Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Developing Cotton Fibers by Confocal Raman Microscopy

Cellulose deposition in developing cotton fibers has been studied previously with analytical techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Recent technological developments in instrumentation have made Raman microscopy emerge as an extraordinary analytical tool in biological and plant research. The advantage of using confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) resides in the lateral spatial resolution and in the fact that Raman spectroscopy provides not only chemical composition information, but also structural information. Cross-sections of cotton fibers harvested at different developmental stages were studied with CRM. The Raman bands assigned to cellulose were analyzed. The results of this study indicate that CRM can be used as a tool to study cellulose deposition in cotton fibers and could provide useful information on cellulose deposition during cotton fiber development.
Decayed, missing and filled teeth index and dental anomalies in long-term survivors leukaemic children: A prospective controlled study

Objective: The aim of this prospective controlled study is the comparison between long-term children survived leukaemia and a control group in terms of the decayed, missing or filled permanent teeth (DMFT) and dental anomalies. Study design: Fifty-two long term children survived leukaemia, aged from 8 to 15 years (27 females, 25 males; mean age 11.5 years) were evaluated for the possible effects of the anti-leukaemic therapy on dental development and compared to a control group of 52 healthy children (27 females, 25 males, mean age 11 years). All long-term children who survived were at least 24 months in continuous complete remission. The study of the dental status with a routine oral examination and panoramic radiographs was performed. The DMFT (recorded according to the WHO criteria) and dental anomalies were registered and evaluated. Results: The results of this study evidence that long-term children survived leukaemia, in comparison with the control group, have an higher risk to develop dental caries and show a greater severity of dental anomalies including V-shaped roots, dental agenesis, microdontia, enamel dysplasias. Conclusions: Paediatric patients with haemathological diseases require a special attentions in dental care in addition to the antineoplastic treatment. Therefore, oral hygiene and oral health can be maintained thanks to a close cooperation between the paediatric oncohaematologists, pediatrics dental surgeons and dental hygienists. Key words:Paediatric leukaemia, dental anomalies, children.
Living off the land: The connection between cropland, food security, and violence against civilians

Food security has attracted widespread attention in recent years. Yet, despite preliminary evidence connecting food insecurity to political violence, we lack a systematic understanding of the relationship(s) between local food resources and violence against civilians. This study develops a food-security based theory to explain the significant variation that we observe in violence against civilians across both time and subnational geographic space. We argue that combatants, be they government or rebel actors, often must turn to local agricultural resources for sustenance. During times of relative peace, armed actors and civilians have long time horizons, and the prospects of repeated interactions thereby promote a strategy of co-optation to obtain food resources. However, the existence of immediate conflict in a region leads armed actors to discount the benefits of future interactions in favor of obtaining food immediately, using violence if necessary. In estimating a series of statistical models on a sample of all African countries (1997–2009), we find robust support for our expectations: cropland increases the frequency of violence against civilians during periods of conflict, but has an added pacifying effect during times of peace.
Copper Uptake in Mammary Epithelial Cells Activates Cyclins and Triggers Antioxidant Response

The toxicologic effects of copper (Cu) on tumor cells have been studied during the past decades, and it is suggested that Cu ion may trigger antiproliferative effects in vitro. However, in normal cells the toxicologic effects of high exposures of free Cu are not well understood. In this work, Cu uptake, the expression of genes associated with cell cycle regulation, and the levels of ROS production and related oxidative processes were evaluated in Cu-treated mammary epithelial MCF10A nontumoral cells. We have shown that the Cu additive is associated with the activation of cyclin D1 and cyclin B1, as well as cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). These nontumor cells respond to Cu-induced changes in the oxidative balance by increase of the levels of reduced intracellular glutathione (GSH), decrease of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and accumulation during progression of the cell cycle, thus preventing the cell abnormal proliferation or death. Taken together, our findings revealed an effect that contributes to prevent a possible damage of normal cells exposed to chemotherapeutic effects of drugs containing the Cu ion.
Endogenous Activation of Kainate Receptors Regulates Glutamate Release and Network Activity in the Developing Hippocampus

Kainate receptors (KARs) are highly expressed throughout the neonatal brain, but their function during development is unclear. Here, we show that the maturation of the hippocampus is associated with a switch in the functional role of presynaptic KARs. In a developmental period restricted to the first postnatal week, endogenous l-glutamate tonically activates KARs at CA3 glutamatergic synapses to regulate release in an action potential-independent manner. At synapses onto pyramidal cells, KARs inhibit glutamate release via a G-protein and PKC-dependent mechanism. In contrast, at glutamatergic terminals onto CA3 interneurons, presynaptic KARs can facilitate release in a G-protein-independent mechanism. In both cell types, however, KAR activation strongly upregulates inhibitory transmission. We show that, through the interplay of these novel diverse mechanisms, KARs strongly regulate the characteristic synchronous network activity observed in the neonatal hippocampus. By virtue of this, KARs are likely to play a central role in the development of hippocampal synaptic circuits.
Effects of implantation of hypertrophied androgenic glands on sexual characters and physiology of the reproductive system in the female red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus.

The role of the androgenic gland (AG), an organ unique to male Crustacea, in the development of sex characters and physiology of the reproductive system has not been fully documented in the red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus. To investigate the role of the AG in this species, the effect of implanting hypertrophied AGs into immature female animals was followed. Of the female animals with AG implants, 91.6% developed male-like propodi, including the red patch characteristic of males of this species. The development of female secondary sex characteristics such as a wider abdomen, a wider endopod, and simple setation was inhibited. At the end of the experiment, the ovaries of the AG-implanted females contained mostly lipid-stage oocytes, with a small number of oocytes at the early yolk stage. The gonadosomatic index of the AG-implanted females was significantly lower than that of the control (sperm duct-implanted or sham-operated) females, which had mature oocytes with a well-defined perinuclear zone and yolk globules. An immunohistochemical test using an antibody developed against a 106-kDa secondary vitellogenic polypeptide showed only slight immunoreactivity in the oocytes of AG-implanted females compared with abundant immunoreactivity in control ovaries. In the polypeptide profile of the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) from the hemolymph of AG-implanted females, the 206- and 79-kDa secondary vitellogenesis-specific polypeptides were not found, whereas they were present in the profile of control females. In contrast, the female-specific 177-kDa polypeptide was present in the polypeptide profile of hemolymph HDL of both AG-implanted females and control females. It seems therefore that while secondary sex characters were masculinized under the influence of the implanted AG, the process of vitellogenesis was suppressed but not fully eliminated in the AG-implanted females.
Surface strain measurements of fingertip skin under shearing

The temporal evolution of surface strain, resulting from a combination of normal and tangential loading forces on the fingerpad, was calculated from high-resolution images. A customized robotic device loaded the fingertip with varying normal force, tangential direction and tangential speed. We observed strain waves that propagated from the periphery to the centre of the contact area. Consequently, different regions of the contact area were subject to varying degrees of compression, stretch and shear. The spatial distribution of both the strains and the strain energy densities depended on the stimulus direction. Additionally, the strains varied with the normal force level and were substantial, e.g. peak strains of 50% with a normal force of 5 N, i.e. at force levels well within the range of common dexterous manipulation tasks. While these observations were consistent with some theoretical predictions from contact mechanics, we also observed substantial deviations as expected given the complex geometry and mechanics of fingertips. Specifically, from in-depth analyses, we conclude that some of these deviations depend on local fingerprint patterns. Our data provide useful information for models of tactile afferent responses and background for the design of novel haptic interfaces.
The paradox of higher vocational education: the teaching assistant game, the pursuit of capital and the self

Abstract This article discusses the reasons offered by one group of paraprofessionals to explain their decision to study for a work-related higher education programme. It reports on an ethnographically inspired piece of research that aimed to capture the initial motives that a group of teaching assistants had for studying for a Foundation degree at a post-1992 university. This group of students were largely female mature students, who were also overwhelmingly mothers with dependent children. It is suggested that Bourdieu’s concepts of field, capital, habitus and illusio can be utilised to understand why these learners become motivated to enter higher vocational education. Workplace change and the pursuit of capital are highlighted as being a catalyst for the fracturing of illusio, career switching and undergraduate study. Somewhat counterintuitively, virtually all the students indicated that they had decided to study for a qualification that was primarily designed to help them succeed in their existing employment role as a means of acquiring a new occupational role and version of self.
Minimalist Social-Affective Value for Use in Joint Action: A Neural-Computational Hypothesis

Joint Action is typically described as social interaction that requires coordination among two or more co-actors in order to achieve a common goal. In this article, we put forward a hypothesis for the existence of a neural-computational mechanism of affective valuation that may be critically exploited in Joint Action. Such a mechanism would serve to facilitate coordination between co-actors permitting a reduction of required information. Our hypothesized affective mechanism provides a value function based implementation of Associative Two-Process (ATP) theory that entails the classification of external stimuli according to outcome expectancies. This approach has been used to describe animal and human action that concerns differential outcome expectancies. Until now it has not been applied to social interaction. We describe our Affective ATP model as applied to social learning consistent with an “extended common currency” perspective in the social neuroscience literature. We contrast this to an alternative mechanism that provides an example implementation of the so-called social-specific value perspective. In brief, our Social-Affective ATP mechanism builds upon established formalisms for reinforcement learning (temporal difference learning models) nuanced to accommodate expectations (consistent with ATP theory) and extended to integrate non-social and social cues for use in Joint Action.
Optimizing dynamic performance scaling for user interface performance

In this paper we introduce a novel approach for measuring and estimating effect of performance scaling for user interface latency and power consumption. Growing demand for higher performance in battery powered devices such laptop PC's has spawned techniques for dynamically decreasing performance in order to save energy and yet preserve high peak performance. For the evaluation of this approach we analyse system that uses dynamic voltage and frequency scaling technology for reducing power consumption based on CPU load. We focus on analysing effect of different parameters of the dynamic performance scaling such as length of time between load predictions. By using this measurement approach we were able to distinguish clear differences in energy consumption as well as in user interface performance.
Cyclic GMP–gated Channels in a Sympathetic Neuron Cell Line

The stimulation of IP3 production by muscarinic agonists causes both intracellular Ca2+ release and activation of a voltage-independent cation current in differentiated N1E-115 cells, a neuroblastoma cell line derived from mouse sympathetic ganglia. Earlier work showed that the membrane current requires an increase in 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) produced through the NO-synthase/guanylyl cyclase cascade and suggested that the cells may express cyclic nucleotide–gated ion channels. This was tested using patch clamp methods. The membrane permeable cGMP analogue, 8-br-cGMP, activates Na+ permeable channels in cell attached patches. Single channel currents were recorded in excised patches bathed in symmetrical Na+ solutions. cGMP-dependent single channel activity consists of prolonged bursts of rapid openings and closings that continue without desensitization. The rate of occurrence of bursts as well as the burst length increase with cGMP concentration. The unitary conductance in symmetrical 160 mM Na+ is 47 pS and is independent of voltage in the range −50 to +50 mV. There is no apparent effect of voltage on opening probability. The dose response curve relating cGMP concentration to channel opening probability is fit by the Hill equation assuming an apparent K D of 10 μm and a Hill coefficient of 2. In contrast, cAMP failed to activate the channel at concentrations as high as 100 μm. Cyclic nucleotide gated (CNG) channels in N1E-115 cells share a number of properties with CNG channels in sensory receptors. Their presence in neuronal cells provides a mechanism by which activation of the NO/cGMP pathway by G-protein–coupled neurotransmitter receptors can directly modify Ca2+ influx and electrical excitability. In N1E-115 cells, Ca2+ entry by this pathway is necessary to refill the IP3-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pool during repeated stimulation and CNG channels may play a similar role in other neurons.
Classic thrombophilic gene variants

Summary Thrombophilia is defined as a condition predisposing to the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) on the basis of a hypercoagu-lable state. Over the past decades, great advances in the pathogenesis of VTE have been made and nowadays it is well established that a thrombophilic state may be associated with acquired and/or inherited factors. The rare loss-of-function mutations of the genes encoding natural anticoagulant proteins (i. e. protein C, protein S and antithrombin) and the more common gain-of-function polymorphisms factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A are the main genetic determinants of thrombophilia. In addition, non-O blood group has been consistently demonstrated to be the most frequent inherited marker of an increased risk of VTE. The mechanism role of these inherited thrombophilia markers will be discussed in this narrative review.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE LOAN STATUS OF SUGARCANE FARMERS USING A GRADUATED MORTGAGE LOAN REPAYMENT SCHEME IN KWAZULU-NATAL

Factors affecting whether or not 83 medium-scale sugarcane farmers using a graduated mortgage loan repayment scheme in KwaZulu-Natal were current or in arrears on loan repayments as at 31 March 2001 were analysed using a logit model. Results show that the estimated probability of a farmer in the scheme being current on loan repayments was higher for clients with higher levels of average annual gross turnover relative to loan size, and for clients with access to substantive offfarm income. This suggests that farm size (proxied by annual gross turnover) does matter when policymakers in South Africa consider future similar schemes designed to improve access to commercial farmland by people that previously could not buy farmland. Access to off-farm income could also be considered as a criterion in selecting potential farmers for such schemes as it helps to provide additional liquidity to fund future operations and debt repayments.
Programm- und Outputevaluation einer Intervention zur Förderung des sozialen Selbstkonzepts im Sportunterricht

Zusammenfassung. Neben den positiven Effekten auf die korperliche und motorische Entwicklung wird dem Sportunterricht auch attestiert, psychische Merkmale von Kindern auf eine positive Weise zu beeinflussen. Die vorliegende quasi-experimentelle Langsschnittstudie untersuchte die Effekte einer 14-wochigen Intervention zur Forderung des sozialen Selbstkonzepts. 307 Schulerinnen und Schuler (M Alter = 10.92, SD = 0.64) nahmen an der Studie teil, bei welcher sie einen Fragebogen zu funf Facetten des sozialen Selbstkonzepts ausfullten. Varianzanalysen mit Messwiederholung zeigten, dass insbesondere eine intensive Schulung und Begleitung der Lehrkrafte zu einer verbesserten Implementationsqualitat fuhrt und dass nur diese erhohte Implementationsqualitat das Selbstkonzept der Kooperationsfahigkeit der Schulerinnen und Schuler positiv zu beeinflussen vermag. Die Erweiterung des Sportunterrichts mit kognitiven Methoden und die Steuerung der Implementationsqualitat scheinen fur die Forderung des sozialen Selbstkonz.
Amnesia for Traumatic Events Among Recent Survivors: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Objective: Traumatic amnesia has been amply documented in the psychoanalytic literature but inconsistently in the research literature. Method: Six trauma patients were followed prospectively. Survivors were interviewed 7, 30, and 120 days following the traumatic event. Each interview documented in detail their recollections of the day of their trauma. Results: In four subjects who did not develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), we found brief, stable, and persiste memory gaps, which coincided with the moment of greatest emotional intensity. In two subjects who developed PTSD, we found, in addition to the previous form of amnesia, longer, progressive, and unstable memory gaps. Discussion: Neurobiological research offers two explanatory mechanisms for the observations: A failure of acquisition of episodic memories may account for the stable deficits seen in all subjects. This could coincide with stress-induced malfunction of the hippocampal declarative memory system. A failure of spontaneous recall may account for the more extended traumatic amnesia that was observed in PTSD patients. This resembles the psychoanalytic description of repression. Conclusion: These preliminary findings suggest that brief, irreversible memory gaps are common in trauma survivors, whereas longer, progressive, and potentially reversible amnesia occurs among survivors who develop PTSD.
A Framework for Implementing Biodiversity Offsets: Selecting Sites and Determining Scale

Biodiversity offsets provide a mechanism for maintaining or enhancing environmental values in situations where development is sought despite detrimental environmental impacts. They seek to ensure that unavoidable negative environmental impacts of development are balanced by environmental gains, with the overall aim of achieving a net neutral or positive outcome. Once the decision has been made to offset, multiple issues arise regarding how to do so in practice. A key concern is site selection. In light of the general aim to locate offsets close to the affected sites to ensure that benefits accrue in the same area, what is the appropriate spatial scale for identifying potential offset sites (e.g., local, ecoregional)? We use the Marxan site-selection algorithm to address conceptual and methodological challenges associated with identifying a set of potential offset sites and determining an appropriate spatial scale for them. To demonstrate this process, we examined the design of offsets for impacts from development on the Jonah natural gas field in Wyoming.
Epigenetic changes of mesenchymal stem cells in three-dimensional (3D) spheroids

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold profound promise in tissue repair/regeneration. However, MSCs undergo remarkable spontaneous differentiation and aging during monolayer culture expansion. In this study, we found that 2–3 days of three‐dimensional (3D) spheroid culture of human MSCs (hMSCs) that had been expanded in monolayer for six passages increased their clonogenicity and differentiation potency to neuronal cells. Moreover, in accordance with these changes, the expression levels of miRNA which were involved in stem cell potency were changed and levels of histone H3 acetylation in K9 in promoter regions of Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog were elevated. Our results indicate that spheroid culture increases their multi‐potency and changes the epigenetic status of pluripotent genes in hMSCs.
Holography and Riemann surfaces

We study holography for asymptotically AdS spaces with an arbitrary genus compact Riemann surface as the conformal boundary. Such spaces can be constructed from the Euclidean AdS_3 by discrete identifications: the discrete groups one uses are the so-called classical Schottky groups. As we show, the spaces so constructed have an appealing interpretation of ``analytic continuations'' of the known Lorentzian signature black hole solutions: it is one of the motivations for our generalization of the holography to this case. We use the semi-classical approximation to the gravity path integral, and calculate the gravitational action for each space, which is given by the (appropriately regularized) volume of the space. As we show, the regularized volume reproduces exactly the action of Liouville theory, as defined on arbitrary Riemann surfaces by Takhtajan and Zograf. Using the results as to the properties of this action, we discuss thermodynamics of the spaces and analyze the boundary CFT partition function. Some aspects of our construction, such as the thermodynamical interpretation of the Teichmuller (Schottky) spaces, may be of interest for mathematicians working on Teichmuller theory.
Volume, Opinion Divergence and Returns: A Study of Post-Earnings Announcement Drift

This paper examines the relationship between post-earnings announcement returns and different measures of volume at the earnings date. We find that post-event returns are strictly increasing in the component of volume that is unexplained by prior trading activity. We interpret unexplained volume as an indicator of opinion divergence among investors and conclude that post-event returns are increasing in ex ante opinion divergence. Our evidence is consistent with Varian [1985], who suggests that opinion divergence may be treated as an additional risk factor affecting asset prices. Copyright University of Chicago on behalf of the Institute of Professional Accounting, 2006.