Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In the search of genetic polymorphism of lactoferrin with PCR-RFLP in imported Holsteins in a large Tunisian herd

The rate of subclinical mastitis inferred from somatic cell scores is high in Tunisian dairy cattle. Other than management, susceptibility of cows to infections may be of great impact on the mammary health. Lactoferrin seems to influence resistance of dairy cows to mastitis infections. The objective of this study was to search for genes coding for lactoferrin in imported Holstein cows managed in a large herd in the North of Tunisia. A total of 52 blood samples were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted and all individuals were genotyped for polymorphism of lactoferrin gene by PCR-RFLP analysis. Amplification of the lactoferrin gene fragment revealed an 1143 bp long product by electrophoresis following PCR. After restriction enzyme digestion with HinfI, two alleles were characterized by only one restriction fragment. All screened individuals were homozygous showing the same band pattern in all samples by the PCR-RFLP, implying the existence of only one genotype for the lactoferrin locus. This study may be generalized to cover the Tunisian Holstein population for possible identification of resistant animals to mastitis infection and that have polymorphic lactoferrin genes.
WPT versus WT for a Robust Watermarking Technique

Summary This paper investigates the role of Wavelet Packet transform (WPT) versus the Wavelet Transform (WT) in providing a watermarking technique with higher performance in resisting common signal processing attacks. The same embedding strategy is used for both cases of WPT-based watermarking and WTbased watermarking. Experimental results show the superiority of the WPT-based watermarking in resisting the investigated attacks especially for the case of histogram equalization attack.
Cluster analysis of wind turbine alarms for characterising and classifying stoppages

Turbine alarm systems can give useful information to remote technicians on the cause of a fault or stoppage. However, alarms are generally generated at much too high a rate to gain meaningful insight from on their own, so generally require extensive domain knowledge to interpret. By grouping together commonly occurring alarm sequences, the burden of analysis can be reduced. Instead of analysing many individual alarms that occur during a stoppage, the stoppage can be linked to a commonly occurring sequence of alarms. Hence, maintenance technicians can be given information about the shared characteristics or root causes of stoppages where that particular alarm sequence appeared in the past. This research presents a methodology to identify relevant alarms from specific turbine assemblies and group together similar alarm sequences as they appear during stoppages. Batches of sequences associated with 456 different stoppages are created, and features are extracted from these batches representing the order the alarms appeared in. The batches are grouped together using clustering techniques, and evaluated using silhouette analysis and manual inspection. Results show that almost half of all stoppages can be attributed to one of 15 different clusters of alarm sequences.
Occurrence of Yeast Species in Soils under Native and Modified Vegetation in an Iron Mining Area

ABSTRACT Soils of the Quadrilatero Ferrifero are rich in mineral resources, especially gold and iron. Soil management and mining activities greatly impact soil biology. However, studies addressed to the diversity of microorganisms and their ecological role in the recovery of these areas are scarce. This study aimed to assess the yeast occurrence in soils with natural vegetation (Atlantic Forest, neotropical savanna, and iron outcrop) and areas with anthropogenic modifications (Eucalyptus stand and rehabilitated area) in the Quadrilatero Ferrifero region. We [. ]
Implementation of a calibration algorithm for efficient modeling of direction-dependent and baseline-dependent effects for interferometric imaging arrays in radio astronomy

Implementation of a Calibration Algorithm for Efficient Modeling of Direction-Dependent and Baseline-Dependent Effects for Interferometric Imaging Arrays in Radio Astronomy A. Hokwana Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Thesis: MEng (Electronic) December 2016 This thesis presents the implementation of the Hög bom Clean and the AStacking algorithms. Radio interferometric imaging arrays are subject to various direction-dependent effects, such as manufacturing tolerances of the antennas, mutual coupling and ionospheric delays. Since these direction-dependent effects are different for every baseline, the Fourier relationship between the intensity function and the visibility function breaks down, as the measured visibilities are no longer related to the same apparent sky. This break down in the Fourier relationship implies that the efficiency of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) in computing the backward calculation (visibility to sky) can no longer be employed due to the effects introduced in the gain matrix. A linear model called A-Stacking is used to correct for these effects and provides a trade-off between accuracy and computational efficiency. In this work, FEKO simulations for LOFAR-like and PAPER-like interferometer arrays have been computed with special interests in direction-dependent effects due to mutual coupling of these arrays. The efficiency of the Hög bom Clean algorithm have been investigated and as expected, found to perform better for point source-like structure than extended structure. The perfomance of the A-Stacking algorithm has also been investigated, and a simple trade off between accuracy and computational cost when computing the forward calculation (sky to visibility) is shown. ii Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za
Comparison of intravenous dexmedetomidine and intravenous lignocaine for the prevention of conventional propofol injection pain: A prospective randomised double-blind study

Background: Pain on injection with propofol is a well recognized problem sometimes very distressing to patient. Current study compared the effectiveness of intravenous dexmedetomidine and lignocaine pretreatment for the prevention of propofol pain during induction of general anaesthesia. Methods: Ninety, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I and II patients were randomised into three groups of 30 each, Group D, Group L and Group N. Group D, patients received dexmedetomidine 0.2 μg/kg diluted to 5 ml of normal saline, group L, patients received 0.5 mg/kg preservative free lignocaine diluted to 5 ml of normal saline and group N, patients received 5 ml of normal saline. Intravenous access was secured with 20 G cannula and venous occlusion was applied to forearm using a pneumatic tourniquet inflated to 90 mm of Hg for 1 minute. The study drugs were injected over 5 seconds and after 1 minute venous occlusion was released and 25% of total calculated dose of propofol (2 mg/kg) was given intravenously over a period of 60 seconds. Severity of pain was evaluated using McCrirrick and Hunter scale at 0 seconds, 30 seconds and 60 seconds respectively and then remaining propofol and neuromuscular blocking agent was given. Results: The groups were comparable demographically. There was significant difference in pain scores assessed at 0 seconds, 30 seconds and at 60 seconds between the three groups. Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine in a dose of 0.2 μg/kg before applying venous occlusion by tourniquet for one minute in the same vein before inducing the patient with propofol was effective in decreasing the propofol injection pain when compared to lignocaine in a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg and placebo.
MORPHOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION OF EGG AND CLUTCH STRUCTURE IN AMPHIBIANS

ABSTRACT The first part of this synthesis summarizes the morphology of the jelly layers surrounding an amphibian ovum. We propose a standard terminology and discuss the evolution of jelly layers. The second part reviews the morphological diversity and arrangement of deposited eggs—the ovipositional mode; we recognize 5 morphological classes including 14 modes. We discuss some of the oviductal, ovipositional, and postovipositional events that contribute to these morphologies. We have incorporated data from taxa from throughout the world but recognize that other types will be discovered that may modify understanding of these modes. Finally, we discuss the evolutionary context of the diversity of clutch structure and present a first estimate of its evolution.
The core/shell structure of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots characterized by X-ray absorption fine spectroscopy

Understanding the chemical and physical properties of core/shell nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) is key for their use in light-emission applications. In this paper, a single-step injection-free scalable synthetic method is applied to prepare high-quality core/shell QDs with emission wavelengths of 544 nm, 601 nm, and 634 nm. X-ray absorption fine structure spectra are used to determine the core/shell structure of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots. Moreover, theoretical XANES spectra calculated by FEFF.8. 20 are used to determine the structure of Se and S compounds. The QD samples displayed nearly spherical shapes with diameters of approximately 3.4 ± 0.5 nm (634 nm), 4.5 ± 0.4 nm (601 nm), and 5.5 ± 0.5 nm (544 nm). With XANES results and MS calculations, it is indicated that sphalerite ZnS capped with organic sulfur ligands should be the shell structure. Wurtzite CdSe is the main core structure with a Cd-Se bond length of 2.3 A without phase shift. This means that different emission wavelengths are only due to the crystal size with single-step injection-free synthesis. Therefore, single-step injection-free synthesis could generate a nearly ideal core/shell structure of CdSe/ZnS QDs capped with an organic sulfur ligand.
Compact Dual-Mode Microstrip Bandpass Filters with Transmission Zeros Using Modified Star Shaped Resonator

A modified star-shaped dual-mode microstrip loop resonator with a triangular patch is proposed to design compact narrow band bandpass filters with transmission zeros. The triangular patch is used as perturbation element to couple degenerated modes. The position of transmission zeros can be tuned by varying the size and location of the perturbation element. The coupling mechanism (inductive or capacitive) and the type of input/output feed (orthogonal or non-orthogonal) determine the type of filter response like symmetric or asymmetric. Three highly selective two-pole narrow band bandpass filters are designed using a modified star-shaped resonator with tunable transmission zeros. First, two filters with non-orthogonal feed lines have an asymmetric response with transmission zeros on one side of the passband, whereas the third filter with orthogonal feed lines exhibits symmetric frequency response with transmission zeros on both sides of the passband. Even and odd mode analysis is applied to the dual-mode filters to calculate the position of transmission zeros. Filters are realized using a low loss dielectric substrate, and measured results are in good agreement with the theoretical and simulated ones.
A new cell-based assay for measuring the forward mutation rate of HIV-1

Over 20 years into the ever-worsening AIDS pandemic, genetic variation remains the greatest obstacle for treating and preventing HIV-1 infection. Mutation rate assays for HIV-1 have been reported; however, none measure directly the forward mutation rate during replication of the virus in cell culture while still retaining the ability to propagate and further study mutant proviruses. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to develop such a phenotypic cell-based assay for measuring the forward mutation rate of HIV-1. Conventional r i et. A series o function, a t colonies o termine the t ity o also o cle of viral r is. The new a etic variation o ©
The ability to correct an on-going action : accuracy and correction time in elite fencing

Background and Study Aim: Performing an attack in fencing takes fractions of a second implying that there is little time to correct an on-going movement to anticipate the opponent's action. Studies in the lab evaluated correction times in artificial tasks but stand in shrill contrast to elite sports where via extensive training, motor programs are mastered and perfected. This study aim was to expand the knowledge on the capability of elite fencers to correct an on-going attack on a central target when the target suddenly changes position at random time intervals. Material and Methods: Eight elite fencers ( 7 males, 18.3 +/- 4.66 years) performed a fente at a target as fast and accurate as possible. In 80% of the trials, a new target light was lit during the fente, and the fencers had to adjust their movement to hit the new illuminated target. Correction times were set at 100ms, 170ms, 240ms, 310ms or 380ms before the estimated epee-target contact. The number of successful adjustments and the radial error was reported. Results: With increasing correction times (p<0.01), radial error decreased. Based on the correction times, the inflexion point was determined at 277ms. It was demonstrated that correction time influenced the number of adjusted trials (p<0.01). Fencers were able to adjust more trials when correction times were set at 310ms and 380ms (p<0.01). Conclusions: Correction times in humans, which are often measured in laboratory settings, appear to apply for sports situations as well. A quarter of a second is sufficient to correct an on-going movement in which the whole body is involved subtle but effectively when the target unexpectedly changes position.
EFFICIENCY EVALUATION OF HOSPITALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

SENDEK STANISLAV. 2014. Effi ciency Evaluation of Hospitals in the Environment of the Slovak Republic. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 62(4): 697–706. The paper applies the Data Envelopment Analysis as a deterministic non-parametric method based on the linear programming, to measure the effi ciency of Slovak hospitals based on input and output performance. Managing physician or hospital practice patterns is an important tool to reduce health care costs. State-run hospitals, as decision-making units working in an operating healthcare system of the country, might have some excess resources in the process of providing care. It is also e-health tools which might contribute to the cost containment in them, enhancing fi nally the quality of patient care in the overall assessment.
HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF SPIRULINA IN RENAL ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION IN RATS

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury occurs in renal transplantation, and it could be a risk factor for late renal allograft failure. Several exogenous antioxidants used in prevention of renal I/R injury. Multiple experimental studies demonstrated the antioxidant effect of Spirulina. This study focused on the effects of Spirulina on histopathology of kidney subjected to I/R injury. Methods: Renal I/R was induced in male Sprague-Dwaley rats by occluding the left renal artery then right nephrectomty. Group I was sham operated rats; group II, control (non treated rats); and group III, Spirulina-treated rats (1000 mg/kg BW, orally. 7 days before I/R). Rats were sacrificed 1 & 3 days post reperfusion. The effects of Spirulina on both necrosis and regeneration of kidney tubules caused by renal I/R injury were assayed and scored. Results: Spirulina pretreatment decrease the necrotic injury and improve tubular regeneration after 1 and 3days of renal I/R injury. Conclusion: Spirulina decreased the necrotic activity index in rat kidney after I/R injury and help in tubular regeneration. Keywords: Spirulina; ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury; acute renal failure; outer strip outer medulla (OSOM); necrosis, tubular regeneration.
SMC Scheme for FES Aided Restoration of STS Movement in Paraplegics

Application of electrical signals for reviving movement functions previously disabled due to diseases or accidents is popularly known as functional electrical stimulation (FES). FES over the years have showed improvement capability in movement restoration, gait rehabilitation and therapy. Annual rise in neurological disorder subjects without same occurring in terms of FES based support devices are worrisome. It could be that more refinement is required to pass clinical stages. Control systems used have been continuously improved in order to meet up with the challenge. The study presents the sliding mode (SM) controller for FES induced sit-to-stand (STS) movement restoration in paraplegics. It can also be applied to other forms of maneuvers and applications. The controller shows robustness in reducing perturbations related and superior tracking ability. Ease of implementation in relation to intelligent methods and presence of mathematical model making advanced analysis easier. The linearized model was used to obtain the PID gains and were utilized for the controller gains using the nonlinear. It was further used as the basis for determining the SM controller parameters. Hence, the sliding mode control (SMC) method have portrayed improved tracking and robustness ability for the FES-aided STS movement revival in paraplegics. The study is novel in the sense such contributions have never been explored for FES induced STS movement restoration application. Therefore, it is expected with further investigations that it might help towards attaining clinical acceptance.
Design Optimization of Silicon-based Junctionless Fin-type Field-Effect Transistors for Low Standby Power Technology

Recently, the junctionless (JL) transistors realized by a single-type doping process have attracted attention instead of the conventional metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET). The JL transistor can overcome MOSFET's problems such as the thermal budget and short-channel effect. Thus, the JL transistor is considered as great alternative device for a next generation low standby power silicon system. In this paper, the JL FinFET was simulated with a three dimensional (3D) technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulator and optimized for DC characteristics according to device dimension and doping concentration. The design variables were the fin width (Wfin), fin height (Hfin), and doping concentration (Dch). After the optimization of DC characteristics, RF characteristics of JL FinFET were also extracted.
REMARKS ON FÖLLMER’S PATHWISE ITÔ CALCULUS

We extend some results about Föllmer’s pathwise Itô calculus that have only been derived for continuous paths to càdlàg paths with quadratic variation. We study some fundamental properties of pathwise Itô integrals with respect to càdlàg integrators, especially associativity and the integration by parts formula. Moreover, we study integral equations with respect to pathwise Itô integrals. We prove that some classes of integral equations, which can be explicitly solved in the usual stochastic calculus, can also be solved within the framework of Föllmer’s calculus.
ADSORPTION OF DICLOFENAC, SULFAMETHOXAZOLE AND LEVOFLOXACIN WITH POWDERED ACTIVATED CARBON

INTRODUCTION Pharmaceutical residues are today a relevant topic in the field of environmental technology. There are many different investigations regarding the fate of various pharmaceuticals, but the main emphasis is currently on the removal of these residues. The focus is to prevent the harmful effects of these residues, because we can foresee what chemical substances are formed by different kinds of residues. The aim of this research was to study the removal potential of three common pharmaceuticals with powdered activated carbon (PAC): nonsteroidal inflammatory drug diclofenac (DCF) and two antibiotics, sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and levofloxacin (LFX). To this end, different adsorption batch experiments were determined, which provide information for process engineers in discovering activated carbon treatment steps. METHODS For batch experiments, different solutions were prepared with ultrapure (ELGA) water and a known concentration of the pharmaceuticals under investigation. The concentration was measured as a TOC (total organic carbon). 100 ml of the solutions and 0.05 g of PAC were mixed and a sample was taken in intervals of 5, 10, 30, 60 and 120 minutes (when a stable value was achieved) in order to determine the adsorption capacity dependant on time. The same experiment was then repeated to discover the removal effectiveness and removal capacity, though different concentrations of PAC were added. The best results were achieved in LFX removal, DCF and SMX need a higher amount of PAC to remove the same quantity of drugs. These results give us important input data for future process design. The next step would be an onsite experiment with a pilot plant. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/enviro.2017. 082
Retrospective Investigation of Bacterascites and Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Liver Cirrhosis Patients Undergoing Paracentesis

Objective: There have been few studies of bacterascites among liver cirrhosis (LC) patients, although spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) has been well studied. Moreover, there have been no comparative studies of bacterascites and sterile ascites among LC patients. Therefore, we compared the characteristics of bacterascites, SBP, and sterile ascites among LC patients. Methods: Characteristics of bacterascites, SBP, and sterile ascites were retrospectively compared among 476 LC patients with ascites (547 paracentesis procedures, which included laboratory examinations and bacterial cultures of ascitic fluid) in Japan. Result: The frequencies of bacterascites and SBP were 2.6% (14/545) and 6.1% (33/545), respectively. Serum albumin and total protein levels in the ascitic fluid were significantly lower in the bacterascites group than in the sterile ascites group (498/545). However, no significant differences were observed in the Child–Pugh scores, incidence of type Ð hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), or short-term mortality rates between the bacterascites and sterile ascites groups. However, these parameters were significantly higher in the SBP group than in the sterile ascites group. Conclusion: No significant differences in short-term prognosis were observed among the groups because there appears to be no significant difference in the severity of liver dysfunction associated with underlying LC and the incidence of type Ð HRS between patients with bacterascites and sterile ascites. However, SBP was associated with a significantly poorer prognosis than sterile ascites.
Who’s Cueing Whom?

The 2005 French and Dutch referendum campaigns were characterized by an alleged disconnect between pro-European political elites and Eurosceptic masses. Past evidence regarding elite-mass linkages in the context of European integration has been conflicting. Whereas some scholars argue that political elites respond to the changing preferences of their electorates, others suggest that party elites cue the mass public through a process of information and persuasion. We contend that these conflicting results stem from the reciprocal nature of elite-mass linkages and estimate a series of dynamic simultaneous equations models to account for this reverse causation. Using Euro-barometer and expert survey data from 1984-2002, we find evidence of a dual-process model, whereby party elites both respond to and shape the views of their supporters. We also find that the strength of these results is contingent on several factors, including the type of electoral system, intra-party dissent and voter characteristics.