Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of feeding broiler chickens on diets contained semi-refined or frying sunflower oil on their growth performance and carcass traits.

Because of high cost of refined vegetable oil as feed energy source for poultry and successful results with dietary supplementation of some refining oil wastes for broilers, finding of energy feeds alternatives for poultry nutrition seems to be essential. The current experiment was conducted to compare the growth performance of broilers fed control diets contained refined sunflower oil as energy source with other two groups fed diets contained frying oil or acidulated soap stock as energy sources. They fed on isocaloric starter, grower, and finisher diets contained 2.5%, 3%, and 3.5% of these energy sources at 0-14 days, 14-28, and 28-42 day of age, respectively. No significant difference were obtained for different parameters of growth performance, carcass parts and traits of groups fed diets contained refined sunflower oil or frying oil or acidulated soap stock of sunflower oil waste. An increased plasma HDL and reduced plasma VLDL for groups fed diets contained frying oil or acidulated soap stock. A negative relationship between plasma cholesterol and triglyceride values was observed in the groups fed diets contained frying oil or acidulated soap stock and the control birds fed diets contained refined sunflower oil. Furthermore, plasma malondialdehyde concentrations increased in the birds fed diets contained frying oil and those fed diets contained acidulated soap stock compared to the control group. It was concluded that normal frying sunflower oils and acidulated soap stock of sunflower oils can be used as economic alternative feed oils for quality refined sunflower oils as energy sources in the broiler`s diets.
Integral Equation Formulations for Characteristic Modes of Dielectric and Magnetic Bodies

Five types of surface integral equation (IE) formulations are presented to determine the characteristic modes of dielectric and magnetic bodies. It should be noted that these five formulations are derived in a unified manner. Instead of directly using the IE coefficient matrices of scattering problems, this paper presents the formulations in a more natural and rigorous way. The IE formulations result in the generalized real symmetric eigenvalue equations for the characteristic modes. It is found that the eigenvalues of the first four formulations indicate the negative or positive imaginary part of the complex power of the characteristic modes, which are zero at resonance. The first two IE formulations result in two new generalized eigenvalue equations, while the last three IE formulations lead to the same generalized eigenvalue equations as in the references. Moreover, the first two formulations can be immune from spurious modes from which the third and fourth formulations suffer.
Caractérisation moléculaire de 188 souches de Staphylococcus aureus responsables de bactériémies au CHU de Grenoble sur l’année 2013

Les bacteriemies a Staphylococcus aureus sont synonymes d'infection grave et amenent parfois le patient au deces. En 2013, nous avons observe une augmentation de ce type d'infection au CHU de Grenoble par rapport a l'annee precedente (+29%) ; cette tendance s'est d'ailleurs confirmee en 2014. L'objectif de ce travail etait a la fois d'etudier la population concernee par l'infection eh 2013 et de caracteriser sur le plan moleculaire les souches de S. aureus mises en cause, afin de mettre en evidence des facteurs de risque lies a l'hote et/ou d'identifier un clone particulierement virulent et ainsi mettre en œuvre dans le futur des actions adaptees visant a enrayer le phenomene. Sur le plan clinique, notre etude n'a pas montre de nouveau facteur de risque. Sur le plan biologique, 188 isolats de S. aureus (179 SASM et 9 SARM) sur les 199 bacteriemies correspondantes ont ete caracterises selon la methode du spa typing. Parmi les 108 spa type identifies, t571, t002, t008 et t084 sont les plus frequents. Aucun clone majoritaire n'a ete mis en evidence. Grâce a ce travail mene en collaboration avec l'equipe d'infectiologie, nous avons ainsi demontre qu'il n'y avait pas de nouveau facteur de risque lie a l'hote, ni de clone emergent au CHU de Grenoble pour l'annee 2013. Sur le versant microbiologique, il serait interessant d'affiner la caracterisation moleculaire de nos souches afin de connaitre le profil toxinique et d'autres facteurs de virulence.
Exercise and Eating Disorders in College-Aged Women: Profiling Excessive Exercisers

This study examined associations among excessive exercise, eating disorders, and selected psychological characteristics in college women ( N = 586). Participants were recruited from university classes and administered the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire, Eating Disorders Inventory--2, Bulimia Test-Revised, and other psychosocial measures. Results indicated that obligatory exercise is best viewed as multidimensional. These dimensions were used, through cluster analysis, to generate a typology of exercisers. One identified group clearly manifested eating disorder traits and behaviors, as well as signs of psychological disturbance. Another group who exercised with equal intensity but less emotional fixation showed the fewest signs of eating disorders and psychological distress.
Role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in the gastrointestinal tract

The pathological association between leucocytes and gastrointestinal diseases has long been recognized. Chemokines are a large family of chemotactic cytokines whose fundamental role is the recruitment of leucocytes to tissues. Although chemokines and their receptors are considered to be mediators of inflammation and tissue injury in several inflammatory diseases, their precise role in the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal diseases remains incompletely understood. Nonetheless, by virtue of their expression and localization at sites of gastrointestinal tissue injury and inflammation, a number of investigators have suggested a vital role for chemokines and their receptors in the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal diseases. This short review examines the role of chemokines and their receptors in the gastrointestinal tract with an emphasis on their involvement in the regulation of intestinal and hepatic inflammation.
Neonatal Hypoxia Triggers Transient Apoptosis Followed by Neurogenesis in the Rat CA1 Hippocampus

Continuous generation of new neurons has been demonstrated in the adult mammalian brain, and this process was shown to be stimulated by various pathologic conditions, including cerebral ischemia. Because brain oxygen deprivation is particularly frequent in neonates and represents the primary event of asphyxia, we analyzed long-term consequences of transient hypoxia in the newborn rat. Within 24 h after birth, animals were exposed to 100% N2 for 20 min at 36°C, and temporal changes in the vulnerable CA1 hippocampus were monitored. Cell density measurements revealed delayed cell death in the pyramidal cell layer reflecting apoptosis, as shown by characteristic nuclear morphology and expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3. Neuronal loss was confirmed by reduced density of neuron-specific enolase (NSE)–labeled cells, and peaked by 1 wk post insult, to reach 27% of total cells. A gradual recovery then occurred, and no significant difference in cell density could be detected between controls and hypoxic rats at postnatal d 21. Repeated injections of bromodeoxyuridine (50 mg/kg) showed that newly divided cells expressing neuronal markers increased by 225% in the germinative subventricular zone, and they tended to migrate along the posterior periventricle toward the hippocampus. Therefore, transient hypoxia in the newborn rat triggered apoptosis in the CA1 hippocampus followed by increased neurogenesis and apparent anatomical recovery, suggesting that the developing brain may have a high capacity for self-repair.
Characteristics of successive loss process

We discuss two characteristics of successive packet loss. Firstly, we show a method of providing a search range of the order for a given Markov chain from investigations of successive packet loss. The process of packet loss is generally modeled as low ordered Markov chains. However, we have to set a proper range to evaluate which orders is better as an optimal order of a given Markov chain. Our method can reduce exceeding the calculation or states of Markov chain and we can find an optimal order in the search range applying our experimental data. Next, we also find one model for the process of successive packet loss. This model consisted of three timed-transitional states of an m-th order Markov chain (m=0, 1, 2). Accordingly, modeling the process for successive packet loss, two long-lived durations such as "quiescent" and "burst" on time scales of hours exist. We propose another new model that categorizes the part of the "burst" more precisely as two parts of low ordered Markov chains.
Unruptured intracranial aneurysms: management strategy and current endovascular treatment options

ABSTRACT Introduction: Unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) have a high prevalence (3.2%) and are increasingly diagnosed with modern imaging tools. The main risk of UIA is their rupture associated with intracranial bleeding with often severe clinical consequences. Areas covered: This review discusses the management strategy of UIAs, based on the large series of the literature (ISUIA, ATENA, UCAS, …), knowing that no randomized controlled trial is available to compare different strategies. The different endovascular treatments are described. Expert commentary: Due to the relatively scarce data regarding the risk of rupture of UIAs, the strategy of management is often difficult to define. It has to be multidisciplinary and has to take into account several factors related to the patient and the aneurysm. Beside the surgical approach, several endovascular tools are available to treat UIAs, that includes standard coiling, balloon-assisted coiling, stent-assisted coiling, flow diversion, and flow disruption.
Micronucleus assay for mouse alveolar Type II and Clara cells

The objective of our study was to develop a micronucleus (MN) assay for detecting genotoxic damage after inhalation exposure in mouse alveolar Type II and Clara cells, potential target cells for lung carcinogens. Ten male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to ethylene oxide (630 mg/m3) for 4 hr via inhalation; 10 unexposed mice serving as controls. 72 hr after the exposure, Clara cells and alveolar Type II cells were isolated using two different methods. Method 1 included a 15‐min trypsin lavage and a 2‐hr incubation of cell suspension. Method 2 involved a 30‐min trypsin lavage, Percoll gradient centrifugation, and a 48‐hr incubation for cell attachment. Nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) ‐staining was applied to distinguish Clara cells. The frequency of micronuclei (MNi) was scored in NBT‐negative cells (defined as Type II cells in Method 2) and NBT‐positive cells (Clara cells). To detect possible differences between the techniques, MNi in Clara cells were analyzed from samples prepared by both methods. With Method 2, a clear increase in the mean frequency of micronucleated cells was seen in the exposed mice as compared with the controls, for both alveolar Type II and Clara cells. However, no significant increase in MN frequency was seen in Clara cells analyzed from samples prepared by Method 1. Based on our findings, mouse alveolar Type II and Clara cells seem to be suitable for MN analysis in studies aimed at identifying genotoxic lung carcinogens. Both alveolar Type II and Clara cells can be isolated using Method 2. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce.

CONTEXT Common pain conditions appear to have an adverse effect on work, but no comprehensive estimates exist on the amount of productive time lost in the US workforce due to pain. OBJECTIVE To measure lost productive time (absence and reduced performance due to common pain conditions) during a 2-week period. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional study using survey data from the American Productivity Audit (a telephone survey that uses the Work and Health Interview) of working adults between August 1, 2001, and July 30, 2002. PARTICIPANTS Random sample of 28 902 working adults in the United States. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Lost productive time due to common pain conditions (arthritis, back, headache, and other musculoskeletal) expressed in hours per worker per week and calculated in US dollars. RESULTS Thirteen percent of the total workforce experienced a loss in productive time during a 2-week period due to a common pain condition. Headache was the most common (5.4%) pain condition resulting in lost productive time. It was followed by back pain (3.2%), arthritis pain (2.0%), and other musculoskeletal pain (2.0%). Workers who experienced lost productive time from a pain condition lost a mean (SE) of 4.6 (0.09) h/wk. Workers who had a headache had a mean (SE) loss in productive time of 3.5 (0.1) h/wk. Workers who reported arthritis or back pain had mean (SE) lost productive times of 5.2 (0.25) h/wk. Other common pain conditions resulted in a mean (SE) loss in productive time of 5.5 (0.22) h/wk. Lost productive time from common pain conditions among active workers costs an estimated 61.2 billion dollars per year. The majority (76.6%) of the lost productive time was explained by reduced performance while at work and not work absence. CONCLUSIONS Pain is an inordinately common and disabling condition in the US workforce. Most of the pain-related lost productive time occurs while employees are at work and is in the form of reduced performance.
Late presentation and management of South Asian breast cancer patients in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to bridge the knowledge gap and improve our understanding of the late presentation and management of breast cancer among South Asian women of non-oriental origin (SA) living in the United Kingdom. METHODS Retrospective review of the breast cancer waiting list data-base held at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS trust was undertaken to identify SA women diagnosed with breast cancer from January 2000 to August 2007. RESULTS We identified 41 (2.5%) SA women among 1,630 patients diagnosed with breast cancer during this period and 36 were included (median age=53.5 years, range=32-84). Only 19% (n=7) were screen detected and 81% (n=29) presented thorough symptomatic breast clinic. In the latter, 66% (n=19) were in the screening age group and 45% (n=13) presented beyond 8 weeks (late presentation). In our cohort, 91% (n=29) patients had advanced disease (TNM stage 2 and 3) resulting in a high mastectomy rate of 61% (n=22). 19% (n=7) died as a direct result of cancer and the remaining 78% (n=28) remains disease free following treatment thus far. CONCLUSION The delay in presentation and poor national breast screening programme uptake among the SA women resulted in advanced disease at diagnosis. There is need for increasing the breast cancer awareness as well as encouraging breast screening among SA women in the UK.
Change Detection of Multitemporal SAR Data in Urban Areas Combining Feature-Based and Pixel-Based Techniques

In this paper, the problem of change detection from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is addressed. Feature-level change-detection algorithms are still in their preliminary design stage. Indeed, while pixel-based approaches are already implemented into existing, commercial software, this is not the case for feature comparison approaches. Here, the authors propose a joint use of both approaches. The approach is based on the extraction and comparison of linear features from multiple SAR images, to confirm pixel-based changes. Though simple, the methodology proves to be effective, irrespectively of misregistration errors due to reprojection problems or difference in the sensor's viewing geometry, which are common in multitemporal SAR images. The procedure is validated through synthetic examples, but also two real change-detection situations, using airborne and satellite SAR data over the area of the Getty Museum, Los Angeles, as well as over an area around the city of Bam, Iran, stricken in 2003 by a serious earthquake
In vitro effects of combinations of antipseudomonal agents against seven strains of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of antibiotic combinations by agar incorporation inhibitory tests and by time-kill tests on seven geographically and epidemiologically distinct isolates of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All seven strains were resistant to piperacillin, meropenem, ceftazidime, cefoperazone-sulbactam, aztreonam, amikacin and ciprofloxacin. METHODS Strains were distinguished by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis after DNA extraction and restriction with SpeI. MICs of the seven antibiotics listed above were determined by agar dilution. The effect of combinations of these agents was determined by agar incorporation tests and by time-kill studies. RESULTS Among the two-drug combinations, the combination aztreonam and amikacin was the most effective, inhibiting proliferation in five of the seven strains. Among the three-drug combinations, the combinations of piperacillin, ceftazidime and amikacin, and that of ceftazidime, aztreonam and amikacin were the most effective, inhibiting proliferation in all seven strains. In the killing tests, the three-drug combination of ceftazidime, aztreonam and amikacin was the most effective. This three-drug combination had bacteriostatic effects on all seven strains 2, 4, 6 and 24 h after drug addition, synergic effects on 2-3 strains and bactericidal effects on 1-2 strains after 4, 6 and 24 h. CONCLUSIONS The three-drug combination of ceftazidime, aztreonam and amikacin may be effective against P. aeruginosa resistant to all commonly used antipseudomonal drugs, and deserves further study.
Removal rates of bacterial cells from glass surfaces by fluid shear

A simple kinetic relationship is proposed to model the rate of removal of bacterial cells from solid surface by a shearing force. The theory is compared to experimentally obtained data for the removal of B. cereus cells from glass capillaries, the shear being imparted by a the flow of medium through the capillary. The critical shear stress required to sterilize the capillary wall is obtained experimentally for a number of industrial contaminant bacteria. The effect of settling time on critical shear stress is also investigated.
Examination of the interaction between FtsZ and MinCN in E. coli suggests how MinC disrupts Z rings

In Escherichia coli the Min system prevents Z ring assembly at cell poles by topologically regulating the division inhibitor MinC. The MinC protein has two domains of equal size and both domains can target FtsZ and block cell division in the proper context. Recently, we have shown that, along with MinD, the C‐terminal domain of MinC (MinCC) competes with FtsA, and to a lesser extent with ZipA, for interaction with the C‐terminal tail of FtsZ to block division. Here we explored the interaction between the N‐terminal domain of MinC (MinCN) and FtsZ. A search for mutations in ftsZ that confer resistance to MinCN identified an α‐helix at the interface of FtsZ subunits as being critical for the activity of MinCN. Focusing on one such mutant FtsZ–N280D, we showed that it greatly reduced the FtsZ–MinC interaction and was resistant to MinCN both in vivo and in vitro. With these results, an updated model for the action of MinC on FtsZ is proposed: MinC interacts with FtsZ to disrupt two interactions, FtsZ–FtsA/ZipA and FtsZ–FtsZ, both of which are essential for Z ring formation.
A imagem dos tribunais de contas subnacionais

O presente artigo expoe a visao que as elites sociais e institucionais tem sobre os Tribunais de Contas (TCs) subnacionais brasileiros. Realizada no bojo do processo de diagnostico e reforma dos TCs, o Programa de Modernizacao do Sistema de Controle Externo dos Estados e do Distrito Federal (Promoex), esta pesquisa revela quais sao os problemas que afetam o desempenho administrativo e a legitimidade institucional desses orgaos fiscalizadores, bem como as suas qualidades, as quais podem ser utilizadas como motor de sua reformulacao. A partir da interpretacao das opinioes dos atores entrevistados, a analise final procura revelar quais caminhos podem ser trilhados para se modernizarem os Tribunais de Contas subnacionais.
Amplitude of the surface electromyogram during fatiguing isometric contractions

Five volunteer subjects held isometric handgrip contractions at specific submaximal tensions until the required tension could no longer be maintained. At the start of those contractions, the amplitude of the surface electromyogram (EMG) was linearly related to the tension exerted; the amplitude of the EMG increased linearly throughout these sustained contractions by a constant amount—about 30% of the maximum. During sustained contractions, brief, intermittent maximal efforts showed that strength declined linearly at all tensions. At 25% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), there was a linear fall in the EMG amplitude associated with the brief maximal efforts, but the fall in strength was more rapid than the fall in EMG amplitude. At 70% MVC, there was no fall in the EMG amplitude in response to the brief maximal efforts, while the muscle strength fell linearly.
Self-Protecting Arrays for Open Drain Circuits

A new ESD protection strategy for NMOS arrays is described and experimentally evaluated. The problem of ESD protection of analog circuits has been addressed at the device/array level. Contrary to conventional rail-based or local clamp approaches this new concept provides for a self-protection capability into the array itself. The self-protecting capability of the NMOS array is achieved by embedding a local SCR region with reversible snapback capabilities and with a stronger dependence of the snapback voltage upon gate bias
Design of a 340GHz balanced frequency tripler

We present a design of balanced configuration frequency tripler based on planar schottky varactor diodes and mounted on a 0.03mm thickness quartz_glass substrate. The Zero-Biased balanced configuration is adopted to simplify the circuit structure and easy assembly, The simulated results shows that the best conversion loss is 11.527dB at 338.4GHz when the input power is 15dBm, the conversion loss are better than 12dB from 330GHz to 349GHz.