Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seasonal prevalence and determinants of food insecurity in Iqaluit, Nunavut

Background Food insecurity is an ongoing problem in the Canadian Arctic. Although most studies have focused on smaller communities, little is known about food insecurity in larger centres. Objectives This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity during 2 different seasons in Iqaluit, the territorial capital of Nunavut, as well as identify associated risk factors. Designs A modified United States Department of Agriculture Food Security Survey was applied to 532 randomly selected households in September 2012 and 523 in May 2013. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to examine potential associations between food security and 9 risk factors identified in the literature. Results In September 2012, 28.7% of surveyed households in Iqaluit were food insecure, a rate 3 times higher than the national average, but lower than smaller Inuit communities in Nunavut. Prevalence of food insecurity in September 2012 was not significantly different in May 2013 (27.2%). When aggregating results from Inuit households from both seasons (May and September), food insecurity was associated with poor quality housing and reliance on income support (p<0.01). Unemployment and younger age of the person in charge of food preparation were also significantly associated with food insecurity. In contrast to previous research among Arctic communities, gender and consumption of country food were not positively associated with food security. These results are consistent with research describing high food insecurity across the Canadian Arctic. Conclusion The factors associated with food insecurity in Iqaluit differed from those identified in smaller communities, suggesting that experiences with, and processes of, food insecurity may differ between small communities and larger commercial centres. These results suggest that country food consumption, traditional knowledge and sharing networks may play a less important role in larger Inuit communities.
PARALLEL EVOLUTION AND VICARIANCE IN THE GUPPY (POECILIA RETICULATA) OVER MULTIPLE SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL SCALES

Abstract Well-studied model systems present ideal opportunities to understand the relative roles of contemporary selection versus historical processes in determining population differentiation and speciation. Although guppy populations in Trinidad have been a model for studies of evolutionary ecology and sexual selection for more than 50 years, this work has been conducted with little understanding of the phylogenetic history of this species. We used variation in nuclear (X-src) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences to examine the phylogeographic history of Poecilia reticulata Peters (the guppy) across its entire natural range, and to test whether patterns of morphological divergence are a consequence of parallel evolution. Phylogenetic, nested clade, population genetic, and demographic analyses were conducted to investigate patterns of genetic structure at several temporal scales and are discussed in relation to vicariant events, such as tectonic activity and glacial cycles, shaping northeast South American river drainages. The mtDNA phylogeny defined five major lineages, each associated with one or more river drainages, and analysis of molecular variance also detected geographic structuring among these river drainages in an evolutionarily conserved nuclear (X-src) locus. Nested clade and other demographic analyses suggest that the eastern Venezuela/ western Trinidad region is likely the center of origin of P. reticulata. Mantel tests show that the divergence of morphological characters, known to differentiate on a local scale in response to natural and sexual selection pressures, is not associated with mtDNA genetic distance; however, TreeScan analysis identified several significant associations of these characters with the haplotype tree. Parallel upstream/downstream patterns of morphological adaptation in response to selection pressures reported in P. reticulata within Trinidad rivers appears to persist across the natural range. Our results together with previous studies suggest that, although morphological variation in P. reticulata is primarily attributed to selection, phylogeographic history may also play a role.
Semantic Annotation and Retrieval Approach for Historical Testcases

Reusing Historical testcases play a crucial role in ensuring software testing quality. However, the diversity of historical testcases limits their potential uses. As a result, large amounts of human effort is required to write testcases for complex functional testings. In this paper, an effective framework is proposed to integrate and retrieve historical testcase bases with semantic analysis technologies. Firstly, semantic similarity is calculated to integrate the metadata of the inputted semi-structured testcases. Then, testcases are clustered by using similarity measures to eliminate heterogeneity existed in the contents of the testcases. The clustering results are added to the testcases as semantic annotations for the later semantic query. Using the semantic query interface, testers can easily obtain useful testcases without ambiguity. Finally, a case study demonstrates the effectiveness and scalability of this method for testcases retrieval for bank information systems testing.
Testing of RF 100 m TF Qualification Conductor in the SULTAN Test Facility

A conductor for ITER toroidal field (TF) coils is the cable-in-conduit conductor (CICC) type, which is made of Nb3Sn superconducting strands encased in a stainless steel tubular jacket. A 120-m-long prototype has been designed in accordance with ITER requirements and manufactured prior to production of 26 full-sized CICC lengths that are the contribution of Russia to the ITER TF magnet system. Ten meters of the prototype have been used to produce a sample for testing in the SULTAN facility in order to qualify the strand/cable/jacket combination. A test aimed at qualifying the conductor performance based on Tcs measurements in representative condition regarding the transport current and magnetic field has been carried out. At the same time, the test was used to compare the conductor behavior after different heat treatment cycles. Each of two legs has been reacted in accordance with one of the specified heat treatment cycles for the ITER TF conductor. Test results are presented and discussed. Based on the test results, the eligibility of the conductor for the ITER TF magnet system has been assessed.
Persistence of foot-and-mouth disease virus in butter and butter oil

Milk has been implicated as a vehicle for the transmission of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus (Dawson, 1970; Hedger & Dawson, 1970; Hugh-Jones, 1976). Subsequent studies have shown that high titres of FMD virus may be excreted in the milk of cows with clinically inapparent infection (Blackwell & Hyde, 1976; Burrows, 1968) and that virus may survive the HTST pasteurization of such milk (Hyde, Blackwell & Callis, 1975). Under experimental conditions, FMD virus also survived the low pH of dairy products prepared from the milk of infected cows (Blackwell, 1976; Cunliffe & Blackwell, 1977). Blackwell & Hyde (1976) found that FMD virus also survived heat treatment of the components of whole milk. Cream in particular conferred a marked protective effect on FMD virus, enabling it to withstand heating at 93 °C for 16 s, a temperature in excess of that of commercial processing. In the study presented here, butter was prepared from the milk of FMD virusinfected cows to determine whether the virus survived heating and ripening, and the low pH of manufacture.
Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis C and B virus infections in hemodialysis patients and their spouses: A multicenter study in Beijing, China

Hemodialysis patients are at risk for hepatitis C and B virus infections. This study investigated the prevalences and risk factors of HCV and HBV infection and the distribution of HCV genotypes among hemodialysis patients and their spouses. From August to November 2011, a cross‐sectional study was conducted on 20 hemodialysis units in Beijing to investigate prevalences and risk factors for markers of HCV and HBV among 2,120 patients and 409 spouses. In hemodialysis patients, prevalences of anti‐HCV, HCV RNA, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were 6.1%, 4.6%, and 7.0%, respectively. The prevalence of HCV antibodies among spouses was 0.5%, of HCV RNA was 0.2%, and of HBsAg was 4.2%. Risk factors for HCV infection were dialysis duration, blood transfusion, and attending more than one dialysis unit. HBV infection was independently associated with age, family member with hepatitis infection, gender, and surgery. The predominant HCV genotypes were 1b (89.0%) and 2a (7.7%), and genotypes 3a, 3b, and 6a were each 1.1%. A significant decrease in HCV and HBV prevalences in Chinese dialysis units showed that infection control measures were effective. However, because nosocomial transmissions persist, strict adherence to infection control measures should be emphasized to reduce the risk of transmission. J. Med. Virol. 85:425–432, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A low-complexity dynamic element matching technique for reduced-distortion digital-to-analog conversion

This paper presents a dynamic element matching (DEM) technique for low harmonic distortion digital-to-analog converters (DACs). The technique employs simple binary switches controlled by pseudo-random bit sequences to make appropriate selections in a bank of unit DAC-elements whose outputs are summed to form the output of the composite DAC. Harmonic distortion resulting from static mismatches of the unit DAC-elements is eliminated at the expense of an increased noise floor. A comparison with previously reported DEM techniques for low harmonic distortion DACs shows that the technique proposed here is of least hardware complexity. For example, for DAC resolutions of 5 bits or greater, the proposed scheme uses about 50% fewer binary switches than the most hardware efficient prior art.
Increasing Objective Cardiometabolic Burden Associated With Attenuations in the P3b Event-Related Potential Component in Older Adults

Cardiometabolic diseases and risk factors increase the risk of late-life cognitive impairment and dementia, and have also been associated with detrimental grey and white matter changes. However the functional brain changes associated with cardiometabolic health in late-life are unclear. We sought to characterise these functional changes by recording event-related potentials (ERPs) during a n-back working memory task (0, 1 and 2 back) in 85 adults (60% female) between 50 and 80 years of age. Due to a stratified recruitment approach, participants varied widely regarding cognitive function and cardiometabolic health. Standard and objective cut-offs for high blood glucose, waist to hip ratio (i.e. obesity), high blood cholesterol, and hypertension were employed to generate a summative score for cardiometabolic burden (none, one, or two or more above cut-off). Mixed effects modelling (covarying for age and gender) revealed no statistically significant associations between cardiometabolic burden and visual P1 and N1 component amplitudes. There was a significant effect for the P3b component: as cardiometabolic burden increased, P3b amplitude decreased. We show that cardiometabolic factors related to the development of cognitive impairment and dementia in late-life associate with functional brain activity, as recorded via ERPs. Findings have relevance for the monitoring of lifestyle interventions (typically targeting cardiometabolic factors) in ageing, as ERPs may provide a more sensitive measure of change than cognitive performance. Further, our results raise questions related to the findings of a broad range of ERP studies where the groups compared may differ in their cardiometabolic health status (not only in psychological symptomatology).
Delay Defect Characterization Using Low Voltage Test

For nanometer designs, many subtle defects lead to excessive delays in signal paths that cause reliability concerns. Traditional test-based diagnosis methods can only identify the failing nodes without the capability to tell the defect nature behind the observed delay faults. This differentiation is important for gathering accurate defect statistics for process improvement during yield ramp-up. In this paper we presented an effective delay defect analysis methodology that can quickly categorize the delay defects into either transistor related defects or resistive interconnect defects. The new delay defect/failure characterization method is based on low voltage test and delay defect detection in slack interval (DDSI) method. Experimental results were presented to validate the effectiveness of the new method. Practical considerations were also addressed for adoption of the methodology.
Prevalence of tick‐borne encephalitis virus in Ixodes ricinus ticks in Finland

Approximately 20 cases of tick‐borne encephalitis (TBE) occur annually in Finland. The known endemic areas are situated mainly in the archipelago and coastal regions of Finland, with highest incidence in Åland islands. Ixodes ricinus panels collected in 1996–1997 from two endemic areas were screened for the presence of RNA. Two distinct RT‐PCR methods were applied, and were shown to have an approximate detection limit of 10 focus forming doses (FFD)/100 μl. One out of 20 pools (a total of 139 ticks) from Helsinki Isosaari Island and one out of 48 pools (a total of 450 ticks) from Åland were positive with both methods, whereas the remaining pools were negative. The observed overall frequency (0.34%) in ticks in endemic areas of Finland, was similar to the low incidence found by virus isolation in mice in the 1960s (0.5%). Viral RNA was detectable in a diluted sample representing 0.005% of a positive pool of ten nymphs suggesting that the viral RNA load within an infected tick pool was approximately equivalent to 20,000–200,000 FFD. Sequence analysis did not show geographical clustering of the Finnish strains, suggesting an independent emergence of different TBE foci from the south. TBE virus RNA positive ticks were not found in I. ricinus panels consisting of 130 pools (726 ticks) from Helsinki city parks or 41 pools (197 ticks) from Võrmsi Island in Estonia. J. Med. Virol. 64:21–28, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modular integration of a 3 DoF F/T sensor for robotic manipulators

Robot assisted surgery and minimally invasive robotic surgery inherently entail that the hands of the surgeon indirectly interact with the patient tissues and organs even if the operator is out of the affected body. Hence, transferring sensor information from the inside of the patient to the outside of the surgeon may certainly improve the perception of the robotic enduser. To this aim – within the EU framework of the STIFF-FLOP project (STIFFness controllable Flexible and Learnable Manipulator for Surgical Operations), we developed a novel design of miniaturized and magnetic resonance compatible sensors for force and torque real-time measurements in robotic surgery. The sensor design has a hollow shape, whose geometry allows its integration and embedding within snake-like surgical robots and modular devices. According to typical requirements and specifications of a surgical procedure, the sensor operates in a range of force and torque of 0-5 N and 0-5 N⋅cm, respectively. Due to a customized tool and calibration procedure, an error of less than 15% of sensor range can be obtained. This novel transducer may advance force and haptic feedback in robot assisted and minimally invasive surgeries.
Apoptosis and the adaptive response in human lymphocytes.

PURPOSE To determine whether the sensitivity of human lymphocytes for apoptosis induced by either a membrane oxidizing agent or a DNA damaging agent is modified by an adaptive response. MATERIALS AND METHODS Peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal human donors were exposed to low doses of the DNA damaging agent gamma-radiation, or the membrane oxidizing agent t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH), incubated for various times and then tested for their sensitivity to induction of apoptosis by a subsequent exposure to a high dose of either agent. Apoptosis was measured using a fluorescent assay of DNA unwinding or a terminal deoxynucleotide transferase assay. RESULTS The results show that Go lymphocytes pre-exposed to an adapting dose of radiation or DNA strand breaking agent are not protected but can become sensitized to subsequent apoptosis induced by radiation (a kinetically slow process). Inter- and intraindividual variations were observed. However, neither pre-exposure to radiation nor to a membrane oxidizing agent sensitized lymphocytes from any donor to apoptosis induced by a membrane oxidizing agent (a kinetically fast process). CONCLUSIONS Since an increase in the elimination of genetically damaged cells by apoptosis could reduce the risk of cancer from exposure to radiation or other DNA damaging agents, this cellular sensitization for apoptosis may represent a novel adaptive response mechanism.
The ‘Keltenblock’ project: discovery and excavation of a rich Hallstatt grave at the Heuneburg, Germany

Abstract A richly furnished grave of an elite woman from the Hallstatt period was discovered close to the Heuneburg, the earliest proto-urban settlement north of the Alps. Dendrochronological analysis of timbers from the grave chamber dates the burial to 583 BC, the earliest of a series of such burials north of the Alps and a key anchor in the absolute chronology of the Early Iron Age in Europe. The woman was adorned with gold, bronze, jet and amber jewellery; gold filigree objects, amber fibulae and items of horse-head armour suggest close connections south of the Alps. An infant female burial close to the main grave included gold jewellery made for a child but similar to that of the woman.
Synergistic Activity of Chloroquine with Fluconazole against Fluconazole-Resistant Isolates of Candida Species

ABSTRACT The in vitro activity of chloroquine and the interactions of chloroquine combined with fluconazole against 37 Candida isolates were tested using the broth microdilution, disk diffusion, and Etest susceptibility tests. Synergistic effect was detected with 6 of 9 fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans isolates, with Candida krusei ATCC 6258, and with all 12 fluconazole-resistant Candida tropicalis isolates.
Hemodynamics and organ blood flow in fetal sheep subjected to chronic anemia.

To investigate cardiovascular adaptation to chronic anemia we studied eight ovine fetuses made anemic by serial isovolemic hemorrhage and seven nonanemic controls. After 1 wk carotid arterial oxygen content was reduced to 1.6 +/- 0.2 ml/dl and hematocrit to 13.3 +/- 1.6% in anemic fetuses compared with 6.9 +/- 1.2 ml/dl and 32.4 +/- 3.9% in controls. Cardiac output was higher in the anemic group (753 +/- 102 vs. 490 +/- 66 ml.min-1.kg fetus-1) as stroke volume and heart rate both increased. Blood flow to the carcass, skin, kidneys, intestines, brain, and heart was increased. Vascular resistance fell in all tissues except the placenta. Central venous pressure, arterial pH, plasma total protein, and blood volume were not different although extravascular fluid accumulated in six of the anemic fetuses. The estimated capillary hydrostatic pressure was greater in anemic (7.6 +/- 1.8 mmHg) than control fetuses (5.0 +/- 1.5 mmHg) and the ratio of precapillary to postcapillary resistance was less. We conclude that reduction in the ratio of precapillary to postcapillary resistance in chronic fetal anemia increases blood flow, oxygen delivery, and capillary hydrostatic pressure.
People toss coins with more vigor when the stakes are higher

We trust that the uncertainty regarding the outcome of a coin toss makes it a fair procedure for making a decision. Small differences in the force used to toss a coin should not affect this uncertainty. However, the voluntary movement involved in tossing a coin is subject to motivational influences arising from the anticipation of the value of the outcome of the toss. Presented here are measurements of hand velocities during coin tossing when the outcomes entail monetary gains and losses. Finger position measurements show that hand velocities are proportional to the amount of money at stake. Coin toss movements are faster and larger for higher stakes than for smaller monetary stakes.
Comparative Analysis of Different Control Schemes for DC-DC Converter: a Review

DC-DC converters are some power electronic circuits that convert the DC voltage from one level to another. They have a very large area of applications ranging from computing to communication. They are widely used in appliance control transportations and high-power transmission. Its increasing demand is based on its capability of electrical energy conversion. The basic topologies of DC-DC converter are Buck converter and Boost converter, other topologies are derived from these two basic topologies. Mathematical modelling of both Buck converters is done. Some of the control schemes are summarized in this paper. Current mode control (CMC), PID, Sliding Mode (SM) control including their advantages and disadvantages are highlighted in this paper.
Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities and Ethics

It is easy to dismiss racial/ethnic health disparities as ethical issues, because they seem simultaneously too easy and too hard. It is a no-brainer to say that, ethically, one’s racial or ethnic status ought not to determine the quality of the care one receives, or the degree of access to that care. Yet, when these problems are dismissed from larger discussions of socioeconomic inequities, the development of practical policies to eliminate these health disparities seems a matter for policy and technical expertise, with no useful role for a bioethicist at the table. To identify possible roles of ethics in addressing racial/ethnic health disparities, we survey three aspects of the problem—broad conceptual questions, macro-level policy choices, and micro-level policies as they appear from the vantage point of a community clinic. Such a multilevel inquiry illustrates the usefulness of bioethics as part of policy development and also outlines a future research program for bioethics itself.
Multifunctional Smart Optical Fibers: Materials, Fabrication, and Sensing Applications

This paper presents a review of the development of optical fibers made of multiple materials, particularly including silica glass, soft glass, polymers, hydrogels, biomaterials, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and Polyperfluoro-Butenylvinyleth (CYTOP). The properties of the materials are discussed according to their various applications. Typical fabrication techniques for specialty optical fibers based on these materials are introduced, which are mainly focused on extrusion, drilling, and stacking methods depending on the materials’ thermal properties. Microstructures render multiple functions of optical fibers and bring more flexibility in fiber design and device fabrication. In particular, micro-structured optical fibers made from different types of materials are reviewed. The sensing capability of optical fibers enables smart monitoring. Widely used techniques to develop fiber sensors, i.e., fiber Bragg grating and interferometry, are discussed in terms of sensing principles and fabrication methods. Lastly, sensing applications in oil/gas, optofluidics, and particularly healthcare monitoring using specialty optical fibers are demonstrated. In comparison with conventional silica-glass single-mode fiber, state-of-the-art specialty optical fibers provide promising prospects in sensing applications due to flexible choices in materials and microstructures.