundary value physical flow problems within shell domains in several geometries.
Application, Implementation and Integration of Discrete-Event Systems Control Theory

Discrete-Event Systems control theory provides automated control solutions for systems that are characterized by asynchronous and instantaneous changes of state; for example, a cluster of machines that each may be “idle”, “busy”, or “broken”. Goals expressed in the language of this theory permit the automatic generation of control solutions which guarantee that illegal behaviour will never occur (within the assumptions of the framework). Despite intensive research on and expansion of the theoretical aspects of this field, a limited amount of research has been reported on its implementation and integration into existing systems. This thesis focuses on identifying classes of systems upon which the theory may be applied and isolates and examines the implementation issues that arise. Methodology for the implementation of the theory is provided and supported by concrete examples. A software suite with an emphasis on human-computer interaction was developed to facilitate the application of the theory. The work described herein constitutes some of the first steps in making the use of Discrete-Event Systems control theory accessible outside of the academic realm.
ANX7, a candidate tumor suppressor gene for prostate cancer

The ANX7 gene is located on human chromosome 10q21, a site long hypothesized to harbor a tumor suppressor gene(s) (TSG) associated with prostate and other cancers. To test whether ANX7 might be a candidate TSG, we examined the ANX7-dependent suppression of human tumor cell growth, stage-specific ANX7 expression in 301 prostate specimens on a prostate tissue microarray, and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of microsatellite markers at or near the ANX7 locus. Here we report that human tumor cell proliferation and colony formation are markedly reduced when the wild-type ANX7 gene is transfected into two prostate tumor cell lines, LNCaP and DU145. Consistently, analysis of ANX7 protein expression in human prostate tumor microarrays reveals a significantly higher rate of loss of ANX7 expression in metastatic and local recurrences of hormone refractory prostate cancer as compared with primary tumors (P = 0.0001). Using four microsatellite markers at or near the ANX7 locus, and laser capture microdissected tumor cells, 35% of the 20 primary prostate tumors show LOH. The microsatellite marker closest to the ANX7 locus showed the highest rate of LOH, including one homozygous deletion. We conclude that the ANX7 gene exhibits many biological and genetic properties expected of a TSG and may play a role in prostate cancer progression.
Évolution des politiques d'éducation prioritaire en Europe. Conceptions, mises en œuvres,

Cet ouvrage, issu de l'etude EuroPEP soutenue par la commission europeenne (programme Socrates 2), presente une analyse comparative des politiques d'education prioritaire (PEP) dans huit pays europeens : Angleterre, Belgique, France, Grece, Portugal, Republique tcheque, Roumanie, Suede. Il met l'accent sur les evolutions qui ont affecte ces politiques scolaires depuis leurs premieres formulations comme "politiques de compensation" a la fin des annees soixante. Il etudie leurs contenus et modalites de mise en oeuvre. Les politiques de compensation sont nees dans une periode d'optimisme quant a l'avenement d'une societe plus egalitaire et dans le prolongement des reformes politiques assurant la transition d'une ecole elitiste vers une ecole de masse unifiee, censee garantir l'egalite des chances. Elles sont alors le plus souvent des politiques territorialisees : il s'agit d'accorder des moyens supplementaires et de mobiliser des ressources pour lutter contre les innegalites scolaires dans les territoires urbains ou se concentrent les difficultes economiques et sociales. Certaines de ces politiques ont perdurees jusqu'a nos jours ; elles ont neanmoins connu d'importantes transformations au nom de la lutte contre l'exclusion, tandis que de nouveaux dispositifs ont progressivement emerge ailleurs relevant d'une tout autre philosophie. L'ouvrage decrit ces evolutions impliquant la designation des publics beneficiaires, l'organisation, l'action pedagogique, jusqu'aux objectifs. Multiplication de dispositifs particuliers, gestion des "groupes a risques", individualisation de l'enseignement, adaptations curiculaires autour des"besoins specifiques"sont autant d'elements de ce qui apparait comme un nouvel âge des "PEP" dont le rapport aux enjeux de democratisation de l'acces au savoirs demeure bien incertain.
Introducing Smart grids in residential contexts: Consumers' perception of smart household appliances

A more energy efficient supply and demand in household settings is high on the agenda. Smart grids, smart meters, demand side management and smart appliances play a crucial role in this context. Many stakeholders are involved, but the exact role of the customer is often neglected. More specifically, his opinion, attitude, drivers or barriers towards new ways of energy consumption and energy management. This paper employs a user-centric perspective. It aims at mapping consumers perception of the possibilities of demand side management through smart household appliances. A quantitative survey was conducted among 500 households spread over Flanders, Belgium. In this paper, the results of this survey with regard to the respondents perception of smart appliances are presented. The Technology Acceptance Model was used as the theoretical framework to measure these perceptions.
DarkSide-50 : Investigating Low Energy Peaks

Results concern DarkSide-50, a dark matter direct detection apparatus operating underground at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (LNGS). This paper reports and explores an excess of events with primary scintillation energy less than 30 photoelectrons, the number of which decays over time. These events can be identified as a radioactive contamination by using Regions of Interest (ROI) to include events with such low energy that only the secondary scintillation records as a pulse. Although majority trigger 2 (mt2) and majority trigger 3 (mt3) data cannot be compared for very low energy events using trigger multiplicity recorded by hardware, multiplicity can be measured by software. This paper presents a method to do so and with the unity of the mt2 and mt3 data shows the decay as very likely Argon-37.
Draft Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus sp. Strain P14, a Biodegrader of High-Molecular-Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

ABSTRACT The genus Rhodococcus is known for its ability to degrade various xenobiotic compounds. Rhodococcus sp. strain P14 isolated from crude oil-contaminated sediments can degrade mineral oil and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The draft genome sequence of Rhodococcus sp. P14 was obtained using Solexa technology, which provided an invaluable genetic background for further investigation of the ability of P14 to degrade xenobiotic compounds.
Framework for 2D-3D image fusion of infrared thermography with preoperative MRI

Abstract Multimodal medical image fusion combines information of one or more images in order to improve the diagnostic value. While previous applications mainly focus on merging images from computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonic and single-photon emission computed tomography, we propose a novel approach for the registration and fusion of preoperative 3D MRI with intraoperative 2D infrared thermography. Image-guided neurosurgeries are based on neuronavigation systems, which further allow us track the position and orientation of arbitrary cameras. Hereby, we are able to relate the 2D coordinate system of the infrared camera with the 3D MRI coordinate system. The registered image data are now combined by calibration-based image fusion in order to map our intraoperative 2D thermographic images onto the respective brain surface recovered from preoperative MRI. In extensive accuracy measurements, we found that the proposed framework achieves a mean accuracy of 2.46 mm.
Deep Learning Approach for Devanagari Script Recognition

In this paper, we have proposed a new technique for recognition of handwritten Devanagari Script using deep learning architecture. In any OCR or classification system extracting discriminating feature is most important and crucial step for its success. Accuracy of such system often depends on the good feature representation. Deciding upon the appropriate features for classification system is highly subjective and requires lot of experience to decide proper set of features for a given classification system. For handwritten Devanagari characters it is very difficult to decide on optimal set of good feature to get good recognition rate. These methods use raw pixel values as features. Deep Learning architectures learn hierarchies of features. In this work, first image is preprocessed to remove noise, converted to binary image, resized to fixed size of 30×40 and then convert to gray scale image using mask operation, it blurs the edges of the images. Then we learn features using an unsupervised stacked Restrict.
- 5 Image-Guided Percutaneous Ablation of Renal Tumors

Renal tumors account for more than 50,000 new cases annually in the United States with a rising incidence (Chow et al., 1999). This is mainly because of an increase in diagnosis due to widespread use of cross-sectional imaging (Pantuck et al., 2001). Renal cell carcinoma constitutes 4% of all adult malignancies (American Cancer Society, 2008) and about 70 to 80 percent of patients presenting with localized limited-stage disease (Luciani et al., 2000; Janzen et al.,2003). Nephron-sparing surgery remians the gold standard treatment for small renal tumors. Although operative resection has been shown to be effective for treatment of small renal tumors and for preservation of renal function, it does have morbidity and mortality risks (Fergany et al., 2000; Gill et al., 2007; Breda et al., 2009). Early laparoscopic renal cryoablation results have shown technical feasibility and offer a less invasive technique for destroying small renal tumors (Spaliviero et al., 2004). Image-guided percutaneous ablation of small renal tumors is less invasive, incurs less damage to uninvolved noncancerous renal tissue and is becoming a viable alternative to nephronsparing surgery (Hui et al., 2008, Gontero et al., 2010).
RF Photonic, In-Situ, Real-Time Phased Array Antenna Calibration System

Abstract : The next generation of Navy ships will incorporate the latest in advanced electronics, weapon systems and antenna aperture structures to support the future needs of the Navy. Phased array antennas are typically comprised of 1000's of elements and are able to electronically steer multiple beams throughout a prescribed sector to provide both search and targeting information. This very timely information is usually integrated with other systems onboard a platform for use in situation awareness. Currently, without proper and frequent calibration, signal errors from environmental fluctuations and component aging result in diminished performance of the array. Due to the complex and dynamic nature of these active aperture systems, real-time system calibration will be required to maintain the ability to operate at the high level of performance necessary to carry out a platform mission. A collaborative effort between the Radar Division and Optical Sciences Division of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory has successfully demonstrated a system with performance suitable for in-situ, real-time calibration of shipboard phased array antennas.
Discrete cosine transform in error control coding

The authors define a new class of real-number linear block codes using the discrete cosine transform (DCT). They also show that a subclass with a BCH-like structure can be defined and, therefore, encoding/decoding algorithms for BCH codes can be applied, A (16,10) DCT code is given as an example. >
Ro 19-4603, a benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist, attenuates voluntary ethanol consumption in rats selectively bred for high ethanol preference.

The effect of Ro 19-4603, a novel potent partial inverse agonist of benzodiazepine (BZ) receptors, on voluntary ethanol intake was examined in a rat line selectively bred for ethanol preference (Sardinian ethanol preferring, sP, rats). Ro 19-4603, 1 mg/kg i.p., three times daily, reduced voluntary ethanol consumption by about 40% during 7 days of treatment, but failed to reduce water intake. The results suggest that the GABA/BZ receptor complex may play a role in the reinforcing property of ethanol.
Parametrizations of elliptic curves by Shimura curves and by classical modular curves.

Fix an isogeny class of semistable elliptic curves over Q. The elements A of have a common conductor N, which is a square-free positive integer. Let D be a divisor of N which is the product of an even number of primes--i.e., the discriminant of an indefinite quaternion algebra over Q. To D we associate a certain Shimura curve X(0)D(N/D), whose Jacobian is isogenous to an abelian subvariety of J0(N). There is a unique A [symbol; see text] A in for which one has a nonconstant map piD : X(0)D(N/D) --> A whose pullback A --> Pic0(X(0)D(N/D)) is injective. The degree of piD is an integer deltaD which depends only on D (and the fixed isogeny class A). We investigate the behavior of deltaD as D varies.
Screen-printed free-standing piezoelectric devices using low temperature process

This paper reports, the fabrication by screen-printing and characterization of different types of free-standing structures. The process is based upon sacrificial surface micromachining using a water-based removal method enabling the fabrication of free-standing structures. Diaphragms, cantilevers and encastre beam structures have been fabricated simultaneously on a single substrate, demonstrating the feasibility of mass production.
From ventilator‐induced lung injury to physician‐induced lung injury: Why the reluctance to use small tidal volumes?

know that medicine cannot always be a pro-vided by a protocol. Unlike drugs and medicaldevices, which cannot be sold unless their effective-ness has been documented, actual treatment in criticalcare medicine is often dictated by authority, personalexperience, and bias. To effectively practise moderncritical care medicine, clinicians must be knowledge-able of the complete spectrum of clinical disease andthe safety and efficacy of all treatments for any dis-ease. Training critical care physicians requires avoid-ing confusing opinions with evidence or personalignorance with scientific uncertainty (1). The betterwe understand the quality of the evidence we use tomake clinical decisions, the better we are able to judgewhether new scientific evidence should be incorpo-rated into our practice. But, how can we ensure thatthe current generation of physicians are trained tomake clinical decisions based on the judicious use ofthe current best evidence-based practice? Practising evidence-based medicine relies on mak-ing evidence from clinical research available to sup-port medical practice (2). In other words, critically illpatients should be treated by evidence-based clinicalpractice guidelines as standards of care. If medicine isnot based on scientific evidence, one must wonder onwhat it is based. The fact that we generally do a poorjob of translating research into practise is well docu-mented (3). There is the perception that the lack ofeducational initiatives at the departmental level inmany teaching hospitals around the world preventsus from implementing interventions that can improveclinically relevant outcomes. Instead, many of us stillpractise medicine based on our personal experiencesduring training and from treating patients over theyears (4). Although many randomized controlledtrials in critically ill patients have been conductedover the last 20years, some procedures that are welldocumented have still not become part of ‘standardpractice’ (5, 6). Physicians seem to be unwilling tochange their practice (7, 8). Insufficient evidence-based medical education, scientific ignorance, bias,and lack of financial incentives or lack of belief inthe research evidence are among some of the factorsthat may explain this attitude among critical carephysicians (2, 8). As a result, a gap remains betweenwhat the evidence recommends and what is practised.In this commentary, we discuss the evidence regard-ing the impact of mechanical ventilation on outcomein acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and itsimplementation or more precisely lack of implemen-tation.