Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eddy-Driven Stratification Initiates North Atlantic Spring Phytoplankton Blooms

Early Bloom Trigger Springtime phytoplankton blooms occur when high nutrient concentrations are combined with abundant sunlight and a stratified upper ocean layer. It has been thought that stratification occurs because in the spring, seasonal warming causes the water to expand, making it less dense, which creates a layer resistant to mixing from below. Now, Mahadevan et al. (p. 54; see the Perspective by Martin) have combined observations of the upper water column from the subpolar North Atlantic with ocean model simulations, which demonstrate that the initial stratification can be triggered by the dynamic effects of passing ocean eddies. These eddies can advance the time of the bloom by 20 to 30 days. Oceans eddies can trigger springtime plankton blooms previously attributed to surface heating. Springtime phytoplankton blooms photosynthetically fix carbon and export it from the surface ocean at globally important rates. These blooms are triggered by increased light exposure of the phytoplankton due to both seasonal light increase and the development of a near-surface vertical density gradient (stratification) that inhibits vertical mixing of the phytoplankton. Classically and in current climate models, that stratification is ascribed to a springtime warming of the sea surface. Here, using observations from the subpolar North Atlantic and a three-dimensional biophysical model, we show that the initial stratification and resulting bloom are instead caused by eddy-driven slumping of the basin-scale north-south density gradient, resulting in a patchy bloom beginning 20 to 30 days earlier than would occur by warming.
Detection of African swine fever virus (ASFV) antibodies in pigs in Taraba state north east Nigeria

A serological study was conducted between 2011 and 2013 to detect the presence of antibodies to African swine fever virus (ASFV) in Pigs in Taraba State, north eastern Nigeria. Sixty (60) pig farms were studied. Questionnaires (N=885) consisting of sections related to the farmer and the animal were distributed and blood samples taken to analyze for the African swine fever virus antibodies. All the 60 questionnaires were answered by the farmers, while 885 were retrieved for the individual pig studied. Of the 60 famers, only 13 (21.7%) were aware of the disease while 47 (78.3%) were ignorant (P
Design, simulation and experimental validation of a novel flexible neural probe for deep brain stimulation and multichannel recording

An implantable micromachined neural probe with multichannel electrode arrays for both neural signal recording and electrical stimulation was designed, simulated and experimentally validated for deep brain stimulation (DBS) applications. The developed probe has a rough three-dimensional microstructure on the electrode surface to maximize the electrode–tissue contact area. The flexible, polyimide-based microelectrode arrays were each composed of a long shaft (14.9 mm in length) and 16 electrodes (5 µm thick and with a diameter of 16 µm). The ability of these arrays to record and stimulate specific areas in a rat brain was evaluated. Moreover, we have developed a finite element model (FEM) applied to an electric field to evaluate the volume of tissue activated (VTA) by DBS as a function of the stimulation parameters. The signal-to-noise ratio ranged from 4.4 to 5 over a 50 day recording period, indicating that the laboratory-designed neural probe is reliable and may be used successfully for long-term recordings. The somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) obtained by thalamic stimulations and in vivo electrode–electrolyte interface impedance measurements was stable for 50 days and demonstrated that the neural probe is feasible for long-term stimulation. A strongly linear (positive correlation) relationship was observed among the simulated VTA, the absolute value of the SSEP during the 200 ms post-stimulus period (ΣSSEP) and c-Fos expression, indicating that the simulated VTA has perfect sensitivity to predict the evoked responses (c-Fos expression). This laboratory-designed neural probe and its FEM simulation represent a simple, functionally effective technique for studying DBS and neural recordings in animal models.
Updates in Immunoassays: Introduction

The immune system is one of the most intricate and complex systems of the human body. The cascade of events that occurs at both the cellular and molecular level from the moment foreign matter enters the body is astounding. Once antibodies are synthesized by plasma cells in response to the invading entity, medical laboratory professionals have the ability to measure and identify the type of antibody present by a variety of immunological assays. Detection methods range from rapid latex agglutination assays to enzyme, fluorescent and chemiluminescent assays that can measure both IgM and IgG levels qualitatively and quantitatively. Immunoassays have evolved considerably when compared to some of the earlier methods of identifying antigen/antibody complex formation. The Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion assay developed in the 1940s by Swedish immunologist Örjan Ouchterlony1 is one of the older methods where both antigen and antibody diffuse through a semi-solid gel independently of each other resulting in a precipitation line if the specific antigen/antibody complex is formed (identity pattern). 2 This assay can take up to 48 hours to completely diffuse and render a positive result. To improve turn-around times, assays were designed using electrical currents during the diffusion process to speed up the reaction time. One method developed by Grabar and Williams in 1953 was the rocket immunoelectrophoresis technique.3 In this assay, antigen is added to an appropriate medium, then subjected to an electrical current where protein fractions are separated according to size. Antiserum is then placed in a trough cut into the gel and allowed… ABBREVIATIONS: ANA - anti-nuclear antibody; CBC - complete blood count; CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CLIA - chemiluminescent immunoassay; CMV - cytomegalovirus; CRP - C-reactive protein; DFA - direct fluorescent antibody; EIA - enzyme immunoassay; ELFA - enzyme-linked fluorescent assay; ELISA - enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; FIA - fluorescent immunoassay; HCG - human chorionic gonadotropin; HIV - human immunodeficiency virus; IFA - indirect fluorescent assay; IgG - immunoglobulin G; IgM – immunoglobulin M; RSV - respiratory syncytial virus.
Prevalence of HIV-associated lipodystrophy in Brazil: a systematic review of the literature.

Background: Currently, AIDS is considered a chronic, treatable disease for those who have access to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). However, the decline in morbidity and mortality rates with an increase in life expectancy attributable to drug treatment has adverse effects associated with its continued use, such as changes in the body-fat distribution and metabolic abnormalities that define lipodystrophy syndrome. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the prevalence of and methods used for defining and grading lipodystrophy in individuals living with HIV in Brazil. Methods: The electronic search was performed in Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, and thesis and dissertation databases. Original observational studies that had determined the prevalence of lipodystrophy in HIV-infected patients were included. Results: 103 articles were retrieved, and 16 were included in this review. The prevalence of lipodystrophy ranged between 32.4% and 88.6%. The methods used to assess lipodystrophy were: (i) Patient self-report and physician examination; (ii) patient self-report alone; (iii) physician examination and anthropometric measurements; (iv) patient self-report and anthropometric measurements; and (v) physician examination alone. Conclusion: The weighted average prevalence of lipodystrophy was 53.5%, and the most commonly used method to assess lipodystrophy was the patient self-report and physician examination. Further longitudinal and diagnostic studies should be conducted to determine the incidence and accuracy of lipodystrophy.
Game Coloured Petri Nets

This paper introduces the notion of game coloured Petri nets. This allows the modeler to explicitly model what parts of the model comprise the modeled system and what parts are the environment of the modeled system. We give the formal definition of game coloured Petri nets, a means of reachability analysis of this net class, and an application of game coloured Petri nets to automatically generate easy-to-understand visualizations of the model by exploiting the knowledge that some parts of the model are not interesting from a visualization perspective (i.e. they are part of the environment, and not controllable by the system itself, or they are part of the system itself and therefore we need not worry about them).
Localization of pancreatic endocrine tumors by endoscopic ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND After a pancreatic endocrine tumor has been diagnosed on the basis of clinical signs and the results of laboratory tests, localization of the tumor by the usual imaging procedures fails in as many as 40 to 60 percent of patients. Endoscopic ultrasonography, a sensitive test for small carcinomas of the pancreas, might also be useful in patients with endocrine tumors of the pancreas that cannot be localized by conventional methods. METHODS We studied 37 patients later shown to have 39 endocrine tumors of the pancreas who had negative results on transabdominal ultrasonography and CT. All the patients underwent endoscopic ultrasonography, and 22 also underwent selective angiography. All the tumors were confirmed by surgical excision and immunohistologic examination; they consisted of 31 insulinomas, 7 gastrinomas, and 1 glucagonoma, 0.5 to 2.5 cm (mean, 1.4 cm) in diameter. All but one of the patients were cured of their disease, as ascertained by at least six months of clinical and laboratory follow-up. RESULTS Using endoscopic ultrasonography, we were able to localize 32 of the 39 tumors (sensitivity, 82 percent); no tumor was incorrectly localized. The size of the tumors was very similar (within 2 mm) to that predicted by endoscopic ultrasonography. Among the 22 patients who underwent both angiography and endoscopic ultrasonography, ultrasonography was significantly more sensitive than angiography for tumor localization (sensitivity, 82 percent vs. 27 percent). Among 19 control patients without pancreatic endocrine tumors, endoscopic ultrasonography was negative in 18 (specificity, 95 percent). CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic ultrasonography is a highly sensitive and specific procedure for the localization of pancreatic endocrine tumors. It should be considered for the preoperative localization of such tumors once the clinical and laboratory diagnosis has been established.
On deep holes of generalized projective Reed-Solomon codes

Determining deep holes is an important topic in decoding Reed-Solomon codes. Let $l\ge 1$ be an integer and $a_1,\ldots,a_l$ be arbitrarily given $l$ distinct elements of the finite field ${\bf F}_q$ of $q$ elements with the odd prime number $p$ as its characteristic. Let $D={\bf F}_q\backslash\{a_1,\ldots,a_l\}$ and $k$ be an integer such that $2\le k\le q-l-1$. In this paper, we study the deep holes of generalized projective Reed-Solomon code ${\rm GPRS}_q(D, k)$ of length $q-l+1$ and dimension $k$ over ${\bf F}_q$. For any $f(x)\in {\bf F}_q[x]$, we let $f(D)=(f(y_1),\ldots,f(y_{q-l}))$ if $D=\{y_1, . , y_{q-l}\}$ and $c_{k-1}(f(x))$ be the coefficient of $x^{k-1}$ of $f(x)$. By using D\"ur's theorem on the relation between the covering radius and minimum distance of ${\rm GPRS}_q(D, k)$, we show that if $u(x)\in {\bf F}_q[x]$ with $\deg (u(x))=k$, then the received codeword $(u(D), c_{k-1}(u(x)))$ is a deep hole of ${\rm GPRS}_q(D, k)$ if and only if the sum $\sum\limits_{y\in I}y$ is nonzero for any subset $I\subseteq D$ with $\#(I)=k$. We show also that if $j$ is an integer with $1\leq j\leq l$ and $u_j(x):= \lambda_j(x-a_j)^{q-2}+\nu_j x^{k-1}+f_{\leq k-2}^{(j)}(x)$ with $\lambda_j\in {\bf F}_q^*$, $\nu_j\in {\bf F}_q$ and $f_{\leq{k-2}}^{(j)}(x)\in{\bf F}_q[x]$ being a polynomial of degree at most $k-2$, then $(u_j(D), c_{k-1}(u_j(x)))$ is a deep hole of ${\rm GPRS}_q(D, k)$ if and only if the sum $\binom{q-2}{k-1}(-a_j)^{q-1-k}\prod\limits_{y\in I}(a_j-y)+e$ is nonzero for any subset $I\subseteq D$ with $\#(I)=k$, where $e$ is the identity of the group ${\bf F}_q^*$. This implies that $(u_j(D), c_{k-1}(u_j(x)))$ is a deep hole of ${\rm GPRS}_q(D, k)$ if $p|k$.
The Premammillary Hypothalamic Area of the Ewe: Anatomical Characterization of a Melatonin Target Area Mediating Seasonal Reproduction1

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that the ovine premammillary hypothalamic area (PMH) is an important target for the pineal hormone, melatonin, and its role in seasonal reproduction. In rodents, the PMH is a complex region consisting of several cell groups with differing neurochemical content and anatomical connections. Therefore, to obtain a better understanding of the potential neural targets for melatonin in this area of the sheep brain, we have undertaken a detailed anatomical characterization of the PMH, including its nuclear divisions and the location of neuropeptide/neurotransmitter cells within them. By combining immunocytochemistry for NeuN, a neuronal marker, with Nissl staining in anestrous, ovariectomized, estradiol-treated ewes, we identified three nuclei within the PMH: a caudal continuation of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (cARC), the ventral division of the premammillary nucleus (PMv), and the ventral tuberomammillary nucleus (TMv). The cARC contained neurons that were immunoreactive for tyrosine hydroxylase, dynorphin, estrogen receptor α, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The PMv was also characterized by the presence of cells that contained NOS and CART, although the size of these cells was larger than that of their corresponding phenotype in the cARC. By contrast, in the TMv, of the markers examined in the present study, only fibers immunoreactive for orexin were seen. Thus, the ovine PMH is a heterogeneous region comprised of three subdivisions, each with distinct morphological and neurochemical characteristics. This anatomical map of the PMH provides a basis for future studies to determine the functional contribution of each component to the influence of melatonin on seasonal reproduction.
Secondary production of Apedilum elachistum townes (Diptera: Chironomidae) in simulated reservoir wetlands

The chironomid fauna living on an exotic macrophyte, Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), was studied quantitatively for a year in experimental ponds constructed to simulate reservoir wetlands. A total of 10 species, 2 Orthocladiinae, 5 Chironominae, and 3 Tanypodinae, were recorded. Of these 10 chironomid species, Apedilum elachistum comprised 79% of all chironomid larvae collected on the plants. Annual production of A. elachistum was estimated by the size-frequency method to be 9.9 g dry mass/m2/yr for milfoil surface area, which is among the highest production estimates reported for a single species. Annual production/biomass was 79/yr. Laboratory-reared larvae required an average of 23 days at 15°, 16 days at 20°, and 11 days at 25 °C to complete their development from first instar to imago.
A Database of Non-Manual Signs in Turkish Sign Language

Sign languages are visual languages. The message is not only transferred via hand gestures (manual signs) but also head/body motion and facial expressions (non-manual signs). In this article, we present a database of non-manual signs in Turkish sign language (TSL). There are eight non-manual signs in the database, which are frequently used in TSL. The database contains the videos of these signs as well as a ground truth data of 60 manually landmarked points of the face.
Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone neuronal system of the freshwater snails Helisoma trivolvis and Lymnaea stagnalis: Possible involvement in reproduction

Peptides of the gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) family are present in neural and nonneural tissues throughout the chordate phylum. Although GnRH peptides have been implicated in nonreproductive functions, their primary function is to control reproduction by regulating sexual behaviors and inducing gonadotropin hormone release from the pituitary. Evidence suggesting the presence of a similar peptide in the central nervous system (CNS) of the gastropod mollusc Helisoma trivolvis has recently been provided. In the present study, we examined the tissue distribution of the peptide and found that it is likely restricted to the nervous system. The neuronal system containing the endogenous GnRH‐like peptide is described further and is shown, in part, to innervate the male reproductive tract. Immunostaining in the closely related snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, showed a conservation in the locations of some immunoreactive neurons. Notably, staining occurred in and adjacent to the lateral lobes of both snails. Because these lobes contain neurons involved in the stimulation of egg laying and GnRH staining occurred in additional areas in the Helisoma CNS that are involved in reproduction, we suggest that the endogenous GnRH‐like peptide plays a role in regulating reproduction in freshwater snails. J. Comp. Neurol. 404:427–437, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Feeding point determination for PIFA type mobile phone handset internal antenna

The paper presents a method for determining the best feeding point in the design of the internal antenna of a mobile phone handset. The use of an internal antenna, called intenna, has been increasing rapidly for recent state-of-the-art handsets. The main reasons for increasing intenna usage are not only new design concepts, but also because they have an excellent radiation performance compared with conventional helical stubby external antennas. There are several design parameters for PIFA type intennas, such as PIFA dimension, slit configuration, supporting carrier material and shape. Our study shows that the feeding point is also an important parameter, and bad feeding points can cause 2 to 10 dB gain reduction. The Ansoft HFSS simulation tool and Samsung SGH-X200, SGH-E800 and SGH-X650 GSM/DCS handset models are used for theoretical simulation and practical measurements.
A MLS Linux Prototype Called Lisex Maximiliano Cristiá

In this article we describe the design and implementation of a Linux multi-level secure file system containing access control lists (ACL). The resulting prototype is called Lisex. We implemented Lisex from a formal model written and formally verified in Coq. Also, we have used abstract data types (ADT) to implement some data structures. Hence, we show the methodology that we have applied to program from formal specifications using ADTs.
Una aplicación del análisis de frontera de producción estocástica: el caso de hospitales del subsistema de salud pública de Nicaragua

El presente ensayo tiene por finalidad analizar comparativamente la eficiencia tecnica de la red de servicios de salud hospitalaria, segun SILAIS, mediante la tecnica de frontera estocastica. Esta tecnica consiste en ajustar una funcion de produccion mediante tecnicas econometricas. Los resultados esperados es tener una medida de eficiencia por SILAIS de sus respectivas redes hospitalarias. Para la aplicacion del modelo de frontera estocastica, se especifica una funcion de produccion Cobb-Douglas a la que se le anaden las perturbaciones de ruido (simetricas) y de eficiencia (seminormal) y mediante el programa Stata, se estiman los parametros de interes y se calcula la eficiencia para cada red de servicio hospitalaria.
Assessing intelligibility in speakers with cleft palate: a critical review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE A literature review was conducted in order to investigate three research questions: how is speech intelligibility being measured in speakers with cleft lip and palate? Is intelligibility adequately being distinguished from related measures such as acceptability? Has there been an increased understanding of intelligibility deficits in speakers with cleft lip and palate? Fifty-seven relevant articles published between 1960 and 1998 were included in the analysis. RESULTS The results showed an increase in the number of articles that included a measure of intelligibility or a similar measure. Several concerns were raised as a result of the review, including the reliability and validity of measures being employed, adequate definition and differentiation of terms, and the need to determine speech and nonspeech variables contributing to reductions in intelligibility. Relevant literature on intelligibility from fields outside cleft lip and palate is reviewed, and a number of recommendations are made regarding the measurement of intelligibility in speakers with cleft lip and palate.
Biliary excretion and enterohepatic circulation of paracetamol in the rat.

Within 8 h after i.v. administration of paracetamol (100 mg/kg) to rats, 28.7% was excreted into bile; 1.2% dose as unchanged drug, 14.3% as the glucuronide, 8.2% as the sulphate, 4.7% as the glutathione conjugate, 0.32% as the mercapturate. Rats with cannulated bile-ducts excreted 62.8% dose in the urine in 8 h compared with 83.5% in sham-operated rats. Metabolites in urine were paracetamol sulphate (63.2%), the glucuronide (12.1%), unchanged paracetamol (7%), and the mercapturate (1.2%). Bile containing paracetamol and its conjugates was infused into the duodenum and within 8 h 45.3% was excreted (5.6% in bile and 39.7% in urine). In rats not subjected to surgery, 91.3% dose (100 mg/kg, i.v.) was excreted in urine in 24 h. However, in rats treated twice with activated charcoal or cholestyramine (2 X 1 g/kg orally), urine excretion was decreased to 72.8 and 59.3% dose, respectively. These results indicate the enterohepatic circulation of paracetamol and its metabolites in the rat.
Granulosa cell maturation in the rat: increased binding of human chorionic gonadotropin following treatment with follicle-stimulating hormone in vivo.

The role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in ovarian development was studied in immature rats. Autoradiographic analysis of gonadotropin binding sites revealed that FSH bound to granulosa cells while human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) bound to thecal and interstitial cells in 25-day-old rats. Following 2 days of treatment with rat FSH (rFSH), hCG binding was observed in the granulosa cells of stimulated follicles. Histochemical localization of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity also was apparent in granulosa cells from animals treated with FSH. Granulosa cells from rats treated with either hCG or diethylstilbestrol for 2 days failed to show consistent hCG binding. Isolated granulosa cells from intact and hypophysectomized rats treated with FSH demonstrated a greater binding capacity for hCG than granulosa cells removed from saline-treated animals. These results suggest that FSH administered in vivo may act on granulosa cells to induce or activate receptors for I_H (hCG) and 3β-hydroxysteroid de.
A diversity analysis for block-fading Amplify-and-Forward systems

In this paper, we deal with the performance of nonorthogonal Amplify-and-Forward (NAF) protocols over block-fading channels. In contrast with previous studies, which assume that the channel remains constant over the whole cooperative frame, here we relax this constraint and assume a block fading channel which changes during the cooperation. Despite this additional channel diversity degree, channel inversion amplification schemes are unable to increase the diversity gain of the system due the high correlation between the two simultaneous diversity branches. We propose a fixed gain amplification factor which efficiently uses the additional diversity degree of the channel and recovers the diversity loss associated with channel inversion schemes. The diversity analysis is based on some well-defined capacity bounds which follow the diversity order of the true capacity.