Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Common Laboratory Disinfectants on the Infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts in Cell Culture

ABSTRACT Nine liquid disinfectants were tested for their ability to reduce infectivity of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in cell culture. A 4-min exposure to 6% hydrogen peroxide and a 13-min exposure to ammonium hydroxide-amended windshield washer fluid reduced infectivity 1,000-fold. Other disinfectants tested (70% ethanol, 37% methanol, 6% sodium hypochlorite, 70% isopropanol, and three commercial disinfectants) did not reduce the infectivity after a 33-min exposure. The results indicate that hydrogen peroxide and windshield washer fluid or ammonium hydroxide disinfectant may be suitable laboratory disinfectants against C. parvum oocysts.
La infografía periodística en España: definición y tipología de uso

Los medios de comunicación ofrecen contenidos apoyados en elementos gráficos bien para acompañar al texto como elemento decorativo, o bien para hacerlo más comprensible y/o contextualizar la información. Este trabajo propone una definición actualizada de la infografía periodística y establece una tipología según su uso, con el objetivo de clarificar lo mejor posible qué expresiones gráficas pueden considerarse infografía periodística y cuándo debe usarse la infografía para comunicar la información. Para corroborar y apoyar la definición y la tipología resultantes, se ha realizado un estudio de casos de las infografías publicadas en los principales diarios de prensa impresa generalista española: El País, 20 Minutos y El Mundo. Todos los casos analizados cumplen cada una de las características enunciadas en la definición. Además, cada infografía se ha podido ordenar en la clasificación confirmando que los medios españoles utilizan la infografía principalmente para comparar y ubicar datos.
Functional dissection of proliferating-cell nuclear antigens (1 and 2) in human malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum: possible involvement in DNA replication and DNA damage response.

Eukaryotic PCNAs (proliferating-cell nuclear antigens) play diverse roles in nucleic acid metabolism in addition to DNA replication. Plasmodium falciparum, which causes human malaria, harbours two PCNA homologues: PfPCNA1 and PfPCNA2. The functional role of two distinct PCNAs in the parasite still eludes us. In the present study, we show that, whereas both PfPCNAs share structural and biochemical properties, only PfPCNA1 functionally complements the ScPCNA mutant and forms distinct replication foci in the parasite, which PfPCNA2 fails to do. Although PfPCNA1 appears to be the primary replicative PCNA, both PfPCNA1 and PfPCNA2 participate in an active DDR (DNA-damage-response) pathway with significant accumulation in the parasite upon DNA damage induction. Interestingly, PfPCNA genes were found to be regulated not at the transcription level, but presumably at the protein stability level upon DNA damage. Such regulation of PCNA has not been shown in eukaryotes before. Moreover, overexpression of PfPCNA1 and PfPCNA2 in the parasite confers a survival edge on the parasite in a genotoxic environment. This is the first evidence of a PfPCNA-mediated DDR in the parasite and gives new insights and rationale for the presence of two PCNAs as a parasite survival strategy and its probable success.
Surveillance of cerebral palsy in Europe: a collaboration of cerebral palsy surveys and registers

Although cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor deficiency in young children, it occurs in only 2 to 3 per 1000 live births. In order to monitor prevalence rates, especially within subgroups (birthweight, clinical type), it is necessary to study large populations. A network of CP surveys and registers was formed in 14 centres in eight countries across Europe. Differences in prevalence rates of CP in the centres prior to any work on harmonization of data are reported. The subsequent process to standardize the definition of CP, inclusion/exclusion criteria, classification, and description of children with CP is outlined. The consensus that was reached on these issues will make it possible to monitor trends in CP rate, to provide a framework for collaborative research, and a basis for services planning among European countries.
Swarm Intelligence via the Internet of Things and the Phenomenological Turn

Considering the current advancements in biometric sensors and other related technologies, as well as the use of bio-inspired models for AI improvements, we can infer that the swarm intelligence paradigm can be implemented in human daily spheres through the connectivity between user gadgets connected to the Internet of Things. This is a first step towards a real Ambient Intelligence, but also of a Global Intelligence. This unconscious (by the user) connectivity may alter the way by which we feel the world. Besides, with the arrival of new augmented ways of capturing and providing information or radical new ways of expanding our bodies (through synthetic biology or artificial prosthesis like brain–computer connections), we can be very close to a change which may radically affect our experience of ourselves and of the feeling of collectivity. We call it the techno-phenomenological turn. We show social implications, present challenges, and and open questions for the new kind of swarm intelligence-enhanced society, and provide the taxonomy of the field of study. We will also explore the possible roadmaps of this next possible situation.
Radio access network slicing based on C/U plane separation

Network slicing achieves many interests from industry and academics due to its flexibility and scalability. In this paper, we present a novel slicing scheme for radio access networks (RANs) based on control/user (C/ U) plane separation. Firstly, we divide eNBs into two sub-eNBs called CeNB and UeNB, for transmitting control data and user data respectively, thereby facilitating C/U plane separation. Secondly, upon CeNBs and UeNBs being virtualized, we develop two RAN slices for control and user plane respectively. Experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed scheme.
Fördern realitätsbasierte UIs kollaborative Rechercheaktivitäten?

Soziale Aktivitäten sind während eines Rechercheprozesses von essentieller Bedeutung, werden jedoch bisher in aktuellen digitalen Recherchesystemen nur unzureichend berücksichtigt. Social, Tangible und Surface Computing bieten erste Ansätze zur Lösung des Problems. Darauf aufbauend stellt dieser Beitrag drei verschiedene Benutzerschnittstellen für die Aktivität des gemeinsamen Filterns und Explorierens vor. Dabei wurden die Benutzerschnittstellen bewusst mit unterschiedlichen Interaktionstechniken umgesetzt, von sehr realitätsbasiert über rein virtuell bis hin zu einem eher klassischen Ansatz. Weiterhin werden Ergebnisse einer Evaluationsstudie vorgestellt, in der insbesondere die Auswirkungen der verschiedenen Ansätze auf das kollaborative Arbeiten untersucht wurden.
Role of plasma and urinary calcium and phosphorus measurements in early detection of phosphorus deficiency in very low birthweight infants

Aim: To analyse the role of serum and urinary calcium and phosphorus levels in early detection of mineral deficiency in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants born appropriate (AGA) and small for gestational age (SGA). Methods: 64 VLBW infants were included in a cohort study and divided into two groups: AGA (n= 30) and SGA infants (n= 34). Then, they were divided according to the presence of radiological signs of metabolic bone disease (MBD): with MBD (n= 21) and without MBD (n= 34). Blood samples and 6 h urine collections were obtained for calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase activity and creatinine determinations between 3 and 5 wk of life. Results: There were no biochemical differences between AGA and SGA. Higher values of urinary calcium (MBD = 31.9 ± 20.2, without MBD = 19.8 ± 15.4; p= 0.017), calciuria (MBD = 2.3 ± 0.3, without MBD =1.4 ± 0.8; p= 0.037) and alkaline phosphatase activity (MBD = 369 ± 114, without MBD = 310 ± 93; p= 0.04) were found in infants who developed MBD. Both groups showed high tubular phosphorus reabsorption indicating mineral deficiency.
In search of plant sources for serine protease inhibitors: I. Detection of serine protease inhibitors in callus cultures induced from somatic explants of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

A study was conducted in order to generate callus cultures in somatic explants of flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) for their possible exploitation as sources for production of useful serine protease inhibitors. The effect of plant growth regulators on callus induction in cotyledonary explants and apical nodes prelevated from 10 days old flax seedlings was studied in order to produce rapidly growing callus biomass. The callus growth / culture vessel was recorded before the transfers performed at 3 weeks intervals. The most efficient culture formulation for callogenesis consisted in MS basal medium supplemented by NAA, TDZ and CH. The biochemical totipotency of the callus cells was evaluated by the presence of serine-protease inhibitors in callus biomass compared to seeds, assessed by analytical determinations of enzymatic dosing toward trypsine.
The underreporting of disease and physicians' knowledge of reporting requirements.

Previous studies of underreporting of disease have mainly addressed the attitudes of physicians toward reporting of communicable disease to public health agencies and have not examined adequately the physicians' knowledge of the reporting system as a cause of underreporting. To investigate, the authors designed a questionnaire and distributed it to 345 physicians at two hospitals. One hundred and sixty-nine questionnaires, which examined knowledge of reporting requirements and reasons for not complying with those requirements during 1978-81, were returned (a 49 percent response rate). Most of the respondents knew that reporting is required, but their knowledge in specific areas, such as which diseases are reportable, varied greatly. The number of physicians who knew which diseases they are required to report ranged from a low of 63 physicians (37 percent) for trachoma to 163 (96 percent) for syphilis. Of the 169 physicians, only 50 believed they knew how to report reportable diseases, and only 40 of them knew the correct procedures. Thirty-six percent of the 169 physicians indicated that they had not reported any cases at all during 1978-81. On the average, physicians recalled reporting 28 percent of their reportable cases. When they indicated why they had not complied with reporting requirements, the physicians chose reasons that reflected a lack of knowledge of the reporting system. The most common reasons were "did not know how to report" and "did not know it was a reportable disease. " The results suggest that a major factor in physician underreporting is a lack of knowledge of the morbidity reporting system.
How Does the Gender Difference in Willingness to Compete Evolve with Experience?

I study how gender differences in willingness to compete evolve over time in response to experience. Participants in a lab experiment perform the same real-effort task over several rounds. In each round, they have to choose between piece-rate remuneration and a winner-takes-all competition. At the end of each round, those who compete get feedback on the competition outcome. The main result is that women are much more likely than men to stop competing after a loss, which leads to the appearance of a significant gender gap in competitiveness even among those who are initially willing to compete. This gender effect is also present for high performers. In an additional experiment, I show that giving feedback to non-competers might further increase the gender gap in willingness to compete as men who initially choose not to compete react more strongly to positive feedback compared to women.
Broadband 180/spl deg/ bit phase shifter using a /spl lambda//2 coupled line and parallel /spl lambda//8 stubs

In this paper, a broadband 180/spl deg/ bit phase shifter using a new switched-network was presented. The new network is composed of a /spl lambda//2 coupled line and parallel /spl lambda//8 open and short stubs, which are shunted at the edge points of a coupled line, respectively. According to a desired phase shift, it provides a controllable phase dispersive characteristic by the proper determination of Z/sub m/,Z/sub s/, and R values. The 180/spl deg/ bit phase shifter operated at 3 GHz was fabricated and experimented using design graphs which provide the required Z/sub m/,Z/sub s/ values, and I/O match and phase bandwidths. The experimental performances showed broadband characteristics.
Bld10/Cep135 stabilizes basal bodies to resist cilia-generated forces

Basal bodies act as anchorage sites for cilia and resist forces generated by ciliary beating. Bld10/Cep135 is a basal body assembly factor. A novel role is found for Bld10 in stabilizing basal bodies to resist cilia-generated forces. Bld10 achieves this by stabilizing the A- and C-tubules of the basal body triplet microtubule blades.
A Wireless Augmentative and Alternative Communication System for People With Speech Disabilities

An augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device for people with speech disabilities is presented. This AAC system exhibits the advantages of two currently used systems: 1) usability of the communication boards and 2) natural oral communication of the electronic communicators. To improve comfort in use, robustness and versatility, the system is designed as two separate blocks linked by wireless communication via a wireless network of communication board sheets. The communication sheets, which are the interface with the user, are economical, simple to use, and scalable to adaptation of the number of symbols and the vocabulary of the individuals who use the system. The digital system (record/player system) controls the net, identifies the active sheets and the pushed symbols, and plays and records all sounds. This digital system can be easily replaced by other digital interfaces, such as computers, smartphones, or tablets, and can increase the function of the AAC with the possibility of using the Internet communication (emails and Skype, among others). The prototype has been evaluated in two special education schools, which are attended by children with severe motor disabilities with or without associated disorders and multi-deficiencies. Positive reviews from individuals who use the AAC system open the possibility of the system's use in both home and educational environments.
[Capsaicin Alleviate Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Through Attenuating Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of capsaicin (CAP) in myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS Twentyfour adult male SD rats were randomized into 4 groups,namely the control group,ischemia reperfusion group,ischemia reperfusion with CAP group,and ischemia reperfusion with CAPZ and CAP group. Isolated rat hearts underwent Langendorff perfusion. Left ventricular enddiastolic pressure (LVEDP) andleft ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) was calculated to evaluate myocardial performance at 30 min of reperfusion.Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was used to measure the infarct size of myocardium at 120 min reperfusion. The morphological changes in myocardial fiber was analyzed by HE staining at the end of reperfusion. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in the coronary flow was determined during the first 5 min reperfusion. The myocardial mitochondria was isolated and extracted for measuring a series of indicators of mitochondrial oxidative stress,including superoxide dismutase (SOD),methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) at the end of reperfusion. Western blot was used to determine the expression of caspase3 and cytochrome c at 10 min reperfusion. RESULTS Compared with the control group,IR group significantly decreased in cardiac function,the level of LVDP and SOD activity and induced an enlarged infarct size ( P<0.01),accompanied by the disordered arrangement of myocardial cells,the content of MDA was increased ( P<0.01),the content of caspase3 and cytochrome c were also upregulated ( P<0.01). 10 μmol/L CAP significantly attenuated these effects induced by ischemia reperfusion injury,levels of LVDP and infarct size at the end of reperfusion were significantly improved( P<0.01),nevertheless levels of LVEDP and MDA at the end of reperfusion and LDH were down-regulated markedly ( P<0.01),the content of caspase-3 and cytochrome c were also decreased ( P<0.01). CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that CAP can suppresses cell apoptosis and necrosis,and alleviate heart function and cell survival from ischemia reperfusion injury through attenuating mitochondrial oxidative stress.
Letter to the Editor - Allocation of Launch Vehicles to Space Missions: A Fixed-Cost Transportation Problem

The problem of assigning launch vehicles to space missions can be formulated as the fixed cost transportation problem treated by Croes and Healy in which there are unlimited supplies and fixed costs incurred for positive flow from the sources. The branch-and-bound technique of Little, et al., is used to obtain minimum cost solutions. The application to the space transportation problem is discussed and an example is worked out.
A Fast Algorithm for Sorting and Counting Third-Order Intermodulation Products

This paper presents a fast algorithm that performs a selective counting of the third-order intermodulation products generated when several carriers of various types are transmitted through a common nonlinear device. In deriving the algorithm, the carrier configuration and the frequency distribution of intermodulation products are both described by polynomials which are related to each other. The frequency distributions of third-order intermodulation products of the various kinds are then obtained with the aid of an FFT algorithm and a numerical method for solving a set of linear equations. When compared to a direct counting procedure, the proposed algorithm has presented a drastic reduction on the required Computational effort. This advantage is particularly important when the number of carriers sharing the nonlinearity is large. In an example with 1366 carriers of three different types sharing the nonlinearity, the CPU time was reduced from 7 h 46 min. down to 52 s.
Secondary Hypertension: Interfering Substances

A variety of therapeutic agents or chemical substances can induce either a transient or persistent increase in blood pressure or interfere with the blood pressure‐lowering effects of antihypertensive drugs. Some agents either cause sodium retention and extracellular volume expansion or directly or indirectly activate the sympathetic nervous system. Other substances act directly on arteriolar smooth muscle or do not have a defined mechanism of action. Some medications that usually lower blood pressure may paradoxically increase blood pressure, and an increase in pressure may be encountered after their discontinuation. In general, these pressure increases are small and transient; however, severe hypertension involving encephalopathy, stroke, and irreversible renal failure have been reported. Careful evaluation of a patient's drug regimen may identify chemically induced hypertension and obviate unnecessary evaluation and direct to the optimal antihypertensive therapy. The present review summarizes the therapeutic agents or chemical substances that elevate blood pressure and their mechanisms of action.
Is NaHCO3 an antiaging elixir?

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have shortened lifespans, vascular calcification, and is also characterized by klotho deficiency. The k1/k1 mouse is a model of klotho deficiency which also has shortened lifespan and tissue, including vascular, calcification and so might be a model in which to test interventions purported to increase lifespan shortened by chronic diseases like CKD. Leibrock et al report that NaHCO3 supplementation reduced vascular calcification and increases lifespan of the k1/k1 mouse without correcting some cardinal features of this model like increased plasma levels of 1, 25 OH vitamin D and hypercalcemia. These studies support further exploration of NaHCO3 therapy as an anti-aging intervention.
Dynamical test of phase transition order.

The dynamics of the interface between an ordered phase, characterized by an order parameter y and a disordered phase where @=0, provide a promising, powerful tool to distinguish between continuous or second-order and weakly first-order phase transitions. %'e apply this idea to the nematic-smectic-2 transition and find that this transition is weakly first order even when the latent heat is too small to mea-sure. Distinguishing an order-disorder transition that is weakly first order from one that is continuous can be diIIIicult.
Testing MR Safety and Compatibility

Magnetic resonance (MR) safety and compatibility are important issues for all medical implants, surgical tools, and electronic or mechatronic equipment to be used within an MR environment. MR testing of medical devices is required for device approval by regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Union (EU) Notified Bodies. Different robotic and manipulator systems have been developed for use with MR imaging (MRI). This article provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of MR safety and compatibility issues and updates the discussion on existing MR testing methods with an overview on medical robotic and manipulator devices. These tests will increase the safety of the patient and provide MR operators and device manufacturers with important information and, thus, broaden the field of interventional MRI.
Grey level granulometry for histological image analysis of plant tissues

M. -F. Devaux and D. Legland 1 INRA, UR1268 Biopolymers – Interactions and Assemblies, 44300 Nantes, France 2 INRA, UMR782 Food Process Engineering and Microbiology, 78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France 3 AgroParisTech, UMR782 Food Process Engineering and Microbiology, 78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France 4 INRA, UMR 1318 Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, 78026 Versailles, France 5 AgroParisTech, Institut Jean-Pierre Bourgin, 78026 Versailles, France
Prion Diseases and their Prpsc-Based Molecular Diagnostics

Prion diseases, also known as Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), are fatal neurodegenerative disorders with characteristic sponge-like microscopic appearance in the infected brain. They are caused by a protein-only particle consisting of an abnormal isoform (PrPSc) of the normal ubiquitous cellular prion protein PrPc. Prion diseases affect both human and animals, and can cause interspecies Corbiere. In humans, there are six different phonotypes of prion diseases, including kuru disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Gerstmann- Straussler-Scheinker (GSS) syndrome, Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI), variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) and variably protease sensitive prionopathy (VPSPr). There are five well-studied prion diseases in herbivorous animals and carnivorous animals, including scrapie, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy (TME), and Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy (FSE). As the pathogen of the diseases, PrPSc accumulates in tissues and body fluids of the affected individuals, and serves as the most reliable marker for diagnosis of prion diseases. The bioassay, immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests have been used in prion disease diagnosis and surveillance, but they are not sufficient for the preclinical diagnosis. The newly improved in vitro PrPSc amplification methods, such as protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), amyloid seeding assay (ASA), and real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QUIC), showed greatly increased sensitivity. Recently, RT-QUIC and PMCA were applied to noninvasive tests targeting PrPSc in urine or nasal swab, making early diagnosis and surveillance of prion diseases become more practical.