Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A rapid standardized quantitative microfluidic system approach for evaluating human tear proteins

Purpose To explore the potential of a chip-based miniaturized capillary gel electrophoresis device in a quantitative evaluation of the human tear protein profile and to validate the method. Methods A total of 5 μl of tears were collected from 25 patients diagnosed as having mild to moderate dry eye according to Dry Eye Workshop guidelines and from 20 matched normal volunteers. Protein analysis was performed with the 2100 Bioanalyzer; different protein kit assays were evaluated (Protein 80 kit, Protein 230 kit, High Sensitivity Protein 250 kit) for sizing and quantifying protein samples from 5 to 80 kDa, 14 to 230 kDa, and 5 to 250 kDa, respectively. A standard protein ladder was loaded on each chip to allow an estimation of the appropriate molecular weight of the separated proteins; a sample buffer containing a lower and an upper marker was used to check the correct alignment of each lane. Virtual bands generated by the Bioanalyzer were identified and validated as follows: tear samples were run in parallel and proteins separated by one-dimensional and two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate–PAGE and characterized by immunoblotting, enzymatic digestion, and analysis with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry followed by a search of the SProt human protein database. Results Analyses were successfully performed by using as small as a 2 μl tear sample. The Protein 230 kit was selected as the best chip kit, able to differentiate all the proteins of interest. The measurement noise parameters were low, and reproducibility and repeatability exhibited high accuracy (0.998 and 0.995, respectively) and precision (0.974 and 0.977, respectively). The coefficient of variability was slightly higher than that declared by the manufacturer (6.2% versus 5.0%). Total protein content and the following proteins were recognized in all samples: lipophilin A lysozyme C, tear lipocalin-1, zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein, serotransferrin, lactotransferrin, and exudated serum albumin. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that this chip-based tear protein analysis is a reliable method of instrumental diagnosis in daily clinical activity and may provide supporting evaluation parameters for diagnosing and managing tear-based disorders.
Manipulation of host behaviour by parasites: a weakening paradigm?

New scientific paradigms often generate an early wave of enthusiasm among researchers and a barrage of studies seeking to validate or refute the newly proposed idea. All else being equal, the strength and direction of the empirical evidence being published should not change over time, allowing one to assess the generality of the paradigm based on the gradual accumulation of evidence. Here, I examine the relationship between the magnitude of published quantitative estimates of parasite–induced changes in host behaviour and year of publication from the time the adaptive host manipulation hypothesis was first proposed. Two independent data sets were used, both originally gathered for other purposes. First, across 137 comparisons between the behaviour of infected and uninfected hosts, the estimated relative influence of parasites correlated negatively with year of publication. This effect was contingent upon the transmission mode of the parasites studied. The negative relationship was very strong among studies of parasites which benefit from host manipulation (transmission to the next host occurs by predation on an infected intermediate host), i.e. among studies which were explicit tests of the adaptive manipulation hypothesis. There was no correlation with year of publication among studies on other types of parasites which do not seem to receive benefits from host manipulation. Second, among 14 estimates of the relative, parasite–mediated increase in transmission rate (i.e. increases in predation rates by definitive hosts on intermediate hosts), the estimated influence of parasites again correlated negatively with year of publication. These results have several possible explanations, but tend to suggest biases with regard to what results are published through time as accepted paradigms changed.
Rocky intertidal community structure in oceanic islands: scales of spatial variability

There is a clear bias in the literature on island ecology towards terrestrial rather than marine systems, which have remained comparatively poorly studied. Marine populations are typi- cally open, and local production may have little impact on local recruitment, such that long-distance dispersal is an important determinant of population ecology. Since oceanic islands form discrete patches of habitat surrounded by a structurally different environment, we tested the general hypo- thesis that processes operating at the scale of islands have a greater influence on these populations than the processes operating at smaller, intra-island scales. A hierarchical design examined the pat- terns of abundance and distribution of conspicuous taxa at 3 tidal heights at a range of spatial scales, ranging from a few meters to hundreds of kilometres apart in the rocky intertidal of the Azores. Both uni- and multivariate analyses showed that at the largest scale (islands), significant variation was detected in the lower and mid-shore communities, but not on the upper shore. Along the vertical gradient of immersion there was a trend for increasing small-scale patchiness towards the top of the shore. The potential role of local environmental stress gradients and broad-scale oceanographic patterns of recruitment in structuring these assemblages is discussed. This study corroborates the suitability of the analytical tools used here to examine patterns of distribution over a range of spatial scales and its applicability in the field of island marine ecology.
Littoral macroinvertebrates of acidified lakes in the Bohemian Forest

Mountain lakes in the Bohemian Forest, on both the Czech and German sides, were atmospherically acidified mainly in the 1960s–1980s and have since been recovering from acidification. In 2007, we performed the first complete study on littoral macroinvertebrates in all eight lakes. The goals of the study were to 1) compare macroinvertebrates in the lakes during the process of recovery and 2) investigate relations between the occurrence of taxa and water chemistry. Lake water pH varied from 4.6 to 5.7, concentrations of dissolved reactive Al and labile Al ranged from 118–601 and 11–470 μg L−1, respectively, and DOC concentrations were < 6 mg L−1. Altogether 73 taxa were identified from all lakes; a positive relationship was found between pH and the number of macroinvertebrate taxa. The highest number of taxa was found in the least acidic lakes Laka and Grosser Arbersee, including the mollusk Pisidium casertanum. In contrast, the lowest diversity was found in the most acidified Čertovo jezero. Cluster analyses of macroinvertebrates and water chemistry suggested pH as the key factor influencing the occurrence of macroinvertebrate taxa. An interesting finding was the occurrence of the boreo-montane water beetle Nebrioporus assimilis in Prášilské record of this species in the Czech Republic since 1960.
Automatic CAD System for HEp-2 Cell Image Classification

It has been estimated that autoimmune diseases are among the top ten leading causes of death among women in all age groups up to 65 years. However, the detection of it by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) image analysis depends heavily on the experience of the physicians. An accurate and automatic Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system will help greatly for the classification of the Human Epithelial type 2 (HEp-2) cell images with little human intervention. In this paper we present an automatic HEp-2 cell image classification technique that exploits different spatial scaled image representation and sparse coding of SIFT features. Additionally, spatial max pooling of sparse coding at different scales is used to boost the classification performance. The proposed method is tested on the ICPR 2012 contest dataset and experiments show that it clearly outperforms state-of-the-art techniques in cell and image level as well as two intensity level images.
Present Value Model, Bubbles and Returns Predictability: Sector-Level Evidence

Evidence regarding the validity of the present value model for stock prices has typically been assessed at index level. Moreover, such research typically rejects the model. In contrast research at the firm level is more supportive of the model. This paper, using the present value model as the base for analysis, considers sector level data. Three main objectives motivate the paper. First, to fill the gap in the research noted above. Second, to see if the recent technology bubble affected all other sectors. Third, to examine returns predictability using the present value model adjusted for the presence of bubbles. The results suggest, first, only limited support for the simple present value model, supporting the notion that as data are aggregated then the information content of dividends becomes obscured. Second, that the late 1990s bubble affected all sectors with the exception of the more traditional industrial sectors, which have seen significant price rises following the end of the early 2000s bear market. Third, a regime switching model that incorporates both a fundamental and bubble component demonstrates that when the bubble component is small the dividend yield acts as a reasonable predictor of sector returns, however, when the bubble is large prices become disconnected from dividends. The results here inform our knowledge of the present value model and should be of interest both to researchers attempting to model market behaviour and investors attempting to forecast it. Copyright (c) 2009 The Author Journal compilation (c) 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Investigating factors affecting students’ performance to PISA Science items

The present paper aims to investigate, on the one hand, the extent to which PISA Science items validly assess the knowledge and skills of 15 year-old Greek students, while, on the other hand, to examine the effect of the following factors: student’s gender, scientific processes and contexts (situations) on the students’ performance in these PISA items. The research used paper-and-pencil test with published PISA Science items, conducted individual semi-structured interviews with 15 year-old students and finally marked the students’ responses, according to the PISA marking guide. Τhe basic finding resulting from the data analysis is that the paper-and-pencil test with the PISA Science items does not tend, unlike the interview, to effectively record the Greek students’ Science knowledge and skills. Moreover, the analysis revealed that the performance of students in the PISA Science items (paper-and-pencil test and interview) tend to be independent of the student’s gender and depend on the context in which the knowledge and processes are assessed. Additionally, the possible correlation between the students’ performance and the factor of scientific processes seems to depend on the setting in which the students provide their responses (paper-and-pencil test or interview).
Efficient regression test selection and recommendation approach for component based software

Component-based software system may contain external components as well as in-house built components. During the maintenance phase the components get altered or modified very often. The type of testing which not only ensures that the modified component is working fine but also ensures that the changes have no adverse or effects on the rest of the system is called as regression testing. But due to lack of the knowledge about the third party components and the modifications done in the components, it is difficult for the component users or testers to do an appropriate selection of the test cases from the original test suite for testing the altered system. Thus there is a need of an efficient regression test selection approach which results in a reduced and effective regression test suite. The paper proposes an approach `Regression Test Selection and Recommendation' which uses UML state chart diagrams and sequence diagrams to identify the changes which are further used for classification of initial test suite, selection and recommendation of test cases and development of a regression test suite. The aim is to reduce the size of the test suite effectively and also adhere to the quality of regression testing. The approach is validated using case study of Automated Teller Machine.
Genetic control of Eucalyptus urophylla and E. grandis resistance to canker caused by Chrysoporthe cubensis

Chrysophorte cubensis induced canker occurs in nearly all tropical and subtropical regions where eucalypts are planted, causing losses in both wood quality and volume productivity, especially so in the warmer and more humid regions of Brazil. The wide inter and intra-specific genetic variability of resistance to canker among Eucalyptus species facilitates the selection of resistant plants. In this study, we evaluated resistance to this pathogen in five Eucalyptus grandis (G) and 15 E. urophylla (U) trees, as well as in 495 individuals from 27 progenies derived from crosses between the trees. In the field, six-months-old test seedlings were inoculated with C. cubensis. Lesion length in the xylem and bark was measured eight months later. The results demonstrated that xylem lesions could preferentially be used for the selection of resistant clones. Eight trees (7 U and 1 G) were susceptible, and the remainder (8 U and 4 G) resistant. Individual narrow and broad sense heritability estimates were 17 and 81%, respectively, thereby suggesting that canker resistance is quantitative and highly dependent on dominance and epistasis.
Productivity and soil fertility as effected by organic manures and inorganic fertilizers in greengram (Vigna radiata) - wheat (Triticum aestivum) system

Field experiments were conducted during khar if and rabi for 2 consecutive years (2002-03 and 2003-04) at Hisar to evaluate the direct and residual effect of organic manures and phosphorus on productivity, nutrient up- take, soil fertility and economics of greengram-wheat cropping system. Three levels of organic manures (no or- ganic manure, FYM 5 tonne/ha and vermicompost 5 tonne/ha) and 3 phosphorus levels (control, 9 and 18 kg P/ha)
Strategic human resource practices and innovation performance: the mediating role of knowledge management capacity

This study examines the role of knowledge management capacity in the relationship between strategic human resource practices and innovation performance from the knowledge-based view. This study uses regression analysis to test the hypotheses in a sample of 146 firms. The results indicate that strategic human resource practices are positively related to knowledge management capacity which, in turn, has a positive effect on innovation performance. The findings provide evidence that knowledge management capacity plays a mediating role between strategic human resource practices and innovation performance. Finally, this study discusses managerial implications and highlights future research directions.
Super‐recognisers in Action: Evidence from Face‐matching and Face Memory Tasks

Summary Individuals employed in forensic or security settings are often required to compare faces of ID holders to document photographs, or to recognise the faces of suspects in closed‐circuit television footage. It has long been established that both tasks produce a high error rate amongst typical perceivers. This study sought to determine the performance of individuals with exceptionally good face memory (‘super‐recognisers’) on applied facial identity matching and memory tasks. In experiment 1, super‐recognisers were significantly better than controls when matching target faces to simultaneously presented line‐ups. In experiment 2, super‐recognisers were also better at recognising faces from video footage. These findings suggest that super‐recognisers are more accurate at face matching and face memory tasks than typical perceivers, and they could be valuable expert employees in national security and forensic settings. © 2015 The Authors Applied Cognitive Psychology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The Public, the Media and Agricultural Biotechnology

* Perspectives on communication about agricultural biotechnology. * Public perceptions of agricultural biotechnology in Britain: the case of genetically modified foods * German reactions to genetic engineering in food production * Mass media and public perceptions of red and green biotechnology. A case study from Switzerland * Genetically Modified Foods: U.S. Public Opinion Research Polls. * Biotechnology and consumer information * What do Brazilians think about transgenics? * Where do science debates come from? Understanding attention cycles and framing * Opinion climates, spirals of silence, and biotechnology Public opinion as a heuristic for scientific decision-making * The hostile media effect and opinions about biotechnology * Risk communication, risk beliefs, and democracy: The case of agricultural biotechnology * The GEO-PIE Project: Case study of web-based outreach at Cornell University, USA * Governing controversial technologies: Consensus conferences as a communication tool * The Bt corn experience in the Philippines: A multi-stakeholder convergence * Food aid crisis and communication about GM foods: Experience from Southern Africa * Approval process and adoption of Bollgard Cotton in India: A private company perspective.
Changing directions in Italy's manufacturing industrial districts

Scholarship concerning Italy's remarkable industrial districts is in need of an overhaul. The scholarship to date is characterised by descriptive work (rather than analysis and models) that makes repeated use of a paradigm containing many ideological assumptions; this paradigm does not seem to withstand examination utilising recent data. In particular, the paper argues that the idea of loose relationships amongst firms (also known as ‘flexibility’) demands revision. Such a revised approach is followed in research reported in the paper on the footwear industry in two industrial districts: the Emilian footwear districts of Fusignano and San Mauro Pascoli.
Cue dependent right hemineglect in schizophrenia: a kinematic analysis

OBJECTIVES Schizophrenia may result from disturbed attentional processes and/or defective internal cueing. Attention for subsequent action within a cued movement task was therefore studied, testing specific hypotheses of hemispheric dysfunction and of impaired interhemispheric communication. METHOD Fifteen patients with schizophrenia and 15 matched controls were either cued or uncued when moving a pen to a target on their right or left side with their right or left hand. Pen tip position was sampled at 200 Hz on a WACOM SD420 graphics tablet for subsequent kinematic analysis. RESULTS Patients with schizophrenia were slower initiating rightwards movements without a cue. Patients also exhibited reduced abductive/adductive differences in the shape of their movement trajectories, implying differences in interhemispheric communication. CONCLUSIONS It is speculated that schizophrenia is a form of cue dependent right hemineglect.
Corneal Biomechanical Findings in Contact Lens Induced Corneal Warpage

Purpose. To evaluate the difference in biomechanical properties between contact lens induced corneal warpage and normal and keratoconic eyes. Method. Prospective observational case control study, where 94 eyes of 47 warpage suspicious and 46 eyes of 23 keratoconic patients were included. Warpage suspected cases were followed until a definite diagnosis was made (warpage, normal, or keratoconus). Results. 44 eyes of 22 patients had contact lens related corneal warpage. 46 eyes of 23 people were diagnosed as nonwarpage normal eyes. 46 eyes of 23 known keratoconus patients were included for comparison. The mean age of the participants was 23.8 ± 3.8 years, and 66.2% of the subjects were female. The demographic and refractive data were not different between warpage and normal groups but were different in the keratoconus group. The biomechanical properties (corneal hysteresis or CH and corneal resistance factor or CRF) were different with the highest value in the warpage group followed by normal and keratoconus groups. CRF was 10.08 ± 1.75, 9.23 ± 1.22, and 7.38 ± 2.14 and CH was 10.21 ± 1.57, 9.59 ± 1.21, and 8.69 ± 2.34 in the warpage, normal, and keratoconus groups, respectively. Conclusion. Corneal biomechanics may be different in people who develop contact lens induced warpage.
Target Tracking for Sensor Networks

Target-tracking algorithms typically organize the network into a logical structure (e.g., tree, cluster, or faces) to enable data fusion and reduce communication costs. These algorithms often predict the target’s future position. In addition to using position forecasts for decision making, we can also use such information to save energy by activating only the set of sensors nearby the target’s trajectory. In this work, we survey of the state of the art of target-tracking techniques in sensor networks. We identify three different formulations for the target-tracking problem and classify the target-tracking algorithms based on common characteristics. Furthermore, for the sake of a better understanding of the target-tracking process, we organize this process in six components: target detection, node cooperation, position computation, future-position estimation, energy management, and target recovery. Each component has different solutions that affect the target-tracking performance.
Age of an allele and gene genealogies of nested subsamples for populations admitting large offspring numbers

Coalescent processes, including mutation, are derived from Moran type population models admitting large offspring numbers. Including mutation in the coalescent process allows for quantifying the turnover of alleles by computing the distribution of the number of original alleles still segregating in the population at a given time in the past. The turnover of alleles is considered for specific classes of the Moran model admitting large offspring numbers. Versions of the Kingman coalescent are also derived whose rates are functions of the mean and variance of the offspring distribution. High variance in the offspring distribution results in higher turnover and younger age of alleles than predicted by the usual Kingman coalescent.