Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of a restart break for recycling with optimal performance depends critically on circadian timing.

OBJECTIVES Under simulated shift-work conditions, we investigated the efficacy of a restart break for maintaining neurobehavioral functioning across consecutive duty cycles, as a function of the circadian timing of the duty periods. DESIGN As part of a 14-day experiment, subjects underwent two cycles of five simulated daytime or nighttime duty days, separated by a 34-hour restart break. Cognitive functioning and high-fidelity driving simulator performance were tested 4 times per day during the two duty cycles. Lapses on a psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) served as the primary outcome variable. Selected sleep periods were recorded polysomnographically. SETTING The experiment was conducted under standardized, controlled laboratory conditions with continuous monitoring. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-seven healthy adults (13 men, 14 women; aged 22-39 years) participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS Subjects were randomly assigned to a nighttime duty (experimental) condition or a daytime duty (control) condition. The efficacy of the 34-hour restart break for maintaining neurobehavioral functioning from the pre-restart duty cycle to the post-restart duty cycle was compared between these two conditions. RESULTS Relative to the daytime duty condition, the nighttime duty condition was associated with reduced amounts of sleep, whereas sleep latencies were shortened and slow-wave sleep appeared to be conserved. Neurobehavioral performance measures ranging from lapses of attention on the PVT to calculated fuel consumption on the driving simulators remained optimal across time of day in the daytime duty schedule, but degraded across time of night in the nighttime duty schedule. The 34-hour restart break was efficacious for maintaining PVT performance and other objective neurobehavioral functioning profiles from one duty cycle to the next in the daytime duty condition, but not in the nighttime duty condition. Subjective sleepiness did not reliably track objective neurobehavioral deficits. CONCLUSIONS The 34-hour restart break was adequate for maintaining performance in the case of optimal circadian placement of sleep and duty periods (control condition) but was inadequate (and perhaps even detrimental) for maintaining performance in a simulated nighttime duty schedule (experimental condition). Current US transportation hours-of-service regulations mandate time off duty but do not consider the circadian aspects of shift scheduling. Reinforcing a recent trend of applying sleep science to inform policymaking for duty and rest times, our findings indicate that restart provisions in hours-of-service regulations could be improved by taking the circadian timing of the duty schedules into account.
A Novel Variation Operator for More Rapid Evolution of DNA Error Correcting Codes.

Error correcting codes over the edit metric have been used as embedded DNA markers in at least one sequencing project. The algorithm used to construct those codes was an evolutionary algorithm with a fitness function with exponential time complexity. Presented here is an substantially faster evolutionary algorithm for locating error correcting codes over the edit metric that exhibits either equivalent or only slightly inferior performance on test cases. The new algorithm can produce codes for parameters where the run-time of the earlier algorithm was prohibitive. The new algorithm is a novel type of evolutionary algorithm using a greedy algorithm to implement a variation operator. This variation operator is the sole variation operator used and has unary, binary, and k-ary forms. The unary and binary forms are compared, with the binary form being found superior. Population size and the rate of introduction of random material by the variation operator are also studied. A high rate of introduction of random material and a small population size are found to be the best.
Validation of the complexity index method at three manufacturing companies

In order to manage increasing numbers of product variants, tools that can reduce or manage production complexity are vital. The paper describes CompleXity Index (CXI), an index-based method and tool that assess the complexity at an industrial workstation. CXI was validated at three Swedish manufacturing companies investigating how different roles affect the index calculation and if the method measures what was intended. In all three cases, CXI was seen as a useful tool that provided a holistic view of the problems seen at a station. In addition it was indicated that complexity and unbalanced work was connected and that the method could be used to predict problem areas on new stations.
Self-organization of signal transduction

We propose a model of parameter learning for signal transduction, where the objective function is defined by signal transmission efficiency. We apply this to learn kinetic rates as a form of evolutionary learning, and look for parameters which satisfy the objective. This is a novel approach compared to the usual technique of adjusting parameters only on the basis of experimental data. The resulting model is self-organizing, i.e. perturbations in protein concentrations or changes in extracellular signaling will automatically lead to adaptation. We systematically perturb protein concentrations and observe the response of the system. We find compensatory or co-regulation of protein expression levels. In a novel experiment, we alter the distribution of extracellular signaling, and observe adaptation based on optimizing signal transmission. We also discuss the relationship between signaling with and without transients. Signaling by transients may involve maximization of signal transmission efficiency for the peak response, but a minimization in steady-state responses. With an appropriate objective function, this can also be achieved by concentration adjustment. Self-organizing systems may be predictive of unwanted drug interference effects, since they aim to mimic complex cellular adaptation in a unified way.
Digital Receiver Design for Transmitted Reference Ultra-Wideband Systems

A complete detection, channel estimation, synchronization, and equalization scheme for a transmitted reference (TR) ultra-wideband (UWB) system is proposed in this paper. The scheme is based on a data model which admits a moderate data rate and takes both the interframe interference (IFI) and the intersymbol interference (ISI) into consideration. Moreover, the bias caused by the interpulse interference (IPI) in one frame is also taken into account. Based on the analysis of the stochastic properties of the received signals, several detectors are studied and evaluated. Furthermore, a data-aided two-stage synchronization strategy is proposed, which obtains sample-level timing in the range of one symbol at the first stage and then pursues symbol-level synchronization by looking for the header at the second stage. Three channel estimators are derived to achieve joint channel and timing estimates for the first stage, namely, the linear minimum mean square error (LMMSE) estimator, the least squares (LS) estimator, and the matched filter (MF). We check the performance of different combinations of channel estimation and equalization schemes and try to find the best combination, that is, the one providing a good tradeoff between complexity and performance.
Organochlorine Pesticides Residues in Water and Sediment from Rusinga Island, Lake Victoria, Kenya

This study was carried out to investigate the organochlorine pesticide residue level in representative sites in Rusinga Island of Lake Victoria, Kenya. Sediment and water samples from five sites along the shores of Rusinga Island in Lake Victoria were collected and analysed for selected organochlorine pesticides (OCP) using gas chromatography equipped with electron capture detector and confirmed using GC/MS. The pesticides targeted were p,p'-DDT, γ- HCH, α- HCH, β-HCH, δ-HCH, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, endrin, endrin, aldehyde, endosulfan sulfate, methoxychlor and endosulfan. The samples were collected seasonally between the months of September 2012 to May 2013. The residue levels of organochlorine pesticides in water samples during dry season ranged between BDL to 9.84±1. 20µg/L. The levels in wet season ranged between below detection limit (BDL) to 15.53±0.20 µg/L. Organochlorine pesticide detected in sediment during dry season ranged between BDL to 32.91 ± 3.84. Wet season the levels ranged between below detection limit (BDL) to 24.84±2.65 µg/Kg. The present result shows that organochlorines pesticides are still detected in our environment which can negatively affect our environment. This study provides baseline data on the levels of OCP residues in sediment and water from Lake Victoria. This will inform policy makers on the quality of water of Lake Victoria Basin as well as supplement the country's studies as an obligation for all parties to the Stockholm Convention on POPs.
A design experiment of mortar compressive strength with different water content and different ultra fine fly ash content

This paper investigates a design experiment of mortar used to analyse the material content factor on its compressive strength. The factor analyzed were ultra fine fly ash content and w/binder ratio. The ultra fine fly ash was produced by grinding with micronizer, a jet mill, using compressed air or gas to produce particles fineness range from 0.5 to 45 microns. In addition, the ultra fine fly ash factor contained low and high values, 20% and 50% by mass of cement replacement respectively whereas w/binder ratio factor had 2 values 0.3 and 0.35. Four different mix proportions were employed to cast 50 mm mortar cubes. The mortar was tested to find their compressive strength after 28 days and 56 days of curing. The result showed at the age of 28 days, both factors have shown only slight influence on the mortar compressive strength (the fly ash size of effect is 1.40 and the w/binder ratio size of effect is 1.13). However, at the age of 56 days the differences of ultra fine fly ash content gave greater effect on mortar compressive strength than the difference of the w/binder ratio (the fly ash size of effect is 2.96 and the w/binder ratio size of effect is 1.41).
The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in University Students' Learning Experience: The Instructors' Perspective

This paper reports on a study that was undertaken to measure university instructors' perceptions of pedagogical use of various information and communication technologies (ICTs) and links these to their perceptions of effectiveness of students' learning experiences. Using a theoretically derived 54-item instrument and a rigorous probabilistic sampling strategy, survey data were collected from 2,626 instructors from 12 participating universities in Québec, Canada. Exploratory factor analyses and regression modeling demonstrate that, for the most part, effective use of office automation tools and, to some extent some text-based tools, are perceived by instructors to significantly contribute to students' learning. We however find some variance in the results when controlling for instructors' computer proficiency, faculty and gender. Results and limitations are discussed in light of current research on the role of gender, type and proficiency of ICT use as well as perceptions of teaching and learning effectiveness in higher education.
Which is the Fair Sex? Gender Differences in Altruism

We study gender differences in altruism by examining a modified dictator game with varying incomes and prices. Our results indicate that the question "which is the fair sex? " has a complicated answer--when altruism is expensive, women are kinder, but when it is cheap, men are more altruistic. That is, we find that the male and female "demand curves for altruism" cross, and that men are more responsive to price changes. Furthermore, men are more likely to be either perfectly selfish or perfectly selfless, whereas women tend to be "equalitarians" who prefer to share evenly.
Requirement for the coexpression of T3 and the T cell antigen receptor on a malignant human T cell line

The association between T3 and the T cell antigen receptor was examined using the T3 bearing T cell leukemic line Jurkat. A monoclonal antibody, C305, was produced, which reacted with idiotypic-like determinants expressed on Jurkat. The molecule with which this antibody reacted was a disulfide-linked heterodimer of 90 kD, composed of polypeptides of 42 and 54 kD. Thus, C305 reacted with a molecule with characteristics of the putative T cell antigen receptor described by others. A series of mutants of Jurkat, induced with ethyl methane sulfonate or radiation, was selected for T3 or antigen receptor negativity. In every instance, there was a concomitant loss of both T3 and the antigen receptor as assessed by quantitative absorption, indirect immunofluorescence, and antibody plus complement-mediated cytotoxicity. The absence of antigen receptor molecules was confirmed on diagonal gels, excluding the possibility that conformational changes of the antigen receptor on such T3-negative mutants were responsible for the failure of such mutants to react with C305. Moreover, in a mutant that expressed a marked decrease in the level of T3 expression, there was a comparable decrease in the expression of antigen receptor determinants. These results suggest that there is an obligate requirement for the coexpression of T3 and the T cell antigen receptor. Furthermore, attempts to activate such mutants with the lectin phytohemagglutinin suggested that the expression of T3 and/or the antigen receptor was required for activation of these cells.
NBQX or Topiramate Treatment after Perinatal Hypoxia‐induced Seizures Prevents Later Increases in Seizure‐induced Neuronal Injury

Summary: Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of NBQX (2,3‐dihydroxy‐6‐nitro‐7‐sulfamoylbenzo(f) quinoxaline‐2,3‐dione) and topiramate (TPM) given after hypoxia‐induced seizures in preventing the delayed effect of hypoxia on subsequent susceptibility to seizures and neuronal injury.
THE FACTORS IN THE DEHYDRATION FOLLOWING PYLORIC OBSTRUCTION.

The data presented in this paper were obtained from several dogs following experimental obstruction of the pylorus. The experiments were undertaken with the purpose of learning the chief factors in the causation of the rapid dehydration which follows pyloric obstruction and of explaining the prevention or repair of this change which is obtained by introducing sodium chloride and water into the body. In undertaking to investigate the cause of a reduction of the volume of body water it should at once be admitted that we have as yet only a fragmentary knowledge of the many parts of the regulatory mechanism which under usual circumstances accomplishes the remarkable adjustment of maintaining, in several elastic compartments, a closely stationary total volume of water. Certain gross data are, however, at hand which fairly satisfactorily serve the purposes of this study. It has been shown that in the presence of considerable reductions of the volume of body water the total concentration of dissolved electrolytes tends to remain stationary (1, 2). It is therefore probably permissible to postulate a close dependence of the volume of body water on the total quantity of dissolved electrolytes which the body contains. In this study the premise is used that a withdrawal of the electrolytes of the body fluids will be accompanied by a proportionate reduction of the volume of body water and that this change can only be repaired by replacing both the lost water and the lost electrolytes. The relative structural importance of each of the electrolytes in blood plasma is indicated by the diagram in figure 1, which presents
Evaluation of Performance of Different Potato Seed Tubers Types Growing in Khartoum State

Two experiments were conducted during winter season s f 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 at the Experimental Farm of the College o f Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology at Shambat. The objective was to evaluate the performance of three different types of seed tubers (imported see d class E, first generation produced in Merowi Dam area and farmer’s seed) using seed potat o tuber of two varieties ( Bellini and Mondial) for growth and yield. Parameters measured in the experiments included emergence, growth rate during growing season, yield and yield components and percentage incidence of potato leaf roll virus ( PLRV) and potato virus Y( PVY) during two season. Farmer seeds and first generation seeds were comparable in days to e mergence and were significantly high than imported seed in both seasons. Numbers of stems wer e not significantly different between treatments in both seasons. For crop cover, all see d types were similar in season one, while farmer seed and first generation seed preformed sim ilarly and were far better than imported seed in season two. In the first season the results howed significant yield differences. The highest yield was obtained by first generation seed while basic seed gave the lowest yield. Local seed tubers (first generation and farmer seed ) gave similar yield and were highly better than imported seed in second season. Two important viruses were identified namely PLRV and PVY, using sero-diagnosis Double Antibody Sandwich ELISA test (DAS ELISA test). The incidences of these viruses were in the range of 7. 14-28.57% for PLRV and 0.0%-35.7 for PVY. The local multiplied farmer seed tubers showed th e highest virus incidence compared to imported seed. First generation seed tuber recorded similar percentage and were better than farmer seed tubers. The lowest virus incidence was encountered by imported tubers.
Dry Eye after Lasik for Myopia: Incidence and Risk Factors

Purpose Patients frequently experience dry eye symptoms after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors of dry eye after myopic LASIK. Methods In this retrospective case series 190 eyes that underwent LASIK were examined for a dry eye syndrome. All patents were asymptomatic for dry eyes before surgery. Assessments included subjective complaints of dry eye, tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal staining, corneal sensitivity test, and Schirmer I test. All values were compared before and at 1 week and 1.3 and 6 months after surgery. Results For the 190 eyes, chronic dry eye persisting 6 months or more after LASIK was diagnosed in 20 percent of the eyes. Mean patient age was 31 ± 8 years. The risk for chronic dry eye was significantly associated with higher attempted refractive correction, greater ablation depth, and female sex (p=0.001). Subjective score for dryness was increased after LASIK. The greatest change from preoperative levels for all parameters was noted at 1 week. There were obvious decreases in TBUT and Schirmer value at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively relative to preoperative level (p<0.05). The Schirmer I test result was higher at 1 day but without statistical significance (p>0.05), but lower at 1 week and 3 and 6 months (p<0.05) after LASIK. Corneal sensitivity was decreased at 1 month and 3 months, and returned to the preoperative level at 6 months after LASIK. There was a statistically significant effect of age, sex, and mean spherical equivalent refraction on corneal sensitivity (p<0.001). Conclusions Patients undergoing LASIK for myopia develop dry eye with compromised tear function at least 6 months after surgery. Women and patients requiring higher refractive correction have an increased risk for developing dry eye. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2007; 17: 1–6)
Prefrontal and Monoaminergic Contributions to Stop-Signal Task Performance in Rats

Defining the neural and neurochemical substrates of response inhibition is of crucial importance for the study and treatment of pathologies characterized by impulsivity such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and addiction. The stop-signal task (SST) is one of the most popular paradigms used to study the speed and efficacy of inhibitory processes in humans and other animals. Here we investigated the effect of temporarily inactivating different prefrontal subregions in the rat by means of muscimol microinfusions on SST performance. We found that dorsomedial prefrontal cortical areas are important for inhibiting an already initiated response. We also investigated the possible neural substrates of the selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor atomoxetine via its local microinfusion into different subregions of the rat prefrontal cortex. Our results show that both orbitofrontal and dorsal prelimbic cortices mediate the beneficial effects of atomoxetine on SST performance. To assess the neurochemical specificity of these effects, we infused the α2-adrenergic agonist guanfacine and the D1/D2 antagonist α-flupenthixol in dorsal prelimbic cortex to interfere with noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission, respectively. Guanfacine, which modulates noradrenergic neurotransmission, selectively impaired stopping, whereas blocking dopaminergic receptors by α-flupenthixol infusion prolonged go reaction time only, confirming the important role of noradrenergic neurotransmission in response inhibition. These results show that, similar to humans, distinct networks play important roles during SST performance in the rat and that they are differentially modulated by noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. This study advances our understanding of the neuroanatomical and neurochemical determinants of impulsivity, which are relevant for a range of psychiatric disorders.
Intranasal exposure to monoclonal antibody Fab fragments to Japanese cedar pollen Cry j1 suppresses Japanese cedar pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis

Fab fragments (Fabs) of antibodies have the ability to bind to specific allergens but lack the Fc portion that exerts effector functions via binding to receptors including FcεR1 on mast cells. In the present study, we investigated whether intranasal administration of the effector function‐lacking Fabs of a monoclonal antibody IgG1 (mAb, P1‐8) to the major allergen Cry j1 of Japanese cedar pollen (JCP) suppressed JCP‐induced allergic rhinitis in mice.
Solar proxies pertaining to empirical ionospheric total electron content models

[1] Solar proxies and indices exhibiting extreme ultraviolet (EUV) irradiance that affects the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) were examined through training an artificial neural network (ANN). A TEC database was constructed from a dense GPS receiver network over Japan from April 1997 to March 2008, covering an entire 11 year solar activity period. In empirical models of upper atmospheric parameters, such as the International Reference Ionosphere model and the Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter thermospheric model, the 10.7 cm solar radio flux (F10.7) or the sunspot number (R) is used as a proxy for determining the solar activity. In the present study, ANN training for predicting TEC as a target parameter was done by including new solar proxies/indices in the input space that were based on direct measurements of solar EUV/UV flux, SOHO_SEM26–34 (the integrated 26–34 nm EUV emission), and Mg II cwr (the core-to-wing ratio of Mg II 280 nm line), as well as the traditional indices F10.7 and R. Root mean square errors (RMSEs) of TEC were compared after the training was completed using a variety of combinations of solar proxies. When a single proxy was used, SOHO_SEM26–34 yielded the smallest RMSE, or it was the best proxy for modeling ionospheric TEC. Further, general improvements were obtained by combining different types of proxies and short- and long-term means of them. The best combination was the 3 day smoothed daily, 7 day and 27 day backward mean values of Mg II cwr, SOHO_SEM26–34, and the 10.7 cm radio flux.