Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CONFIRMATION OF THE PLANET AROUND HD 95086 BY DIRECT IMAGING

VLT/NaCo angular differential imaging at L′ (3.8 μm) revealed a probable giant planet comoving with the young and early-type HD 95086, also known to harbor an extended debris disk. The discovery was based on the proper motion analysis of two datasets spanning 15 months. However, the second dataset suffered from bad atmospheric conditions, which limited the significance of the re-detection at the 3σ level. In this Letter, we report new VLT/NaCo observations of HD 95086 obtained on 2013 June 26 and 27 at L′ to recover the planet candidate. We unambiguously re-detect the companion HD 95086 b with multiple independent pipelines at a signal-to-noise ratio greater than or equal to 5. Combined with previously reported measurements, our astrometry decisively shows that the planet is comoving with HD 95086 and inconsistent with a background object. With a revised mass of 5 ± 2 Jupiter masses, estimated from its L′ photometry and “hot-start” models at 17 ± 4 Myr, HD 95086 b becomes a new benchmark for further physical and orbital characterization of young giant planets.
Sundowning Syndrome and Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis Dysregulation in Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease: Is There an Association?

To the Editor: Sundowning syndrome (SDS) in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a clinical phenomenon characterized by the intensification of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the late afternoon. This behavioral disorder is common in subjects with advanced dementia, with an incidence of 25%. Despite extensive clinical literature on the features of SDS, the etiology of this neuropsychiatric manifestation remains unknown. Limited exposure to sunlight, disordered circadian rhythm, low levels of melatonin, sleep disturbances, and the side effects of various medications have been proposed as potential triggers of SDS, although there is strong evidence that AD is associated with irregular glucocorticoid secretion, primarily caused by dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis) and consequently likely to contribute to the behavioral disorders that individuals with AD exhibit. It is not clear whether the high prevalence of HPA-axis dysfunction in individuals with AD is associated with SDS, so the aim of this study was to investigate the potential associations between HPA axis dysregulation and SDS in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Fifty-one individuals with a clinically confirmed diagnosis of severe AD were selected from among nursing home residents of the Mons Mazzali Geriatric Institute, Mantua, Italy. An additional 24 aged-matched individuals with no symptoms of dementia or depression were selected as controls. Individuals with AD and controls were assessed on separate days. On Day 1, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was administered, a health history was taken, a physical examination was performed, blood pressure was measured, and a blood sample was taken. To evaluate changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms throughout the day, on Days 2 and 3, a battery of neuropsychological tests was performed in the morning at 7:00 a.m. and at sunset. An increase in neuropsychiatric symptoms of more than 15% between morning and sunset was regarded as an indicator of SDS. The neuropsychological evaluation battery consisted of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), to measure the person’s behavior, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), to evaluate depression symptoms. Saliva samples were collected on Days 4 and 5 using collection devices (Sarstedt Salivette, N€ umbrecht, Germany). Samples were collected at 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. , 8:00 p.m. , midnight, and sunset. Samples were centrifuged for 2 minutes at 1,000 revolutions per minute, and purified saliva was stored at 20°C until it was analyzed in blind way using a cortisol assay on an immunoanalyzer system (ROCHE COBAS 6000; Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). The relationship between cortisol levels and changes in neuropsychiatric
Chemoprevention of Colorectal Cancer

Investigations into compounds that have demonstrated effectiveness against the carcinogenesis process have a rather long history. Studies of animal tumor models have progressively grown in number; several compounds have been demonstrated to be active and the multiplicity of experimental models has progressively increased. Sporn and Newton have introduced the concept of cancer chemoprevention in humans (1). This has rapidly become one of the most promising fields in experimental and clinical oncology.
Bio-inspired optimal control via intermittent cooperation

We investigate the solution of a large class of fixed-final-state optimal control problems by a group of cooperating dynamical systems. We present a pursuit-based algorithm, inspired by the foraging behavior of ants that requires each system-member of the group to solve a finite number of optimization problems as it follows other members of the group from a starting to a final state. Our algorithm, termed "sampled local pursuit", is iterative and leads the group to a locally optimal solution, starting from an initial feasible trajectory. The proposed algorithm is broad in its applicability and generalizes previous results. It requires only short-range sensing and limited interactions between group members, and avoids the need for a "global map" of the environment or manifold on which the group evolves. We include simulations that illustrate the performance of our algorithm.
CITY OF LIGHTS: The Lamps of Roman and Byzantine Jerusalem

This article examines the ceramic oil lamps of Jerusalem during the Roman and Byzantine eras (63 b.c.e. to 640 c.e.). Following an overview of the importance of lamps to their ancient users and modern archaeologists, it demonstrates how the history of Jerusalem can be illuminated through the development of its lamps. This paper examines the forms, decorations, and chronology of the most prominent types — the Herodian, Decorated Discus, Beit Nattif, and Slipper Lamps. Bringing the artifacts into conversation with texts demonstrates that early Jewish and Christian writings attribute a number of meanings to lamps due to their function as repositories of light. Jerusalem is included within this matrix of symbols, as the city that both produces and receives a special divine light. This article demonstrates how lamps can shed light on materiality, the use of symbols, and the early histories of Christianity and rabbinic Judaism.
Características clínicas, espirométricas y radiológicas de los trabajadores expuestos al amianto en el área sanitaria de Ferrol: experiencia de una consulta monográfica de vigilancia post-ocupacional : Febrero 2002-Febrero 2009

Introduccion: El amianto o asbesto es un silicato utilizado en la industria naval que causa patologia pleuro-pulmonar. En Ferrol se encuentran algunos de los astilleros mas importantes de Espana. Objetivo: Conocer las caracteristicas clinicas, espirometricas y radiologicas de los trabajadores expuestos al asbesto del area sanitaria de Ferrol tras acudir a una consulta monografica de vigilancia post-ocupacional. Metodos: Estudio transversal que incluye a todos los trabajadores que acudieron a una primera consulta entre febrero de 2002 y febrero de 2009. Se recogia historia laboral, habito tabaquico, enfermedad previa neumologica, sintomas, pruebas de funcion respiratoria (PFR) y estudio radiologico con radiografia de torax y tomografia computarizada de alta resolucion (TCAR). Resultados: Se analizaron 681 trabajadores. Edad media: 65 anos. Tiempo medio de exposicion: 20 anos. Tiempo medio de latencia: 41 anos. Habito tabaquico: 72,3%. Numero medio cigarrillos/dia: 24,89. El 30,3% tienen algun antecedente neumologico. El sintoma mas frecuente fue la disnea (53,74%). Las PFR presentaron unos valores medios normales. El 70,7% presentaron alguna alteracion radiologica siendo la mas frecuente la pleural. Se diagnosticaron 34 casos de asbestosis, 13 carcinomas broncogenicos y 3 mesoteliomas. Conclusiones: Existe una elevada prevalencia de enfermedades relacionadas con el asbesto entre los trabajadores de los astilleros de Ferrol.
Hexachlorobenzene-induced hyperparathyroidism and osteosclerosis in rats.

Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) exposure has been shown to alter the normal concentrations of parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in rats and to result in osteoporosis in humans. Experiments were undertaken to investigate the effects of HCB on the homeostatic mechanism of calcium metabolism and to determine its effect on bone in rats. Fischer 344 rats were dosed 5 days/week for 5, 10, or 15 weeks with 0, 0.1, 10.0, or 25.0 mg HCB/kg body wt. Body weight was not affected by any of the exposure conditions. Liver weight was significantly elevated above control values at the two higher dose levels at all three time periods. Kidney weight and kidney-to-body weight ratio were significantly elevated at the highest dose level after 10 weeks and at the two higher dose levels after 15 weeks of exposure. Serum alkaline phosphatase was significantly decreased at the two higher dose levels after both 10 and 15 weeks of exposure. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 was measured in the 5-week exposure group only and was significantly elevated in the three higher dose levels. After 5 and 15 weeks of HCB exposure, parathyroid hormone concentration was significantly elevated at the two higher dose levels at both time periods. Wet femur density was significantly increased at the two higher dose levels of HCB after 10 weeks of exposure and the three higher dose levels after 15 weeks of exposure. Dry femur density was also increased in the cases where wet femur density was increased. However, femur weight was not affected at any dose level. The results from this study indicate that HCB induces hyperparathyroidism in rats, as demonstrated by increased serum parathyroid hormone levels and osteosclerosis of the femur. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Total and state-specific medical and absenteeism costs of COPD among adults aged ≥ 18 years in the United States for 2010 and projections through 2020.

BACKGROUND COPD remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to estimate (1) national US COPD-attributable annual medical costs by payer (direct) and absenteeism (indirect) in 2010 and projected medical costs through 2020 and (2) state-specific COPD-attributable medical and absenteeism costs in 2010. METHODS We used the 2006-2010 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the 2004 National Nursing Home Survey, and 2010 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data to generate cost estimates and 2010 census data to project medical costs through 2020. RESULTS In 2010, total national medical costs attributable to COPD and its sequelae were estimated at $32.1 billion, and total absenteeism costs were $3.9 billion, for a total burden of COPD-attributable costs of $36 billion. An estimated 16.4 million days of work were lost because of COPD. Of the medical costs, 18% was paid for by private insurance, 51% by Medicare, and 25% by Medicaid. National medical costs are projected to increase from $32.1 billion in 2010 to $49.0 billion in 2020. Total state-specific costs in 2010 ranged from $49.1 million in Wyoming to $2.8 billion in California: medical costs ranged from $42.5 million in Alaska to $2.5 billion in Florida and absenteeism costs ranged from $8.4 million in Wyoming to $434.0 million in California. CONCLUSIONS Costs attributable to COPD and its sequelae are substantial and are projected to increase through 2020. Evidence-based interventions that prevent tobacco use and reduce the clinical complications of COPD may result in potential decreased COPD-attributable costs.
Chemical composition observed over the mid-Atlantic and the detection of pollution signatures far from source regions

The atmospheric composition of the central North Atlantic region has been sampled using the FAAM BAe146 instrumented aircraft during the Intercontinental Transport of Ozone and Precursors (ITOP) campaign, part of the wider International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation (ICARTT). This paper presents an overview of the ITOP campaign. Between late July and early August 2004, twelve flights comprising 72 hours of measurement were made in a region from approximately 20 to 40°W and 33 to 47°N centered on Faial Island, Azores, ranging in altitude from 50 to 9000 m. The vertical profiles of O3 and CO are consistent with previous observations made in this region during 1997 and our knowledge of the seasonal cycles within the region. A cluster analysis technique is used to partition the data set into air mass types with distinct chemical signatures. Six clusters provide a suitable balance between cluster generality and specificity. The clusters are labeled as biomass burning, low level outflow, upper level outflow, moist lower troposphere, marine and upper troposphere. During this summer, boreal forest fire emissions from Alaska and northern Canada were found to provide a major perturbation of tropospheric composition in CO, PAN, organic compounds and aerosol. Anthropogenic influenced air from the continental boundary layer of the USA was clearly observed running above the marine boundary layer right across the mid-Atlantic, retaining high pollution levels in VOCs and sulfate aerosol. Upper level outflow events were found to have far lower sulfate aerosol, resulting from washout on ascent, but much higher PAN associated with the colder temperatures. Lagrangian links with flights of other aircraft over the USA and Europe show that such signatures are maintained many days downwind of emission regions. Some other features of the data set are highlighted, including the strong perturbations to many VOCs and OVOCs in this remote region.
Two-Locus Epistasis With Sexually Antagonistic Selection: A Genetic Parrondo's Paradox

An example is provided where, with antagonistic selection and epistatic interaction of alleles at two loci, an autosomal allele can rise in frequency, persist in the population, and even continue to fixation, despite having an apparently lower average fitness than the alternative allele, in a process similar to Parrondo's paradox.
Embedded Flash technologies and their applications: Status & outlook

In the last two decades embedded Flash technologies took over a dominating role in several IC market segments. Two key application areas driving leading edge embedded Flash technologies and forming the majority of the corresponding market volume are automotive microcontrollers (µCs) and smartcards. This paper gives an overview of these technologies, their applications, requirements, key challenges as well as future outlook.
The Mechanism of Membrane Disruption by Cytotoxic Amyloid Oligomers Formed by Prion Protein(106–126) Is Dependent on Bilayer Composition*

Background: Nonfibrillar amyloid oligomers are cytotoxic and may act through physical disruption of cell membranes. Results: Cytotoxic oligomers of the amyloid peptide PrP(106–126) disrupt membranes through distinct mechanisms, depending on lipid composition. Conclusion: Cytotoxicity of PrP(106–126) oligomers can occur through at least two different physical processes. Significance: Mechanisms for the membrane disruption of amyloid oligomers are proposed, providing new insight into their cytotoxicity. The formation of fibrillar aggregates has long been associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. Although fibrils are still considered important to the pathology of these disorders, it is now widely understood that smaller amyloid oligomers are the toxic entities along the misfolding pathway. One characteristic shared by the majority of amyloid oligomers is the ability to disrupt membranes, a commonality proposed to be responsible for their toxicity, although the mechanisms linking this to cell death are poorly understood. Here, we describe the physical basis for the cytotoxicity of oligomers formed by the prion protein (PrP)-derived amyloid peptide PrP(106–126). We show that oligomers of this peptide kill several mammalian cells lines, as well as mouse cerebellar organotypic cultures, and we also show that they exhibit antimicrobial activity. Physical perturbation of model membranes mimicking bacterial or mammalian cells was investigated using atomic force microscopy, polarized total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, and NMR spectroscopy. Disruption of anionic membranes proceeds through a carpet or detergent model as proposed for other antimicrobial peptides. By contrast, when added to zwitterionic membranes containing cholesterol-rich ordered domains, PrP(106–126) oligomers induce a loss of domain separation and decreased membrane disorder. Loss of raft-like domains may lead to activation of apoptotic pathways, resulting in cell death. This work sheds new light on the physical mechanisms of amyloid cytotoxicity and is the first to clearly show membrane type-specific modes of action for a cytotoxic peptide.
Socioeconomic Status and Transient Ischaemic Attack/Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with an increased risk of stroke but the mechanisms are unclear. We aimed to determine whether low-SES stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) patients have a greater burden of vascular risk factors/co-morbidity and reduced health care access. Methods: We prospectively studied 467 consecutive stroke and TIA patients from 3 Scottish hospitals (outpatients and inpatients) during 2007/2008. We recorded vascular risk factors, stroke severity, co-morbidity measures, investigations and health service utilisation. SES was derived from postcodes using Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics and analysed in quartiles. Results: TIA/stroke patients in the lowest SES quartile were younger (64 years, SD 14.1) than those in the highest quartile (72 years, SD 12.9; p < 0.0001). They were more likely to be current smokers (42 vs. 22%; p = 0.001) but there was no association with other vascular risk factors/co-morbidity. There was a trend for those with lower SES to have a more severe stroke [modified National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and interquartile range: 4 (2–6) vs. 3 (1–5); multivariate p = 0.05]. Lower SES groups were less likely to have neuro-imaging (82 vs. 90%; p = 0.036) or an electrocardiogram (72 vs. 87%; p = 0.003), but differences were no longer significant on multivariate analysis. However, there was equal access to stroke unit care. Conclusions: Low-SES TIA and stroke patients are younger and have a more severe deficit; an increased prevalence of smoking is likely to be a major contributor. We found equal access to stroke unit care for low-SES patients.
Dispositif en ligne d’entraînement à la résolution de problèmes de physique

Dans le cadre de la lutte contre l’echec en premier cycle superieur, le LabSET et des enseignants de physique de l’universite de Liege ont developpe un dispositif en ligne d’entrainement a la resolution de problemes en physique. Deux problematiques sont abordees ici : le diagnostic de la maitrise des processus cognitifs a mobiliser pour resoudre des problemes de physique et le lien entre entrainement en ligne et performance des etudiants lors de la resolution de problemes a l’examen. Les analyses reposent sur une etude menee aupres de 876 etudiants inscrits en premiere annee en medecine. Elles ont ete effectuees sur la base des donnees subjectives (auto-evaluation du processus et du produit) et objectives (nombre de connexions aux exercices en ligne, resultats de maitrise des questions specifiques aux processus cognitifs etudies, taux de reussite et notes aux examens). Les resultats indiquent que le processus d’analyse est celui posant le plus de difficultes aux etudiants. De plus, une dependance est observee entre travail en ligne et reussite aux problemes presentes a l’examen de juin. Les notes des etudiants ayant travaille en ligne sont superieures a celles des etudiants n’ayant realise aucun probleme en ligne. Cependant, etant donne que les etudiants ayant reussi l’examen de physique sont aussi ceux ayant reussi les epreuves dans les autres matieres scientifiques, il est difficile d’etablir un rapport de causalite entre travail en ligne et performances.
Nacelle LiDAR online wind field reconstruction applied to feedforward pitch control

This paper presents innovative filtering and reconstruction techniques of nacelle LiDAR data, and exploitation of obtained wind anticipation capabilities for wind turbine control strategy. The implemented algorithms are applied under industrial constraints, on a MAIA EOLIS wind turbine, equipped with a LEOSPHERE 5-beams pulsed LiDAR, during experimental campaigns of SMARTEOLE collaborative project.
The rapid isolation of clonable antigen‐specific T lymphocyte lines capable of mediating autoimmune encephalomyelitis

The isolation and propagation of functional antigen‐specific lines of T lymphoblasts is described. These lines were found to recognize foreign or self antigens in association with accessory cells of syngeneic major histocompatibility complex genotype. Intravenous inoculation of a T cell reactive only against myelin basic protein led to development of clinical paralysis in syngeneic rats. Thus, it is possible to study biological function as well as antigen specificity using T cell lines.
Properties of Proton Pumping in Response to Blue Light and Fusicoccin in Guard Cell Protoplasts Isolated from Adaxial Epidermis of Vicia Leaves

Guard cell protoplasts (GCPs) were isolated from the adaxial epidermis of Vicia leaves. The properties of isolated adaxial GCPs (ad GCPs) were compared with those of abaxial GCPs (ab GCPs) with respect to H+-pumping activity. A saturating pulse of blue light (200 [mu]mol m-2 s-1, 30 s) induced H+ pumping in both ad GCPs and ab GCPs under red light. The maximum rate of blue-light-dependent H+ pumping was slightly higher in ad GCPs than in ab GCPs, but the magnitude of H+ pumping in ad GCPs was 68% of that in ab GCPs. H+ pumping was responsive to the second pulse, and the rate and magnitude of the pumping increased with the time between two pulses. The periods required to achieve 50% of the maximum rate were 12 and 22 min for ad GCPs and ab GCPs, respectively. The rates of blue-light-dependent H+ pumping were saturable, with half-saturation at 630 [mu]mol m-2 (21 [mu]mol m-2 s-1, 30 s) for ad GCPs and 105 [mu]mol m-2 (3.5 [mu]mol m-2 s-1, 30s) for ab GCPs. In contrast, fusicoccin, an activator of the plasma membrane H+- ATPase, induced H+ pumping with a slightly higher rate in ad GCPs than in ab GCPs. Both types of protoplast swelled similarly in response to fusicoccin. These results suggest that ad GCPs have almost the same activity for H+ pumping as ab GCPs, whereas ad GCPs require a larger number of photons to activate the H+ pump than ab GCPs.
NatureCHI: Unobtrusive User Experiences with Technology in Nature

Being in nature is typically regarded to be calming, relaxing and purifying. When in nature, people often seek physical activity like hiking, or meditative, mindful or inspiring experiences remote from the urban everyday life. However, the modern lifestyle easily extends technology use to all sectors of our everyday life, and e.g. the rise of sports tracking technologies, mobile phone integrated cameras and omnipresent social media access have contributed to technologies also arriving into the use context of nature. Also maps and tourist guides are increasingly smart phone or tablet based services. This workshop addresses the challenges that are related to interacting with technology in nature. The viewpoints cover, but are not limited to interaction design and prototyping, social and cultural issues, user experiences that aim for unobtrusive interactions with the technology with nature as the use context