Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aumento de la productividad en la gestión de proyectos, utilizando una metodología ágil aplicada en una fábrica de software en la ciudad de Guayaquil

La ingenieria de software en la actualidad esta llegando a cada organizacion. Oir hablar de ingenieria de software es un tema muy comun, y esto se debe a que las organizaciones estan apuntando a como sobresalir o competir con las otras. Las empresas que se dedican al desarrollo de software necesitan buscar nuevas maneras de desarrollar software y una de las opciones son las metodologias agiles. Estas metodologias agiles en la actualidad estan dando excelentes resultados siempre y cuando se adopte la adecuada, segun las necesidades de las organizaciones. El objetivo de este estudio es poder demostrar que la implementacion de una metodologia agil mejorara la productividad en la fabrica de software que se estudiara. Para esto se analizaran cuatro metodologias agiles mas utilizadas tales como Scrum, Extreme Programming, Kanban y Scrumban. De estas cuatro metodologias mencionadas se seleccionara una, aplicando una guia comparativa bajo ciertos criterios de comparacion, para luego implementarla en un proyecto piloto de la fabrica de software, con el fin de demostrar el impacto de competitividad en relacion al tiempo de entrega del producto final. Demostrando al final de este estudio por medios estadisticos y recoleccion de datos durante la aplicacion del proyecto piloto, que la adopcion de una metodologia agil aporta con el incremento de la productividad de la fabrica de software.
Investigation of Thermal Noise in UTB GOI and SOI Devices

The thermal-noise performances of ultrathin-body silicon-on-insulator (SOI) and germanium-on-insulator (GOI) devices are investigated and compared through simulation in this paper. The figures-of-merit for noise characteristics are considered in terms of the minimum of noise figure (NFmin)and equivalent noise resistance (Rn). GOI devices exhibit better noise performance over SOI counterparts. The reduction in the supply voltage brings more distinct improvements of the noise performance of GOI devices. The dependence of noise parameters on the film thickness and spacer length is also analyzed. The results demonstrate that GOI devices are more suitable for RF and low-noise applications.
School Age Children's Cognition Identification by Mining Integrated Computer Games Data

National statistics confirm that nowadays about 20% of school children have some type of mental health issue, about 70% of adult mental health disorders originated in adolescence, while about 40% have unidentified learning differences that affect their learning abilities. Starting early enough with proper screening of a child’s cognitive skills is critical for improved learning and mental wellbeing. Unfortunately, assessments and treatment can be costly, elusive or conflicting. This paper describes an approach to identifying child’s cognitive skill level that is adopted by an online product called “Think2Learn” developed by OTEP Inc. (Online Training & Education Portal). OTEP uses ubiquitousness of the Internet and attractive features of online computer games to give parents automated opportunity to screen and follow their children’s cognitive development. OTEP presently uses a collection of approximately 100 video games for children to play and while doing so, it records their score to continuously assess and monitor their cognitive strengths and weaknesses. The Webbased tool for identifying cognitive skill level is developed as an integration or data warehouse of a number of relevant data sources such as the cognitive skills categories data, games data, player inventory data and so on. The integrated data are continuously mined, analyzed and queried for proper and quick assessment or
How the three arches of the foot intercorrelate.

BACKGROUND The foot is composed of medial, lateral and transverse arches which, particularly the medial arch, provide it with the ability to function both as a flexible and rigid structure for proper locomotion. Arches of the foot, as well as their effect on lower extremity function, have been studied. However, quantitative data on the relationship between these arches still remain scanty. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to examine how the three arches of the foot intercorrelate. MATERIALS AND METHODS 76 participants (58 males, 18 females) were recruited to participate in the study. Bilateral weight-bearing lateral radiographs of the right foot were taken from each participant. Navicular heights (NH), medial cuneiform height (MCH), calcaneal inclination angle (CIA) and calcaneal-first metatarsal angle (C1MA) were measured to represent the medial arch. The lateral arch was represented by cuboid height (CH) and calcaneal-fifth metatarsal angle (C5MA) whereas; MCH and CH represented the transverse arch. Mean difference of variables between males and females was compared using independent t-test while the correlation between the variables was determined using Pearson correlation. RESULTS All the variables were not significantly related to gender. Significant moderate to excellent linear correlations were observed between the variables. CIA showed the strongest correlation with C1MA (r = -0.90) and C5MA (r = -0.84) whereas, CH had the least correlation with other variables. CONCLUSIONS The moderate to excellent correlations between the variables indicate that deformation or elevation of the medial arch may consequently result in similar movements of the lateral and transverse arches and vice versa.
Scientific Perspectives on Music Therapy

Abstract: What needs to be done on the long road to evidence‐based music therapy? First of all, an adequate research strategy is required. For this purpose the general methodology for therapy research should be adopted. Additionally, music therapy needs a variety of methods of allied fields to contribute scientific findings, including mathematics, natural sciences, behavioral and social sciences, as well as the arts. Pluralism seems necessary as well as inevitable. At least two major research problems can be identified, however, that make the path stony: the problem of specificity and the problem of eclecticism. Neuroscientific research in music is giving rise to new ideas, perspectives, and methods; they seem to be promising prospects for a possible contribution to a theoretical and empirical scientific foundation for music therapy. Despite the huge heterogeneity of theoretical approaches in music therapy, an integrative model of working ingredients in music therapy is useful as a starting point for empirical studies in order to question what specifically works in music therapy. For this purpose, a heuristic model, consisting of five music therapy working factors (attention modulation, emotion modulation, cognition modulation, behavior modulation, and communication modulation) has been developed by the Center for Music Therapy Research (Viktor Dulger Institute) in Heidelberg. Evidence shows the effectiveness of music therapy for treating certain diseases, but the question of what it is in music therapy that works remains largely unanswered. The authors conclude with some questions to neuroscientists, which we hope may help elucidate relevant aspects of a possible link between the two disciplines.
Substrate Specificity of Heparanases from Human Hepatoma and Platelets*

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans, attached to cell surfaces or in the extracellular matrix, interact with a multitude of proteins via their heparan sulfate side chains. Degradation of these chains by limited (endoglycosidic) heparanase cleavage is believed to affect a variety of biological processes. Although the occurrence of heparanase activity in mammalian tissues has been recognized for many years, the molecular characteristics and substrate recognition properties of the enzyme(s) have remained elusive. In the present study, the substrate specificity and cleavage site of heparanase from human hepatoma and platelets were investigated. Both enzyme preparations were found to cleave the single β-d-glucuronidic linkage of a heparin octasaccharide. A capsular polysaccharide from Escherichia coli K5, with the same (-GlcUAβ1,4-GlcNAcα1,4-) n structure as the unmodified backbone of heparan sulfate, resisted heparanase degradation in its native state as well as after chemicalN-deacetylation/N-sulfation or partial enzymatic C-5 epimerization of β-d-GlcUA to α-l-IdceA. By contrast, a chemicallyO-sulfated (but still N-acetylated) K5 derivative was susceptible to heparanase cleavage.O-Sulfate groups, but not N-sulfate or IdceA residues, thus are essential for substrate recognition by the heparanase(s). In particular, selective O-desulfation of the heparin octasaccharide implicated a 2-O-sulfate group on a hexuronic acid residue located two monosaccharide units from the cleavage site, toward the reducing end.
Cardiovascular risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in COPD. There is a high prevalence of traditional risk factors in this patient group including smoking, sedentary behaviour and low socio‐economic class. However, large studies have shown that airflow limitation is an independent risk factor for CVD. Therefore there may be a 'COPD effect' that contributes to CVD in this condition, adding to the body of evidence that COPD has important systemic consequences, as well as being a lung disease. In this article, we review the evidence for CVD in COPD. Next, we examine systemic factors present in COPD, and link these to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, including inflammation, oxidative stress and hypoxia. Finally, we review those studies that have investigated therapeutic interventions in COPD that may modify cardiovascular risk.
Analgesic effects of clinically used compounds in novel mouse models of polyneuropathy induced by oxaliplatin and cisplatin.

BACKGROUND Peripheral neuropathy is the major dose-limiting side effect of cisplatin and oxaliplatin, and there are currently no effective treatments available. The aim of this study was to assess the pharmacological mechanisms underlying chemotherapy-induced neuropathy in novel animal models based on intraplantar administration of cisplatin and oxaliplatin and to systematically evaluate the analgesic efficacy of a range of therapeutics. METHODS Neuropathy was induced by a single intraplantar injection of cisplatin or oxaliplatin in C57BL/6J mice and assessed by quantification of mechanical and thermal allodynia. The pharmacological basis of cisplatin-induced neuropathy was characterized using a range of selective pharmacological inhibitors. The analgesic effects of phenytoin, amitriptyline, oxcarbazepine, mexiletine, topiramate, retigabine, gabapentin, fentanyl, and Ca(2+/)Mg(2+) were assessed 24 hours after induction of neuropathy. RESULTS Intraplantar administration of cisplatin led to the development of mechanical allodynia, mediated through Nav1.6-expressing sensory neurons. Unlike intraplantar injection of oxaliplatin, cold allodynia was not observed with cisplatin, consistent with clinical observations. Surprisingly, only fentanyl was effective at alleviating cisplatin-induced mechanical allodynia despite a lack of efficacy in oxaliplatin-induced cold allodynia. Conversely, lamotrigine, phenytoin, retigabine, and gabapentin were effective at reversing oxaliplatin-induced cold allodynia but had no effect on cisplatin-induced mechanical allodynia. Oxcarbazepine, amitriptyline, mexiletine, and topiramate lacked efficacy in both models of acute chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. CONCLUSION This study established a novel animal model of cisplatin-induced mechanical allodynia consistent with the A-fiber neuropathy seen clinically. Systematic assessment of a range of therapeutics identified several candidates that warrant further clinical investigation.
Image analysis of skin scaling using D‐Squame® samplers: comparison with clinical scoring and use for assessing moisturizer efficacy

The severity of scaling disorders can be evaluated objectively using the D‐Squame® technique coupled with image analysis. The parameters of scaling derived using this approach need to be clinically relevant and should have greater discrimination than visual grading. Improvements to an existing method that fulfil these requirements are presented. Three scaling parameters were calculated using image analysis of digitized video‐captured images of obliquely lit D‐Squame® samples. These parameters were compared to clinical scores of scaling made by five observers from photographs of the same areas sampled with D‐Squame®. In addition, two clinical studies were carried out to assess moisturizer effects on different degrees of xerosis, and to compare two different moisturizer preparations. The three scaling parameters gave correlation coefficients, r, between 0.6 and 0.75 when compared with global clinical scores of scaling. Significant reductions in all parameters were observed with 2 weeks of moisturizer use on lower leg skin with marked xerosis compared to an untreated control. The same moisturizer had a similar effect on milder xerosis of the forearm, and showed a greater decrease than a moisturizer with lower glycerol content. Increases in skin hydration, as measured with a corneometer, were also seen in both clinical studies, and corresponded well with D‐Squame® results. Differences in the degrees of scaling between these two anatomical sites were also detected with this technique. In a previous publication, the same technique was shown to be repeatable and reproducible; in the current article its correlation with clinical observations of scaling or flaking skin has been demonstrated.
Compensated Readout for High-Density MOS-Gated Memristor Crossbar Array

Leakage current is one of the main challenges facing high-density MOS-gated memristor arrays. In this study, we show that leakage current ruins the memory readout process for high-density arrays, and analyze the tradeoff between the array density and its power consumption. We propose a novel readout technique and its underlying circuitry, which is able to compensate for the transistor leakage-current effect in the high-density gated memristor array.
Nontypeable pneumococcal isolates among navajo and white mountain apache communities: are these really a cause of invasive disease?

BACKGROUND Pneumococci could evade pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) by modifying, mutating, or deleting vaccine-serotype capsule genes or by downregulating capsule production. We sought to assess whether pneumococci that are nontypeable (NT) by the Quellung reaction truly lack capsule genes or are failing to produce capsule in vitro. METHODS We applied multilocus sequence typing and a microarray for detection of pneumococcal polysaccharide capsule biosynthesis genes to NT carriage (children aged <5 years; years 1997-2000, 2006-2008) and NT invasive disease (IPD) (all ages; years 1994-2007) isolates from Native American communities. RESULTS Twenty-seven of 28 (96.4%) NT IPD isolates had sequence types (STs) typically found among typeable IPD isolates and contained whole or fragments of capsule genes that matched known serotypes; 1 NT-IPD isolate had a profile resembling NT carriage isolates. Forty-nine of 76 (64.5%) NT carriage isolates had STs that typically lack capsule genes and were similar to NT carriage isolates found globally. CONCLUSIONS This is the first documentation of IPD from an NT strain confirmed to lack all known capsule genes. Most NT IPD isolates have or had the capacity to produce capsule, whereas a majority of NT carriage isolates lack this capacity. We found no evidence of pneumococcal adaptation to PCV7 via downregulation or deletion of vaccine-serotype capsule genes.
Local co-registration for distortion reduction in SAR interferogram using amplitude information - combination of SPEC method and shape-from-shading -

Correcting the phase ambiguity of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferogram is an important process to create an accurate digital elevationmodel (DEM) for analyzing the geometry. The ambiguity often appears as the rotational point in the phase map which are called singular points (SPs). One of the origins of the SPs is the local distortion of the master and the slave, the source of interferogram. To solve this problem, we previously proposed a local co-registration method which employs the SPs as the evaluation criterion(SPEC method). In this paper, we propose an improved version of this coregistration method. This version refers the amplitude information for shape-from-shading technique, which estimates the divergence of the range direction. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the improvement by comparing the DEMs generated from those interferograms.
Gene Transfer Strategies for the Physiologist

Foreign genes can be introduced into whole animals using methods of germline transgenesis and somatic gene delivery. While germline transgenesis can generate useful animal models for genetic studies, it can be costly, time‐consuming and requires the use of a large number of animals. An alternative means of gene transfer is to deliver genes to somatic cells using non‐viral and viral technologies. Non‐viral methods such as naked DNA injection, electroporation and liposome/cation lipid‐mediated gene transfer are relatively inefficient. In contrast, viruses are effective vehicles that carry foreign genes into a cell rapidly and efficiently. Here we illustrate the usefulness of adenoviral vectors to express a potent and specific inhibitor of cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA) to study the role of cyclic 3′,5′‐cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the osmotic regulation of the vasopressin gene in a transgenic rat model. The ability to modify endogenous systems within specific cells in a whole animal model allows gene effects to be studied with physiological relevance. The combination of molecular biology and integrative physiology is a powerful application that can aid in the elucidation of how gene function can translate into complex systems in an organism
Synthesis of [4-(2-Hydroxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl]methanones as Potential Bioisosteres of Salicylidene Acylhydrazides

A focused library of [4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)thiazol-2-yl]methanones was prepared in a four-step synthesis with the aim to obtain potent inhibitors of type III secretion in Gram-negative bacteria. The compounds are potential bioisosteres of salicylidene acylhydrazides that are a known class of type III secretion inhibitors.
The thylakoid membranes of higher plant chloroplasts.

Although it is improbable that the great German writer had the biochemistry of thylakoids in mind when he wrote this, his words could not be more apt. Chloroplasts play a pivotal role in sustaining life on Earth by their dual property in carrying out the primary fixation of carbon and, also (by using water as source of reducing power) in releasing oxygen for use in respiration. A key factor in carbon fixation is the trapping of light energy by the green pigment chlorophyll and the extreme efficiency of the process undoubtedly relates to the unique nature of the thylakoid membrane. In the last few years great advances have been made in our understanding of the molecular arrangement of the thylakoid constituents, but in spite of this our theories about their exact functions remain to some extent 'grey '. In this Review we intend to describe the unique features of thylakoid structure and composition, to emphasize the interactions of different constituents and to suggest and expand ideas for the possible functions of individual components.
Development of an improved chemically defined minimal medium for Listeria monocytogenes

A chemically defined minimal medium for Listeria monocytogenes has been developed by modification of Welshimer's medium. The growth factors required by L. monocytogenes Scott A are leucine, isoleucine, arginine, methionine, valine, cysteine (each at 100 mg/liter), riboflavin and biotin (each at 0.5 micrograms/ml), thiamine (1.0 micrograms/ml), and thioctic acid (0.005 micrograms/ml). Growth was stimulated by 20 micrograms of Fe3+ per ml as ferric citrate. Glucose (1%) and glutamine (600 mg/liter) are required as primary sources of carbon and nitrogen. Glucose could not be replaced by various organic acids or amino acids. Of several sugars tested, fructose, mannose, cellobiose, trehalose, maltose (weak), glycerol (weak), and the amino sugars glucosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-acetylmuramic acid supported growth in the absence of glucose. Evidence was found that chitin and cell walls of starter bacteria (Lactococcus lactis) supported survival of L. monocytogenes, which suggests that the pathogen may obtain carbon and energy sources during colonization of some foods, such as cheeses, by assimilating bacteria or molds that are present.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Thermophilic Bacterium Geobacillus thermoleovorans CCB_US3_UF5

ABSTRACT Geobacillus thermoleovorans CCB_US3_UF5 is a thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring in Malaysia. Here, we report the complete genome of G. thermoleovorans CCB_US3_UF5, which shows high similarity to the genome of Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA 426 in terms of synteny and orthologous genes.
Striato-Cerebellar Abnormalities in Never-Treated Schizophrenia : Evidence for Neurodevelopmental Etiopathogenesis

Background: Preliminary evidence suggests abnormal basal ganglia and cerebellar loops in schizophrenia. Few studies have examined the striatocerebellar system in never-treated schizophrenia. Objective: The study objective was to examine the striato-cerebellar system using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in never-treated schizophrenia. Methods: MRI was done in never treated, right-handed, schizophrenia (DSM-IV) patients (n=15) and age-, sex-, educationand handedness-matched healthy controls (n=15). Right and left caudate volumes as well as cerebellar vermis area were measured using Scion Image software. Psychopathology was assessed using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Results: Patients had significantly smaller right (df=2, 27; F =4.5; p=0.042) and left (df=2, 27; F=4.3; p=0.048) caudate volumes as well as smaller cerebellar vermis area (df=2, 27; F=6.5; p=0.017) were significantly smaller in patients than controls after controlling for intracranial area. Cerebellar vermis area correlated significantly with right caudate volume (r=0.6; p=0.04) in patients but not in controls. Conclusions: Smaller caudate nuclei and cerebellar vermis in never-treated schizophrenia supports neurodevelopmental etiopathogenesis. Significant correlation between right caudate and cerebellar vermis in patients suggests related striato-cerebellar abnormality in schizophrenia (German J Psychiatry
Phylogeny and biogeography of Eupatorium (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae) based on nuclear ITS sequence data.

The classification of the predominantly Neotropical Eupatorieae depends upon the circumscription of the core genus Eupatorium. The recently proposed narrowing of Eupatorium to ∼42 species in eastern temperate North America, Europe, and eastern Asia was tested with phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequence variation in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. A total of 40 samples (36 species) of Eupatorieae was analyzed. Several species from North America, South America, and Eurasia that were formerly recognized within a large Eupatorium s.l. (sensu lato) were included in the study. Other taxa included were representative of the majority of the subtribes native to eastern temperate North America. Parsimony analysis supported the contention that Eupatorium be defined narrowly and suggested that Eupatoriadelphus is distinct. The tree topology suggested that Eupatorium and Eupatoriadelphus share a common North American ancestor with Liatris relative to other Eupatorieae. It was apparent that the presumed sister taxa in Eupatoriinae from South America belong to a different clade. These results suggest that, following initial divergence in North America, Eupatorium reached Europe via dispersal during the late Pliocene with subsequent radiation in Asia.