Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BALANCING STRATEGY AND TACTICS IN PUBLIC PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: A CONTINGENCY APPROACH

This study allowed to analyze four public projects through NCTP "Diamond" model and Project Implementation Profile - PIP, suggesting a roadmap to improve the Schedule Performance Index - SPI and Cost Performance Index – CPI of projects, from the convergence between models. Four theoretical axes were worked: public projects, traditional and contingency project management and critical success factors. For this research was adopted the multiple case study, covering projects in different sectors: agribusiness, trade and service. Resorted to correspondence analysis (ANACOR) to confirm the dependence between variables of NCTP and PIP. The results showed that the mistake in the classification of projects and negligence in the selection and monitoring of critical factors can generate the imbalance of strategic and tactical projects. Furthermore, the application of the proposed roadmap positively influence the performance indices of public projects. Full Paper PDF: http://www.contecsi. fea.usp. br/envio/11contecsi-files/papers/654/submission/director/654-2410-1-DR.pdf
Brainstem Circuits Triggering Saccades and Fixation

Omnipause neurons (OPNs) in the nucleus raphe interpositus have tonic activity while the eyes are stationary (“fixation”) but stop firing immediately before and during saccades. To locate the source of suppression, we analyzed synaptic inputs from the rostral and caudal superior colliculi (SCs) to OPNs by using intracellular recording and staining, and investigated pathways transmitting the inputs in anesthetized cats of both sexes. Electrophysiologically or morphologically identified OPNs received monosynaptic excitation from the rostral SCs with contralateral dominance, and received disynaptic inhibition from the caudal SCs with ipsilateral dominance. Cutting the tectoreticular tract transversely between the contralateral OPN and inhibitory burst neuron (IBN) regions eliminated inhibition from the caudal SCs, but not excitation from the rostral SCs in OPNs. In contrast, a midline section between IBN regions eliminated disynaptic inhibition in OPNs from the caudal SCs but did not affect the monosynaptic excitation from the rostral SCs. Stimulation of the contralateral IBN region evoked monosynaptic inhibition in OPNs, which was facilitated by preconditioning SC stimulation. Three-dimensional reconstruction of HRP-stained cells revealed that individual OPNs have axons that terminate in the opposite IBN area, while individual IBNs have axon collaterals to the opposite OPN area. These results show that there are differences in the neural circuit from the rostral and caudal SCs to the brainstem premotor circuitry and that IBNs suppress OPNs immediately before and during saccades. Thus, the IBNs, which are activated by caudal SC saccade neurons, shut down OPN firing and help to trigger saccades and suppress (“latch”) OPN activity during saccades. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Saccades are the fastest eye movements to redirect gaze to an object of interest and bring its image on the fovea for fixation. Burst neurons (BNs) and omnipause neurons (OPNs) which behave reciprocally in the brainstem, are important for saccade generation and fixation. This study investigated unsolved important questions about where these neurons receive command signals and how they interact for initiating saccades from visual fixation. The results show that the rostral superior colliculi (SCs) excite OPNs monosynaptically for fixation, whereas the caudal SCs monosynaptically excite inhibitory BNs, which then directly inhibit OPNs for the initiation of saccades. This inhibition from the caudal SCs may account for the omnipause behavior of OPNs for initiation and maintenance of saccades in all directions.
Cardiometabolic health benefits of dairy-milk polar lipids

Abstract Low-quality dietary patterns impair cardiometabolic health by increasing the risk of obesity-related disorders. Cardiometabolic risk relative to dairy-food consumption continues to be a controversial topic, due to recommendations that endorse low-fat and nonfat dairy foods over full-fat varieties despite accumulated evidence that does not strongly support these recommendations. Controlled human studies and mechanistic preclinical investigations support that full-fat dairy foods decrease cardiometabolic risk by promoting gut health, reducing inflammation, and managing dyslipidemia. These gut- and systemic-level cardiometabolic benefits are attributed, at least in part, to milk polar lipids (MPLs) derived from the phospholipid- and sphingolipid-rich milk fat globule membrane that is of higher abundance in full-fat dairy milk. The controversy surrounding full-fat dairy food consumption is discussed in this review relative to cardiometabolic health and MPL bioactivities that alleviate dyslipidemia, shift gut microbiota composition, and reduce inflammation. This summary, therefore, is expected to advance the understanding of full-fat dairy foods through their MPLs and the need for translational research to establish evidence-based dietary recommendations.
Digital Filters for Simulation of Seismic Ground Motion and Structural Response

Discrete time series representations for some commonly used relations in earthquake engineering and engineering seismology are presented and the advantages, compared with their continuous time counterparts, are discussed. Seismic source models derived by Brune are presented in discrete time form, as well as a model by Savage, which includes directivity. The discrete time series models are presented as recursive filters (ARMA models) that simplify the simulation process and do not involve the numerical Fourier transform. Furthermore, a demonstration is made of the use of discrete time representations for a SDOF system and their use for the computation of earthquake response spectra.
Surveying a Swarm: Experimental Techniques To Establish and Examine Bacterial Collective Motion

The survival and successful spread of many bacterial species hinges on their mode of motility. One of the most distinct of these is swarming, a collective form of motility where a dense consortium of bacteria employ flagella to propel themselves across a solid surface. ABSTRACT The survival and successful spread of many bacterial species hinges on their mode of motility. One of the most distinct of these is swarming, a collective form of motility where a dense consortium of bacteria employ flagella to propel themselves across a solid surface. Surface environments pose unique challenges, derived from higher surface friction/tension and insufficient hydration. Bacteria have adapted by deploying an array of mechanisms to overcome these challenges. Beyond allowing bacteria to colonize new terrain in the absence of bulk liquid, swarming also bestows faster speeds and enhanced antibiotic resistance to the collective. These crucial attributes contribute to the dissemination, and in some cases pathogenicity, of an array of bacteria. This minireview highlights (i) aspects of swarming motility that differentiate it from other methods of bacterial locomotion, (ii) facilitatory mechanisms deployed by diverse bacteria to overcome different surface challenges, (iii) the (often difficult) approaches required to cultivate genuine swarmers, (iv) the methods available to observe and assess the various facets of this collective motion, and (v) the features exhibited by the population as a whole.
Bilateral vestibulopathy: the causes, diagnosis, and treatments

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Purpose of review The current review covers recent advances in bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) in terms of its etiology, diagnosis, and treatments. Recent findings The etiology of BVP depends on its clinical course and associated findings, and genetic abnormalities are increasingly recognized in isolated as well as complicated form of BVP. Recent developments in evaluation of the vestibular function have greatly enhanced the detection of BVP, and introduction of the consensus diagnostic criteria by Barany Society has facilitated research on BVP. Vestibular prosthesis may improve vestibular function, posture, gait and quality of life in patients with BVP and would expand the therapeutic options for BVP in near future. Summary Genetics is expanding its role in identifying the causes of BVP of hitherto unknown etiology. The detection and investigation of BVP have been greatly enhanced by introduction of consensus diagnostic criteria and recent developments in methodology evaluating the vestibular function. Vestibular prothesis appears promising in managing BVP. Video abstract http://links.lww. com/CONR/A59.
Deep learning-driven risk-based subtyping of cognitively impaired individuals

Quantifying heterogeneity in Alzheimers disease (AD) risk is critical for individualized care and management. Recent attempts to assess AD heterogeneity have used structural (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based) or functional (Ab-42; or tau) imaging, which focused on generating quartets of atrophy patterns and protein spreading, respectively. Here we present a computational framework that facilitated the identification of subtypes based on their risk of progression to AD. We used cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measures of Ab-42; from the Alzheimers Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) (n=544, discovery cohort) as well as the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) (n=508, validation cohort), and risk-stratified individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) into quartiles (high-risk (H), intermediate-high risk (IH), intermediate-low risk (IL), and low-risk (L)). Patients were divided into subgroups utilizing patterns of brain atrophy found in each of these risk-stratified quartiles. We found H subjects to have a greater risk of AD progression compared to the other subtypes at 2- and 4-years in both the discovery and validation cohorts (ADNI: H subtype versus all others, p < 0.05 at 2 and 4 years; NACC: H vs. IL and LR at 2 years, p < 0.05, and a trend toward higher risk vs. IH, and p < 0.05 vs. IH, and L risk groups at 48 months with a trend toward lower survival vs. IL). Using MRI-based neural models that fused various deep neural networks with survival analysis, we then predicted MCI to AD conversion. We used these models to identify subtype-specific regions that demonstrate the largest levels of atrophy-related importance, which had minimal overlap (Average pairwise Jaccard Similarity in regions between the top 5 subtypes, 0.25+/-0.05 (+/- std)). Neuropathologic changes characteristic of AD were present across all subtypes in comparable proportions (Chi-square test, p>0.05 for differences in ADNC, n=31). Our risk-based approach to subtyping individuals provides an objective means to intervene and tailor care management strategies at early stages of cognitive decline.
A digital compensation method for improving current transformer accuracy

This paper deals with error compensation in current transformers. Usually the manufacturer tries to limit these errors by stating a transformer nominal ratio slightly different from the turns ratio. On the other hand techniques have been developed that allow software current compensation. The proposed method requires acquisition of the instantaneous secondary current and its adjustment with magnetizing current, taking into account hysteresis effects. To do this, a preliminary procedure is performed for core and transformer parameter identification. The compensation method has been tested on a variety of instrument transformers, with sinusoidal primary current. Test results show in all examined cases, an improvement in primary current reproduction accuracy, compared with that achieved using CTs nominal ratio, even for core partial saturation. A further development of the compensation technique is in progress, with a view to eliminating some restrictive hypothesis introduced in the present study.
Losses and impulse response of a parabolic index fiber with random bends

The coupling coefficients of the modes of a parabolic index fiber with randomly curved axis are derived and are used to compute its excess losses and impulse response. It is found that bends with a period comparable to the natural ray oscillation period in the parabolic index medium are catastrophic. The average radius of curvature R c of a guide composed of circular sections with an average length of 1 cm must not decrease below approximately R c = 1 m. Mode coupling by random bends has the tendency to reduce the width of the impulse response function. However, this improvement is accompanied by losses. Reducing the width of the impulse response for coupled mode operation to half its uncoupled width causes 0.7 dB additional loss, a ten-fold reduction of the pulse width costs 18 dB.
Galvanic Skin Response as a Measure of Soldier Stress

Abstract : In the ever-increasing realm of "high-tech" Soldier systems, one factor remains fairly constant: the human factor. The use of multiple high-tech and increasingly complex systems is intended to add capabilities to Soldiers and to reduce stress and workload. However, these systems may add increased levels of stress and workload onto Soldiers who are already at heightened levels of each because of the environments in which the systems are employed. To gauge what levels of stress and workload are being impinged upon these Soldiers, researchers have used a small number of tools at their disposal. The two primary tools used are self-report surveys and salivary amylase. Surveys are quick and cheap but subjective, while salivary amylase tests are objective but time-consuming, intrusive, and expensive. As requirements increase to incorporate larger numbers of high-tech and more complex systems with Soldier-in-the-loop (SIL) systems, researchers will need a method to gather stress data in an accurate, timely, and less intrusive manner. This report discusses the use of a third method to measure Soldier stress: galvanic skin response (GSR). The first step of this process compared the survey method with the GSR method to determine if GSR data are similar to survey stress data in terms of statistics and trends. The ultimate goal of the research (this phase and ensuing research) is to determine if the GSR method is a suitable "middle ground" between the survey method and the salivary amylase method. GSR has the potential to provide researchers with a tool for objectively measuring Soldier stress that is quick, effective, and unobtrusive during research, training, and operational conditions. Stress levels were tested with soldiers using a head-tracked sensor suite (HTSS), aided target recognition technology, and a crew-aiding behavior interface. Results of the survey-GSR comparison and recommendations for ensuing research are presented.
Kinetics of an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor using biolite carrier

Start-up and steady state operation of anaerobic fluidized bed reactors (AFBRs) with biolite as the inert carrier material was studied. Start-up and concomitant biofilm development of AFBRs was performed using two common start-up techniques, the maximum efficiency profile (MEP) technique and the maximum load profile (MLP) technique. The MEP start-up technique increases the volumetric organic loading rates to the reactor gradually and is tied to the removal efficiency of the process. The MLP start-up technique maintains a moderately high but constant volumetric organic loading rate irrespective of reactor performance. Using sucrose-based wastewater as feed, both start-up techniques led to equally fast biofilm development and start-up times of approximately 5 weeks. However, the MEP technique resulted in more stable controlled reactor operation during the start-up period. The quick start-up confirms the high compatibility of biolite for bio-adhesion and the development of a healthy active biofilm.High conce.
Vehicle and pedestrian target detection in auto driving scene

To improve the target detection accuracy and speed of autonomous driving in various weather environments and small target traffic senarios,an improved YOLOV4 target detection model based on CSPDarknet45_G backbone network is proposed in this paper.By adding a new DBG module which consists of DArknetConv2D + BN + GELU activation function,this model is enhanced in generalization ability and accuracy. We also improved Res unit residual module to enhance shallow features fusing with deep feathers and reduced the number of neurons in the CSP module to simplify the module structure.The K-Means++ clustering algorithm is introduced to obtain the size of the prior box used for target detection to satisfy the data set in this paper. In the captured target vehicle image data set, the model detection result shows that the improved YOLOV4 model achieve an average detection accuracy of 90.45%, a recall of 94.37%, and an FPS of 50 frames per second when the IOU is taken as 0.5, which meet the real-time and accuracy of the detection task in this paper.
Relation between Angle of Attack and Atmospheric Ice Accretion on Large Wind Turbine's Blade

A numerical study of wind turbine blade profile's angle of attack variation on atmospheric ice accretion near the blade tip section was performed. Three dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based numerical analyses were carried out using NACA 64618 blade profile at five different angles of attack ranging from −5 to +7.5 degrees. Based upon the flow field calculations and the super cooled water droplet collision efficiency, the rate and shape of accreted ice was simulated for both rime and glaze ice conditions. The results show that atmospheric icing is less severe at lower angles of attack, both in terms of local ice mass and relative ice thickness.
Transmission characteristics of teflon solid-core PCF for terahertz region by using finite element method

Terahertz (THz) has received significant attentions in recent years, as it promises tempting perspectives in multiple applications, such as sensing, imaging and spectroscopy, etc. However, most THz systems rely on free space propagation, where THz wave would experience significant loss. Moreover, most materials have high absorption loss in this spectral region. A new type of low loss THz waveguides is needed in order to promote the application of THz technologies. In this paper, we exploit a Teflon solid-core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and its transmission characteristics have been numerically investigated in the THz band by using finite element method. Results show that in a large pitch length (E=2.0mm) dispersion could be as low as 0.01 ps/ (THz·cm) in the range of 1.0 to 2.5 THz. When d/E is larger than 0.45 and E larger than 1.0mm, the modal loss is as low as 0.25 cm-1. It can also be seen that confinement loss can be eliminated by proper design. The results can provide theoretical references for further studies in this area.
Solar Prominence Bubble and Plumes Caused By an Eruptive Magnetic Flux Rope

Prominence bubbles and plumes often form near the lower prominence–corona boundary. They are believed to play an important role in mass supply and evolution of solar prominences. However, how they form is still an open question. In this Letter we present a unique high-resolution Hα observation of a quiescent prominence by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope. Two noteworthy bubble–plume events are studied in detail. The two events are almost identical, except that an erupting mini filament appeared below the prominence–bubble interface in the second event, unlike the first one or any of the reported bubble observations. Analysis of the Hα and extreme-ultraviolet data indicates that the rising magnetic flux rope (MFR) in the mini filament is the cause of bubble expansion and that the interaction between the prominence and MFR results in plume formation. These observations provided clear evidence that emerging MFR may be a common trigger of bubbles and suggested a new mechanism of plumes in addition to Rayleigh–Taylor instability and reconnection.
A Single Nucleotide Variant in the PPARγ-homolog Eip75B Affects Fecundity in Drosophila

Single nucleotide polymorphisms are the most common type of genetic variation, but how these variants contribute to the evolutionary adaptation of complex phenotypes is largely unknown. Experimental evolution and genome-wide association studies have demonstrated that variation in the PPARg-homolog Eip75B is associated with longevity and life-history differences in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Using RNAi knockdown, we first demonstrate that reduced expression of Eip75B in adults affects lifespan, egg-laying rate and egg volume. We then tested the effect of a naturally occurring SNP variant within a cis-regulatory domain of Eip75B by applying two complementary approaches: a Mendelian randomization approach using lines of the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel, and allelic replacement using precise CRISPR/Cas9-induced genome editing. Our experiments reveal that this natural polymorphism has a significant pleiotropic effect on fecundity and egg-to-adult viability, but not on longevity or other life-history traits. These results provide a rare functional validation at the nucleotide level and identify a natural allelic variant affecting fitness and life-history adaptation.
Zebrafish xenografts to isolate unique human breast cancer metastatic cell populations

Cancer metastasis is a critical culprit frequently blamed for treatment failure, drug resistance, poor prognosis, and high mortality rate among all human cancers. Laboratory efforts to isolate metastatic cell populations have typically been confined to mouse models, which are time-consuming and expensive. Here, we present a model system based on xenografting zebrafish embryos to select for cells that are predisposed to progress through the early stages of metastasis. This model requires only 3-5 days to achieve distinct intravasation to the zebrafish circulatory system. The metastatic cells are easily tracked in real-time as they migrate, as well as isolated and propagated in vitro. Once expanded, molecular characterization of the serially derived invasive cell populations from the tails of the zebrafish accurately predicts genes, signaling pathways, protein-protein interactions, and differential splicing products that are important for an invasive phenotype. This zebrafish model therefore offers a high-throughput and robust method for identifying gene targets critical for cancer metastasis.
Control of nuclear size by osmotic forces in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The size of the nucleus scales robustly with cell size so that the nuclear-to-cell volume ratio (N/C ratio) is maintained during cell growth in many cell types. The mechanism responsible for this scaling remains mysterious. Previous studies have established that the N/C ratio is not determined by DNA amount but is instead influenced by factors such as nuclear envelope mechanics and nuclear transport. Here, we developed a quantitative model for nuclear size control based upon colloid osmotic pressure and tested key predictions in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This model posits that the N/C ratio is determined by the numbers of macromolecules in the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm. Osmotic shift experiments showed that the fission yeast nucleus behaves as an ideal osmometer whose volume is primarily dictated by osmotic forces. Inhibition of nuclear export caused accumulation of macromolecules and an increase in crowding in the nucleoplasm, leading to nuclear swelling. We further demonstrated that the N/C ratio is maintained by a homeostasis mechanism based upon synthesis of macromolecules during growth. These studies demonstrate the functions of colloid osmotic pressure in intracellular organization and size control.