Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Western European N2O emissions: A top‐down approach based on atmospheric observations

We present a 3 year record of continuous gas chromatographic nitrous oxide (N2O) observations performed at the urban station Heidelberg (Germany) together with weekly flask data from a remote continental site, Schauinsland (Black Forest, Germany), and two-weekly integrated data from the maritime background station Izana (Canary Islands). These data are supplemented by continuous atmospheric radon 222 observations. Mean rates of increase of N2O of 0.70–0.78 ppb yr−1 were observed over the continent and in maritime background air (Izana). The well-mixed continental mixing ratio was found to be higher by only 1.1 ppb (Schauinsland) and 2.4 ppb (Heidelberg) than for maritime background air. Specially tailored data selection of the Heidelberg record allowed the changing influence of a regional N2O point source (adipic acid production, BASF AG) to be clearly identified. The radon (222Rn) tracer method was applied to nighttime N2O observations at Heidelberg to estimate mean regional emissions, which changed from (161 ± 32) μg N2O-N m−2 h−1 in 1996–1997 to (77 ± 10) μg N2O-N m−2 h−1 in 1998 as a consequence of 90% emission reduction from BASF. An estimate of the continental N2O flux from southwestern Europe based on further selected Heidelberg data (only well-mixed, late afternoon situations) and observations from the Schauinsland station yielded mean N2O fluxes of (43 ± 5) μg N2O-N m−2 h−1 and (42 ± 4) μg N2O-N m−2 h−1. These results compare well with statistical emissions inventories, when taking into account possible systematic errors of the radon tracer method of 30–35%.
Multicore asynchronous simulation of spiking neural networks on the grid

Dynamics analysis studies of spiking neural network behavior entails the computation of a large number of simulation scenarios. Moreover, when the simulated neural micro-circuits are fairly large, the use of multiple cores in a simulation tends to be beneficial. In this paper we focus on the parallelization of an asynchronous simulation strategy with OpenMP threads and on the management of the neural simulations on compute grids. The first results show a parallel efficiency in the ranges of 0.31-0.98, with hyper-threading disabled or enabled, resp. By using the grid as underlying middleware for performing the simulations, we could generate and manage hundreds of simulation scenarios in an easy way.
Comparison of Plasma Glucose, Serum Insulin, and C-Peptide Responses to Three Isocaloric Breakfasts in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetic Subjects

While differences in glucose and insulin responses to specific carbohydrate foods have been reported, few data are available for mixed meals incorporating such foods. This study compared the plasma glucose (PG), serum insulin (SI), and C-peptide (CP) responses tothree different isocaloric test breakfasts given in random order to eight insulin-treated non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. The test meals were selected from a hospital food exchange list and contained similar quantities of carbohydrate, protein, fat, and dietary fiber. The postprandial PG, SI, and CP responses to two of the test breakfasts (meal A: eggs, toasted wholemeal bread, orange juice, margarine, and milk; meal B: wheatflake biscuits, toasted wholemeal bread, milk, and margarine) were similar (meal A: 104.3 ±, 23.0 mg · h · dl−1, 5996 ± 1108 μU · min · ml−1, and 89.8 ± 25.4 pmol · min · ml−1, respectively; meal B: 104.9 ± 21.6 mg · h · dl∼l, 6268 ± 1161 μU · min · mi−1, and 99.8 ± 26.4 pmol · min · ml−1, respectively). Meal C, consisting of toasted muesli and skim milk, produced smaller glycemic and insulin responses (46.8 ± 8.8 mg · h · dl−1; P < .02, and 4369 ± 700 μU · min · ml−1; P < .05, respectively) than meals A and B and less endogenous insulin secretion (CP response 62.8 ± 19.9 pmol · min · ml−1; P < .05 compared with meal A, NS compared with meal B). The lower glycemic response after meal C could be explained by differences in method of food processing resulting in a decreased availability of starch to amylolytic enzymes, the higher content in meal C of sucrose, lactose, and fructose, which are associated with a low glycemic index, and by quantitative and qualitative differences in fiber. While food exchange lists are generally useful in planning diets for diabetic persons, some modification to current lists may be necessary to take into account the processing method and nature of the carboyhydrates in the food when considering the equivalence of individual food items.
Three Dimensional Gesture Recognition Using PCA of Stereo Images and Modified Matching Algorithm

This paper describes 3-dimensional (3D) gesture recognition using principal component analysis. Existing 2-dimensional gesture recognition systems have shortcomings such as limitation of motion. In order to solve this problem, motion recognition systems using 3D information were proposed. As vision-based 3D information has a number of dimensions as well as a lot of errors, however, it was difficult for those systems to find out consistent characteristics. In this paper, we describe a method of modeling and analyzing gestures using principal component analysis. This method helps reduce the influences of errors that 3D data might have and achieve the effect of dimension reduction. We also propose a matching algorithm modified to reduce the motion limitation in the model-based motion recognition system, and present examples of using the result of motion recognition as the interface for 3D action games.
Focused ultrasound transducer for thermal treatment

Abstract Air-backed transducers have been employed for thermal ultrasonic treatment including both ablation and hyperthermia because the power efficiency rather than the bandwidth is a main concern, unlike a typical imaging transducer working in a pulse mode. The characteristic of an air-backed piezoelectric transducer with a matching layer is analysed, and the role and choice of the matching layer is discussed. An element size of a focused array transducer, appropriate for such thermal treatment, is then estimated, and the characteristic of a piezoceramic transducer element of such a size was numerically analysed using a finite element code. The characteristic of a piezocomposite transducer element is also numerically analysed and its suitability to such a therapeutic array transducer is discussed.
Epidemiology and New Initiatives in the Prevention and Control of Dengue in Malaysia

Dengue continues to be a public health problem in Malaysia showing an upward trend from 27.5 cases/100,000 population in 1990 to a high of 123.4 cases/100,000 population in 1998 during the global pandemic, declining to 31.99 cases /100,000 population in the year 2000 based on notification of clinically-diagnosed cases. There is a predominance of dengue fever (DF) over dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), with the highest incidence among the working and school-going age groups. Major sources of Aedes breeding are at construction sites, solid-waste dumps, open spaces and in factories. Several initiatives have been taken to strengthen dengue control. Some of the initiatives include reprioritizing Aedes surveillance aimed at new breeding sites; strengthening information system for effective disease surveillance and response; legislative changes for heavier penalties; strengthening community participation and intersectoral collaboration; changing insecticide fogging formulation, mass abating and, lastly, reducing case fatality.
Role of the embryonic vesicle and progesterone in embryonic loss in mares.

Characteristics of spontaneous embryonic loss in 21 mares were compared with those of 52 contemporary mares that maintained pregnancy. Embryonic losses were, in retrospect, grouped according to day of loss and length of the interovulatory interval, respectively, as follows: group 1, less than or equal to day 20 and less than or equal to 30 days (n = 10); group 2, less than or equal to day 20 and greater than 30 days (n = 3); and group 3, greater than day 20 and greater than 30 days (n = 8); ovulation was day 0. Mean diameter of the embryonic vesicle in group 1 was smaller (P less than 0.05) on days 12-18 than in the pregnancy-maintained group, but among the pregnancy-maintained group and the embryonic-loss groups, the mean individual growth rates of vesicles was similar (no significant difference). A more frequent (P less than 0.05) location of the vesicles in the uterine body on day 13 in group 1 was due to a greater proportion of small vesicles and for day 18 was due to a greater incidence of fixation failure. Luteal regression occurred at the expected time in 77% of the mares with loss sooner than day 20. Low concentration of progesterone on days 12, 15 and 18, a detected decrease in diameter of the corpus luteum on days 15 and 18, and an interovulatory interval of less than or equal to 30 days indicated that luteolysis was not prevented by the embryonic vesicle in group 1. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
REPMOVES : STORIES THAT A RHYTHMIC INTERACTION DEVICE FOR SENIORS CAN TELL

There is currently an ongoing debate within HCI community regarding the legitimacy of design objects as producers and carriers of knowledge. This paper takes a Research through Design methodological approach to making such an object, RepMoves, with a purpose to explore its use and usefulness and demonstrate how new knowledge can arise while exploring and experimenting with design objects. In this paper, RepMoves is used to address rhythmic and repetitive bodily interaction with music as a welfare technology concept for senior citizens with cognitive difficulties related to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, and in one example, an individual with Parkinson. We show how RepMoves interface was adapted for use in each of these cases, how movements and interfaces were changed, and most importantly, RepMoves' potential to generate knowledge and research opportunities.
The influence of local factors on the prediction of fumonisin contamination in maize.

BACKGROUND Contamination by mycotoxins is a major concern to the maize industry in north-east Italy where maize grain is often spoiled by Fusarium spp. In this work, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone were determined and an artificial neural network (ANN) model suitable for predicting mycotoxin contamination of maize at harvest time was developed. RESULTS The occurrence of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone was very limited, while fumonisins concentration ranged from 163 and to 3663 µg kg(-1) in 2007, and from 333 to 11473 µg kg(-1) in 2008. Statistical data analysis of factors affecting fumonisins concentration revealed that irrigation, chemical treatment against the European corn borer and harvest date significantly affected the level of contamination (P < 0.05), although the relevance of the factors was different in 2007 and 2008. The neural network approach showed a significant correlation between ascertained values and predictions based on agronomic data. CONCLUSION This is the first time that an artificial neural network has been used to predict fumonisin accumulation in maize: the prediction has been shown to have the potential for the development of a new approach for the rapid cataloging of grain lots.
Genetic analysis of nystatin-resistant mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Primary genes, designated as NYSA, NYSD, NYSE, NYSF (dominant) and nysB , nysC (recessive) are responsible for resistance to nystatin ranging from 30 to 80 u/ml. A dominant modifier gene increases the resistance conferred by NYSF from 80 to 140 u/ml and a recessive modifier gene enhances resistance due to NYSA by 20 u/ml (from 40 to 60 u/ml). One nystatin-resistant mutant is apparently cytoplasmic and this ‘mutation’ suppresses specifically the action of modifying factors which increase the level of resistance conferred by the NYSA gene. Interaction resulting in additive levels of resistance is shown by gene NYSD in combination with each of the genes nysB , nysC and NYSE . A model of step-wise increases in resistance due to polygenic primary genes and nuclear and cytoplasmic modifying factors is proposed.
ORF3 as a sensitive and specific diagnostic index for hepatitis E

We explored the significance of the expression of hepatitis E virus (HEV) open reading frame 3 (ORF3) in hepatitis E rat models. We also investigated its diagnostic value. Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were infected with HEV and 10 uninfected rats were selected for the control group. Rats were sacrificed at 14, 21, 35 and 70 days after infection. They were divided into 4 groups: Model group 1, model group 2, model group 3 and model group 4. ORF3 protein expression level in liver tissue, level of adipokines [fatty acid synthase (FAS), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor 2 (ACE-2)], Th1/Th2 cells balance [interferon (IFN), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Th1/Th2] and the level of immune outcome (levels of CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+) were measured and compared among groups. Our results showed that HEV IgG and HEV RNA levels in the model group 3 were higher than those in the other 3 groups. Compared with the control group, expression level of ORF3 protein in the liver tissue as well as Fas and TIMP levels were significantly higher in the model group 3. ACE-2 level was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). In the model group 3, IFN-γ, IL-4 and Th1/Th2 levels were meaningfully higher than those of the control group. CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were obviously lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The expression level of ORF3 was positively correlated with levels of Fas, TIMP-2 and Th1/Th2. It was negatively correlated with ACE-2 and CD4+/CD8+ levels (P<0.05). We concluded that ORF3 expression level was directly related to severity and prognosis, and that ORF3 protein can be considered as a sensitive and specific diagnostic index.
Etudes de la neuro-inflammation périphérique et centrale dans un modèle pré-clinique de douleur oculaire

Les douleurs oculaires aigues et chroniques sont parmi les plus invalidantes et les plus difficiles a traiter. Elles touchent plus particulierement la cornee, tissu le plus innerve et le plus sensible du corps humain. Cette riche innervation provient des neurones sensoriels primaires localises dans le ganglion trijumeau (GT) qui transmettent directement l'information douloureuse au niveau du complexe sensitif du trijumeau (CST). Cependant, les mecanismes physiopathologiques de la douleur oculaire de nature neurogene et/ou inflammatoire demeurent de nos jours encore mal connus. Un approfondissement des connaissances fondamentales sur l'anatomie du systeme nociceptif corneen mais aussi sur les mecanismes cellulaires et moleculaires impliques dans l'initiation et la chronicisation de la douleur oculaire, sont donc indispensables a l'amelioration des therapies actuelles. Des lors, les travaux de cette these se sont donc orientes sur deux axes principaux ; 1) approfondir les connaissances neuroanatomiques du systeme nociceptif corneen en etablissant la premiere cartographie tridimensionnelle des neurones corneens au sein du GT ; 2) etudier les consequences neuro-inflammatoires des voies trigeminees corneennes (cornee, GT et CST) dans un modele murin de douleur oculaire induit par des instillations chroniques de chlorure de benzalkonium (conservateur neurotoxique). Dans l'ensemble, nos travaux experimentaux montrent qu'une lesion corneenne chez la souris induit une neuro-inflammation qui se propage de la peripherie jusqu'au systeme nerveux central, et offrent de nouvelles perspectives therapeutiques pour les patients atteints de douleurs oculaires aigues ou chroniques.
THE POTENTIAL FOR SEXUALLY ANTAGONISTIC POLYMORPHISM IN DIFFERENT GENOME REGIONS

Sex differences in the fitness effects of alleles at a single locus (intralocus sexual antagonism, or SA) have several evolutionary consequences. Among the consequences of SA, polymorphisms at genes partially linked to the sex‐determining region of the sex chromosome pair potentially drive the evolution of suppressed recombination between the sex chromosomes. Understanding the conditions under which SA polymorphism can exist at such pseudo‐autosomal (or PAR) loci should increase understanding of the evolution of recombination between sex chromosome pairs, and can help predict when we may expect potentially empirically detectable allele frequency differences between the sexes. Models so far published have concluded that PAR genes can maintain SA polymorphisms over a wider range of selection coefficients than autosomal ones, but have used restrictive assumptions. We expand the modeling of SA alleles at a single locus with the full range of degrees of linkage to the male‐specific region, to include strong or weak selection and the possibility of different dominance coefficients in the two sexes. We confirm the previous major conclusion that SA polymorphisms are generally maintained in a larger region of parameter space if the locus is in the PAR than if it is autosomal.
Quantitative dielectric constant measurement of thin films by DC electrostatic force microscopy

A simple method to measure the static dielectric constant of thin films with nanometric spatial resolution is presented. The dielectric constant is extracted from DC electrostatic force measurements with the use of an accurate analytical model. The method is validated here on thin silicon dioxide films (8 nm thick, dielectric constant∼4) and purple membrane monolayers (6 nm thick, dielectric constant∼2), providing results in excellent agreement with those recently obtained by nanoscale capacitance microscopy using a current-sensing approach. The main advantage of the force detection approach resides in its simplicity and direct application on any commercial atomic force microscope with no need of additional sophisticated electronics, thus being easily available to researchers in materials science, biophysics and semiconductor technology.
Frequency and risk factors of anthracycline-induced clinical heart failure in children: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Anthracyclines are essential for the treatment of the children with cancer. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the existing evidence of the frequency and risk factors of anthracycline-induced clinical heart failure (A-CHF) in children. DESIGN Medline was searched for articles reporting the frequency of A-CHF, published from 1966 to December 2000. Information about study features, risk factors and frequency were abstracted, and a validity score was given for each study. The potential predictive factors of A-CHF were analysed both within and across the studies. RESULTS The frequency of A-CHF in children was estimated in 30 studies described in 25 articles. All studies have serious methodological limitations. The frequency varied between 0% and 16%. In the analysis across the studies the type of anthracyclines and the maximal dose in 1 week explain a considerable part of the variation of the frequency of A-CHF. CONCLUSIONS Doxorubicin and a dose above 45 mg/m2 within 1 week seemed to increase the frequency of A-CHF. Well designed and executed studies are needed to accurately estimate the frequency of A-CHF and reliably assess the importance of potential risk factors.
Inflammation and hemostasis biomarkers and cardiovascular risk in the elderly: the Cardiovascular Health Study

Summary. Background: There are few studies of inflammation and hemostasis biomarkers and cardiovascular disease risk (CVD) in older adults. Objectives: To assess multiple biomarkers simultaneously and in combinations for CVD risk assessment in older individuals. Patients/methods: Thirteen biomarkers, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), C‐reactive protein (CRP), D‐dimer, fibrinogen, factor VII, factor VIII, leukocyte count (WBC), platelet count, lipoprotein(a), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1), albumin, homocysteine and uric acid, were correlated with incident CVD in 4510 individuals in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Baseline biomarkers were analyzed as gender‐specific SD increments and quintiles in proportional hazards models adjusted for demographics, CVD risk factors and medications. Results: Over 9 years with 1700 CVD events, seven biomarkers were associated with CVD. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs, 95% CI) per SD increment were 1.16 (1.09, 1.23) for IL‐6, 1.16 (1.09, 1.23) for CRP, 1.13 (1.05, 1.21) for D‐dimer, 1.17 (1.09, 1.25) for homocysteine, 1.06 (1.00, 1.12) for WBC, 1.06 (1.00, 1.12) for factor VIII, and 1.07 (1.00, 1.13) for lipoprotein(a). Fibrinogen was associated with CVD in men only (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04, 1.22) and sICAM‐1 in women only (HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05, 1.27). IL‐6 and CRP remained associated with CVD when modeled with WBC. Participants were classified by all combinations of two biomarkers being high or low (IL‐6, CRP, WBC, factor VIII, cholesterol/HDL). All were associated with CVD when cholesterol/HDL was low and none when CRP was low. Conclusions: Seven biomarkers were associated with CVD in older adults, with CRP having some advantages compared with others. Even larger studies are needed to better characterize these associations.
Innate immunity of the human newborn: distinct cytokine responses to LPS and other Toll-like receptor agonists

Human newborns are at increased risk of microbial invasion and display diminished responses to many vaccines indicating a functional immaturity of the immune system at birth. Such altered immune reactivity may reflect the demands of in utero existence, including the need to avoid potentially harmful inflammatory immune reactions. Despite normal basal expression of Toll-like receptors and membrane CD14, innate immune responses of neonatal mononuclear cells to lipopolysaccharide are characterized by markedly reduced release of the pro-inflammatory Th1-polarizing cytokines TNF-α and interferon-γ with relative preservation of anti-inflammatory Th2-polarizing cytokines. Differences between newborns and adults with respect to TLR-induced TNF-α release extend to a range of TLR agonists, including bacterial lipopeptides, and are due to differences in soluble factors present in blood plasma. Soluble factors in neonatal blood plasma suppress TLR-induced TNF-α release from monocytes and efforts to identify and characterize these inhibitors are on-going. Such altered immunity to TLR agonists is likely to alter both innate and adaptive immune responses in newborns profoundly. Definition of the mechanisms underlying distinct neonatal immunity promises to identify novel ways to prevent and treat infection in this relatively high-risk population.