Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bayesian modeling of microwave foregrounds

In the past decade, advances in precision cosmology have pushed our understanding of the evolving Universe to new limits. Since the discovery of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation in 1965 by Penzias and Wilson, precise measurements of various cosmological parameters have provided a glimpse into the dynamics of the early Universe and the fate that awaits it in the very distant future. However, these measurements are hindered by the presence of strong foreground contamination (synchrotron, free-free, dust emission) from the interstellar medium in our own Galaxy and others that masks the CMB signal. Recent developments in modeling techniques may provide a better understanding of these foregrounds and allow improved constraints on current cosmological models. The method of nested sampling [16, 5], a Bayesian inference technique for calculating the evidence (the average of the likelihood over the prior mass), promises to be efficient and accurate for modeling the microwave foregrounds masking the CMB signal. An efficient and accurate algorithm would prove extremely useful for analyzing data obtained from current and future CMB experiments. This analysis aims to characterize the behavior of the nested sampling algorithm. We create a physically realistic data simulation, which we then use to reconstruct the CMB sky using both the Internal Linear Combination (ILC) method and nested sampling. The accuracy of the reconstruction is determined by figures of merit based on the RMS of the reconstruction, residuals and foregrounds. We find that modeling the foregrounds by nested sampling produces the most accurate results when the spectral index for the dust foreground component is fixed. Although the reconstructed foregrounds are qualitatively similar to what is expected, none of the non-linear models produce a CMB map as accurate as that produced by internal linear combination(ILC). More over, additional low-frequency components (synchrotron steepening, spinning dust) produce inconclusive results. Further study is needed to improve efficiency and accuracy of the nested sampling algorithm. Thesis Supervisor: Professor Max Tegmark Title: Associate Professor, Department of Physics
Comparison of the welfare of laying hens, broiler chickens and turkeys in terms of bird health as surveyed during inspection in slaughterhouses

During the period 2010–2017 we monitored 17 346 183 laying hens, 887 994 167 broiler chickens and 919 843 turkeys slaughtered at slaughterhouses in the Czech Republic. In cooperation with the State Veterinary Administration, we recorded findings detected in slaughtered birds within the post mortem veterinary inspection. We analysed the total number of patho-anatomical findings (of intravital origin) and the number of findings divided into acute, chronic and traumatic diseases. In hens, the total ratio of the number of patho-anatomical intravital findings to the number of slaughtered birds (index) was found to be 0.378. This index of the incidence of patho-anatomical findings in hens was higher (P < 0.001) than that found in broilers (0.016) and turkeys (0.101). The prevailing findings in hens were chronic changes (26.32%), followed by acute changes (5.29%), but also notable were traumatic changes (3.90%). Compared to the findings in broilers which were divided into chronic (0.34%), acute (0.10%) and traumatic diseases (0.02%) and turkey findings which were broken down into chronic (7.60%), acute (0.16%) and traumatic diseases (0.33%), the findings of acute, chronic and traumatic diseases were higher (P < 0.001) in hens than in broilers and turkeys. These findings show that the health condition and hence the welfare of laying hens as reflected in the patho-anatomical findings during the veterinary inspection of slaughtered birds is significantly worse than the health condition of broilers and turkeys. This demonstrates the need for increased care for laying hens both on farms and in transit to the slaughterhouse.
African American College Students' Experiences in HBCUs and PWIs and Learning Outcomes.

This study examined whether African-American students who attend historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have different experiences and perceive the campus climate differently than African American students who attend predominantly white institutions (PWIs). The study also examined whether differences in experiences and perceptions of the environment are linked to differential gains in cognitive abilities. The study used data from the National Study of Student Learning, a three-year longitudinal study of about 4,000 students who entered 23 institutions in 1992. Data were gathered in the fall of 1992 and the spring of 1993 and included demographic characteristics, scores on the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency, and responses on the College Student Experience Questionnaire. Students in HBCUs differed from their peers in both entering characteristics and college experiences in a variety of areas. These experiences, however, were not associated with differences in first year cognitive gains. (Contains 38 references and 3 tables.) (DB) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** AFRICAN AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS' EXPERIENCES IN HBCUs AND PWIs AND LEARNING OUTCOMES PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY Patrick Terenzini TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) by Patrick T. Terenzini Professor and Senior Scientist Center for the Study of Higher Education The Pennsylvania State University 403 South Allen Street, Suite 104 University Park, PA 16801-5252 Telephone: (814) 865-6346 E-Mail: ptt2@psu.edu Patricia M. Yaeger Research Assistant Center for the Study of Higher Education The Pennsylvania State University Louise Bohr Assistant Professor of Reading 'Northeastern Illinois University Ernest T. Pascarella Professor of Higher Education University of Illinois-Chicago Amaury Nora Professor of Higher Education University of Houston U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 117this document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Institutional Research, Orlando, FL, May 1997. This study was supported by the National Center on Postsecondary Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) under Grant No. R117G10037. The opinions herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policies of OERI, and no official endorsement should be inferred.
Restoration of Olfactory Memory in Drosophila Overexpressing Human Alzheimer’s Disease Associated Tau by Manipulation of L-Type Ca2+ Channels

The cellular underpinnings of memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are poorly understood. We utilized the tractable neural circuits sub-serving memory in Drosophila to investigate the role of impaired Ca2+ handling in memory deficits caused by expression of human 0N4R isoform of tau which is associated with AD. Expression of tau in mushroom body neuropils, or a subset of mushroom body output neurons, led to impaired memory. By using the Ca2+ reporter GCaMP6f, we observed changes in Ca2+ signaling when tau was expressed in these neurons, an effect that could be blocked by the L-type Ca2+ channel antagonist nimodipine or reversed by RNAi knock-down of the L-type channel gene. The L-type Ca2+ channel itself is required for memory formation, however, RNAi knock-down of the L-type Ca2+ channel in neurons overexpressing human tau resulted in flies whose memory is restored to levels equivalent to wild-type. Expression data suggest that Drosophila L-type Ca2+ channel mRNA levels are increased upon tau expression in neurons, thus contributing to the effects observed on memory and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Together, our Ca2+ imaging and memory experiments suggest that expression of the 0N4R isoform of human tau increases the number of L-type Ca2+ channels in the membrane resulting in changes in neuronal excitability that can be ameliorated by RNAi knockdown or pharmacological blockade of L-type Ca2+ channels. This highlights a role for L-type Ca2+ channels in tauopathy and their potential as a therapeutic target for AD.
Hierarchical G enomes in a G enetic A lgorithm for C ontrol of a G uitar S ynthesizer

A genetic algorithm system is described which builds on an existing implementation for modifying the parameters of a software-based guitar synthesizer in real time. The current version replaces the standard linear genome with a hierarchical arrangement of genes on a tree structure. Different tree topologies organize into different species; methods for breeding and modifying species are described.
Necrotic enteritis of birds

Poultry clostridia are a serious problem for the domestic poultry industry, which is stated in a number of works by foreign and Russian scientists. In modern conditions, the epizootic situation of clostridia is becoming increasingly tense - the number of outbreaks of necrotic enteritis caused by clostridia increases significantly in a number of poultry farms in Russia, but knowledge of clostridium poultry infection is rather limited. This phenomenon has a tendency to aggravation also due to the fact that many enterprises according to the order of the Government of the Russian Federation No 2045-p of September 25, 2017 “On the strategy for preventing the spread of antimicrobial resistance in the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030” are already preparing to reduce use of antibiotics administered through feed and water. In this case, the producers of the poultry industry, striving to solve one social problem, receive a number of new production and economic problems that require fundamental scientific and applied research to solve them. The solution to this issue may be an alternative approach to the control of poultry clostridia, based on vaccine prevention, the issues of which are currently not studied. Additionally, it is worth noting that the group of poultry diseases caused by microorganisms of the Clostridiaceae family (clostridium) has not only epizootic significance, but also epidemiological one, since it is dangerous for people due to the toxic infection through processed products. In view of the above, the relevance of scientific research on the topic of clostridia of agricultural poultry species is considered obvious.
Removal and Recovery of Phosphate From Water Using Sorption

Sorption is an effective, reliable, and environmentally friendly treatment process for the removal of phosphorus from wastewater sources which otherwise can cause eutrophication of receiving waters. Phosphorus in wastewater, if economically recovered, can partly overcome the future scarcity of phosphorus resulting from exhaustion of natural phosphate rock reserves. The authors present a comprehensive and critical review of the literature on the effectiveness of a number of sorbents, especially some novel ones that have recently emerged, in removing and recovering phosphate. Mechanisms and thermodynamics of sorption, as well as regeneration of sorbents for reuse using acids, bases, and salts, are critically examined.
Investigating the dynamics of Lotka-Volterra model with disease in the prey and predator species

‎In this paper‎, ‎a predator-prey model with logistic growth rate in the prey population was proposed‎. ‎It included an SIS infection in the prey and predator population‎. ‎The stability of the positive equilibrium point‎, ‎the existence of Hopf and transcritical bifurcation with parameter $a$ were investigated‎, ‎where $a$ was regarded as predation rate‎. ‎It was‎‎found that when the parameter $a$ passed through a critical value‎, ‎stability changed and Hopf bifurcation occured‎. ‎Biologically‎, ‎the population is positive and bounded‎. ‎In the present article‎, ‎it was also shown that the model was bounded and that it had the positive solution‎. ‎Moreover‎, ‎the current researchers came to the conclusion that althought‎ ‎the disease was present in the system‎, ‎none of the species would be extinct‎. ‎In other words‎, ‎the system was persistent‎. ‎Important thresholds‎, R_{0}‎, ‎R_{1} and R_{2}‎, ‎were identified in the study‎. ‎This theoretical study indicated that under certain conditions of R_{0}‎, ‎R_{1} and R_{2}‎, ‎the disease remained in the system or disappeared‎.
Functional divergence of the bitter receptor TAS2R38 in Sulawesi macaques

Abstract Bitter perception is mediated by G protein‐coupled receptors TAS2Rs and plays an important role in avoiding the ingestion of toxins by inducing innate avoidance behavior in mammals. One of the best‐studied TAS2Rs is TAS2R38, which mediates the perception of the bitterness of synthetic phenylthiocarbamide (PTC). Previous studies of TAS2R38 have suggested that geographical separation enabled the independent divergence of bitter taste perception. The functional divergence of TAS2R38 in allopatric species has not been evaluated. We characterized the function of TAS2R38 in four allopatric species of Sulawesi macaques on Sulawesi Island. We found variation in PTC taste perception both within and across species. In most cases, TAS2R38 was sensitive to PTC, with functional divergence among species. We observed different truncated TAS2R38s that were not responsive to PTC in each species of Macaca nigra and M. nigrescens due to premature stop codons. Some variants of intact TAS2R38 with an amino acid substitution showed low sensitivity to PTC in M. tonkeana. Similarly, this intact TAS2R38 with PTC‐low sensitivity has also been found in humans. We detected a shared haplotype in all four Sulawesi macaques, which may be the ancestral haplotype of Sulawesi macaques. In addition to shared haplotypes among Sulawesi macaques, other TAS2R38 haplotypes were species‐specific. These results implied that the variation in TAS2R38 might be shaped by geographical patterns and local adaptation. OPEN RESEARCH BADGES This article has earned an Open Data Badge for making publicly available the digitally‐shareable data necessary to reproduce the reported results. The data is available at https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.908jf3r.
Preparation and physicochemical characterization of meloxicam orally fast disintegration tablet using its solid dispersion

Meloxicam (MLX) is a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug that is prescribed in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. MLX is practically insoluble in water and exhibits a slow onset of action. In this study, MLX solid dispersions (MLX SDs) were prepared to improve the water solubility of this poorly water-soluble drug. Then orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) of MLX were developed using MLX SD to decrease the onset of action of this drug. MLX, poloxamer 188, and crospovidone of different ratios were melted in molten poloxamer 188 as a hydrophilic carrier. The optimum SD with the highest saturation solubility in water (13.09±0.34 microgram/mL) consisting of MLX: poloxamer 188: crospovidone in the ratio of 1:2:0 was used for the preparation of MLX ODTs. MLX ODTs were prepared by the direct compression method and optimized by the 23 factorial design. The effect of the superdisintegrant concentration, the mannitol-avicel ratio, and the level of compression force on the disintegration time, hardness, and percent of dissolved MLX from MLX ODTs after 30 min was evaluated. DSC and XRD analysis approved an amorphous form of MLX in SDs. The optimized ODT formulation containing 10% of superdisintegrant, and mannitol and avicel in the ratio of 4:1 respectively was compressed using a high level of compression force. The optimized ODT showed hardness (34.37±2.1 N) and friability (1.26±0.04%). This formulation showed a rapid disintegration in 12.66±2.5 seconds, which 82.66±5.1% of the MLX released within 30 min. MLX ODTs, prepared from MLX SD, could be introduced as a suitable dosage form of MLX with improved solubility and the onset of action.
An enviro-economic comparison of two different CO2 avoidance processes for NGCC-derived electricity

In order to combat the rising carbon dioxide emission level several technologies have been proposed to deal with the challenge. This paper compares the economic and emission performance of two gas turbine based technologies: integration with solar thermal energy (STE) and post combustion carbon capture and storage (CCS). Both technologies are integrated into a natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plant. The comparison is presented using a multi-objective optimisation (MOO) framework to provide the tradeoffs between the increased plant CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emission reduction and economic performance for both cases. This has been performed using a dynamic optimisation methodology enabling the calculation of the net present value of the power plants including real electricity price data along with the variable solar radiation. The economic impacts of CO2 pricing and government co-investment are also analysed to determine the required assistance to achieve the economic breakeven point.
Retrospective Study of High Hemoglobin Levels in 56 Young Adults

Background Erythrocytosis is a frequent request for consultation in the hematologic field. The diagnostic approach is well established in the general population but in a young adult, finding the etiology of erythrocytosis can be a real diagnostic challenge. Methods This is an observational retrospective unicentric study made at the Sherbrooke University Hospital Center, over a period of 20 years (1995 - 2015). Every patient aged between 16 and 35 years old with a significant elevation of hemoglobin or hematocrit was included (hemoglobin > 185 g/L and/or hematocrit > 0.52 in men; hemoglobin > 165 g/L and/or hematocrit > 0.48 in women). Results Totally, 426 patients met the inclusion criteria (over a total of 113,453 complete blood counts) but only 56 entered the study for investigations. The majority of patients were of male gender, 43% of the patients were obese, 59% were smokers and 38% used excess alcohol or recreational drugs. Twenty-five patients had the diagnosis of absolute erythrocytosis. Seven patients had the diagnosis of relative erythrocytosis and no cause could be identified in 24 patients. No primary erythrocytosis was found in this cohort. Among the 25 patients with secondary erythrocytosis, hypoxia was the most frequent etiology identified. Less than half of the patients in the cohort had long term follow-up. Search for JAK2 mutation and serum EPO dosage were performed in 17.9% and 23.2% of cases respectively. Seven patients were treated with aspirin and five patients had phlebotomies. Conclusions This retrospective study reveals an actual clinical management that is often discordant with the current recommendations and a frequent lack of follow-up after initial investigations. Harmonization of management of erythrocytosis appears to be highly desirable.
RIP1 kinase mediates angiogenesis by modulating macrophages in experimental neovascularization

Significance Pathological angiogenesis has been implicated in diverse pathologies. Infiltrating macrophages, especially those activated to M2-like phenotype, are critically important for angiogenesis. Although the role of RIP1 kinase in the regulation of apoptosis, necroptosis, and inflammation has been well-established, its role in angiogenesis remains elusive, despite being abundantly expressed in angiogenesis-related infiltrating macrophages. This study demonstrates that RIP1 kinase inhibition attenuates angiogenesis in multiple mouse models of pathological angiogenesis in vivo and suggests a therapeutic role of RIP1 kinase inhibition in pathological angiogenesis. Mechanistically, the inhibitory effect on angiogenesis depends on RIP kinase inhibition-mediated caspase activation in infiltrating macrophages through suppression of M2-like polarization, and subsequent attenuation of pathological angiogenesis. Inflammation plays an important role in pathological angiogenesis. Receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) is highly expressed in inflammatory cells and is known to play an important role in the regulation of apoptosis, necroptosis, and inflammation; however, a comprehensive description of its role in angiogenesis remains elusive. Here, we show that RIP1 is abundantly expressed in infiltrating macrophages during angiogenesis, and genetic or pharmacological inhibition of RIP1 kinase activity using kinase-inactive RIP1K45A/K45A mice or necrostatin-1 attenuates angiogenesis in laser-induced choroidal neovascularization, Matrigel plug angiogenesis, and alkali injury-induced corneal neovascularization in mice. The inhibitory effect on angiogenesis is mediated by caspase activation through a kinase-independent function of RIP1 and RIP3. Mechanistically, infiltrating macrophages are the key target of RIP1 kinase inhibition to attenuate pathological angiogenesis. Inhibition of RIP1 kinase activity is associated with caspase activation in infiltrating macrophages and decreased expression of proangiogenic M2-like markers but not M1-like markers. Similarly, in vitro, catalytic inhibition of RIP1 down-regulates the expression of M2-like markers in interleukin-4–activated bone marrow-derived macrophages, and this effect is blocked by simultaneous caspase inhibition. Collectively, these results demonstrate a nonnecrotic function of RIP1 kinase activity and suggest that RIP1-mediated modulation of macrophage activation may be a therapeutic target of pathological angiogenesis.