Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Forest fire history in the Northern Rockies.

Recent fire-scar studies in the northern Rocl, y Mountains have documented forest fire histor3' over the past few centuries. They reveal that in some forest types fire maintained many-aged open stands of seral trees. bt other types, major fires caused replacement of the stands. Often. however, fires burned at variable intensities, creating a mosaic of stands differing in composition and structure. Recently adopted fire management policies for most federal forestlands (Kilgore 1976) require that protection be continued, but also that fire from either planned or unplanned ignitions---be used to maintain and enhance resources (see USDA Forest Service Manual 5100, 1978). Consequently, fire managers are being asked to develop prescriptions geared to land management objectives. When a prescription is approved for an area, managers are given the flexibility to use fire in accordance with specific guidelines. Fire history is important for management planning because it provides detailed information on how the vegetative complex of the area has been shaped. Relevance of fire history is particularly strong in the northern Rocky Mountains, where biologists have long recognized that composition and structure of forests have been strongly influenced by fire for at least several hundred years (Leiberg 1899, Whitford 1905, Habeck and Mutch 1973). While investigating and classifying forest habitat types in muc•h of the northern Rockies (Pfister et al. 1977), it became apparent to me
Steroid‐free living donor liver transplantation in adults: impact on hepatitis C recurrence

Abstract: Introduction: Although steroid‐free immunosuppression has been proven to be safe and feasible for liver transplantation, its impact on hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence remains unknown. We aimed to clarify the impact of steroid‐free immunosuppression on post‐operative HCV recurrence after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).
Effects of pH Early Postmortem on Meat Quality in Beef Longissimus

The effects of type (high and low voltages) and time (3, 40 and 60 min postmortem) of stimulation on drip loss and meat color at 24 h post-mortem were determined on M. longissimus dorsi of 38 crossbred steers and heifers. In addition, the effect of pH early postmortem (70 min postmortem) on the rate and extend of meat tenderization was examined. Either high or low voltage stimulation at 3 min showed a tendency for faster pH decline (p=0.052) and higher drip loss (p=0.08), and improved the color dimensions of L*, a* and b* (p 0.05). The results suggested that early application of stimulation, regardless of type of stimulation, improved overall meat color at 24 h postmortem through its effect on faster glycolysing rate. However, if the pH decline was moderate, the benefit of electrical stimulation on meat color was not apparent. An intermediate pH decline resulted in the lowest shear force. Due to differential ageing rates the optimum pH at 70 min postmortem increased with ageing time from 5.96, 6.07, 6.12 and 6.14 for 1, 3, 7 and 14 days postmortem, respectively. This implied that a small difference in the rate of pH decline was important, especially carcasses stimulated for very early postmortem, and the optimum rate of pH decline varied with intended ageing period. The study suggests that the beneficial or adverse effects of electrical stimulation on drip loss, meat color and tenderness is determined by the rate of pH decline, rather than by stimulation treatment and time of application per se. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2003. Vol 16, No. 8 : 1218-1223)
Fingerprint Orientation Field Estimation Algorithm Based on Optimized Neighborhood Averaging

Fingerprint orientation estimation is an important step in fingerprint pre-processing. Here we propose a new algorithm for fingerprint orientation estimation, which is based on gradient direction calculation and determining the orientation by considering the orientation of neighboring regions. This algorithm is mathematically simple and fast for real-time application. This algorithm shows performance improvement by giving better estimation of orientation field.
Anti-interleukin-1 effects of diacerein and rhein in human osteoarthritic synovial tissue and cartilage cultures.

OBJECTIVE The etiology of osteoarthritis (OA) is still a matter of debate. Several factors are known to be involved in the destruction of the articular cartilage. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) either directly or through the stimulation of catabolic factors, such as nitric oxide (NO). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of diacerein, a new anti-OA agent and its active metabolite, rhein, on the production and function of IL-1beta, nitric oxide (NO) and receptor agonist (IL-1ra) in human OA cartilage and synovial tissue cultures. DESIGN Synovial tissue and cartilage derived from OA patients were kept in culture for 48-72 hours in the presence of 1 microg/ml of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with or without diacerein (10(-7)-10(-5) M), rhein (10(-7)-10(-5) M) and hydrocortisone (5 microg/ml). IL-1beta, IL-1ra, NO productions and 35S uptake were measured in culture media. In some experiments the resulting supernatants from synovial tissue cultures were added to cartilage. RESULTS Diacerein and rhein, as well as hydrocortisone, significantly inhibited LPS-induced IL-1beta production by synovial tissue and cartilage. They also significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of LPS on cartilage 35S uptake. Culture media from synovial tissue containing LPS+diacerein (10(-6) M) or +rhein (10(-6) M) had a significantly less inhibitory effect on cartilage synthesis than culture media containing LPS only. Diacerein and rhein decreased NO release in synovial tissue and cartilage media and increased IL-1ra levels in cartilage culture media. CONCLUSION An inhibitory effect of diacerein and rhein at therapeutic concentrations on both IL-1beta secretion and function in human synovial tissue and cartilage is suggested. Diacerein and rhein effects on NO production by LPS-stimulated OA synovial tissue and cartilage may both contribute and elucidate their anti-OA properties.
The Value of School Facility Investments: Evidence from a Dynamic Regression Discontinuity Design

Despite extensive public infrastructure spending, surprisingly little is known about its economic return. In this paper, we estimate the value of school facility investments using housing markets: standard models of local public goods imply that school districts should spend up to the point where marginal increases would have zero effect on local housing prices. Our research design isolates exogenous variation in investments by comparing school districts where referenda on bond issues targeted to fund capital expenditures passed and failed by narrow margins. We extend this traditional regression discontinuity approach to identify the dynamic treatment effects of bond authorization on local housing prices, student achievement, and district composition. Our results indicate that California school districts underinvest in school facilities: passing a referendum causes immediate, sizable increases in home prices, implying a willingness to pay on the part of marginal homebuyers of $1.50 or more for each $1 of capital spending. These effects do not appear to be driven by changes in the income or racial composition of homeowners, and the impact on test scores appears to explain only a small portion of the total housing price effect.
The C-protein tetramer binds 230 to 240 nucleotides of pre-mRNA and nucleates the assembly of 40S heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles

A series of in vitro protein-RNA binding studies using purified native (C1)3C2 and (A2)3B1 tetramers, total soluble heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP), and pre-mRNA molecules differing in length and sequence have revealed that a single C-protein tetramer has an RNA site size of 230 to 240 nucleotides (nt). Two tetramers bind twice this RNA length, and three tetramers fold monoparticle lengths of RNA (700 nt) into a unique 19S triangular complex. In the absence of this unique structure, the basic A- and B-group proteins bind RNA to form several different artifactual structures which are not present in preparations of native hnRNP and which do not function in hnRNP assembly. Three (A2)3B1 tetramers bind the 19S complex to form a 35S assembly intermediate. Following UV irradiation to immobilize the C proteins on the packaged RNA, the 19S triangular complex is recovered as a remnant structure from both native and reconstituted hnRNP particles. C protein-RNA complexes composed of three, six, or nine tetramers (one, two, or three triangular complexes) nucleate the stoichiometric assembly of monomer, dimer, and trimer hnRNP particles. The binding of C-protein tetramers to RNAs longer than 230 nt is through a self-cooperative combinatorial mode. RNA packaged in the 19S complex and in 40S hnRNP particles is efficiently spliced in vitro. These findings demonstrate that formation of the triangular C protein-RNA complex is an obligate first event in the in vitro and probably the in vivo assembly the 40S hnRNP core particle, and they provide insight into the mechanism through which the core proteins package 700-nt increments of RNA. These findings also demonstrate that unless excluded by other factors, the C proteins are likely to be located along the length of nascent transcripts.
Chemical Composition and Bioactivity of Essential Oil from Blepharocalyx salicifolius

Natural products represent a source of biologically active molecules that have an important role in drug discovery. The aromatic plant Blepharocalyx salicifolius has a diverse chemical constitution but the biological activities of its essential oils have not been thoroughly investigated. The aims of this paper were to evaluate in vitro cytotoxic, antifungal and antibacterial activities of an essential oil from leaves of B. salicifolius and to identify its main chemical constituents. The essential oil was extracted by steam distillation, chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and biological activities were performed by a microdilution broth method. The yield of essential oil was 0.86% (w/w), and the main constituents identified were bicyclogermacrene (17.50%), globulol (14.13%), viridiflorol (8.83%), γ-eudesmol (7.89%) and α-eudesmol (6.88%). The essential oil was cytotoxic against the MDA-MB-231 (46.60 μg·mL−1) breast cancer cell line, being more selective for this cell type compared to the normal breast cell line MCF-10A (314.44 μg·mL−1). Flow cytometry and cytotoxicity results showed that this oil does not act by inducing cell death, but rather by impairment of cellular metabolism specifically of the cancer cells. Furthermore, it presented antifungal activity against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (156.25 μg·mL−1) but was inactive against other fungi and bacteria. Essential oil from B. salicifolius showed promising biological activities and is therefore a source of molecules to be exploited in medicine or by the pharmaceutical industry.
Network capacity analysis of mobile multi-hop packet radio networks under virtual circuit and TDMA policies

The capacity of a distributed, self-organizing, mobile, multihop broadcast packet-radio network using virtual circuit switching and time division multiple access policies is studied. The study develops a tool which provides for the optimization of network capacity by trading off among the network area, the transmission range, and the number of packet-radio units. Since these results are not in closed form, numerical results provide further insight into these parameters. <<ETX>>
Genu Varum in Achondroplasia

Abstract: The etiology of genu varum in achondroplasia is the subject of much speculation. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between fibular overgrowth and genu varum in achondroplasia. A retrospective analysis was performed on the long-leg radiographs of 48 pediatric patients with achondroplasia. All patients were skeletally immature, and the average age was 7.7 years (range, 3-16 years). Boys were significantly more likely to have varus mechanical tibiofemoral angles than girls (Fisher exact test, P = 0.038 for the right leg and P = 0.008 for the left leg). The distance from the proximal and distal fibula to the proximal tibia knee and ankle joint orientation lines, respectively, was not associated with the alignment of the lower extremity. We conclude that fibular overgrowth does not correlate with the severity of genu varum.
Risk factors for ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter infection in Wales.

OBJECTIVES To identify risk factors for ciprofloxacin resistance in both travel-related and domestically acquired Campylobacter infection. METHODS Case-comparison study of patients with ciprofloxacin-resistant and ciprofloxacin-susceptible Campylobacter infection conducted in Wales during 2003 and 2004. RESULTS Foreign travel was the major risk factor for ciprofloxacin-resistant infection [adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 24.0, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 12.6-45.9]. Among travellers, case patients were five times more likely to drink still bottled water (adjOR 4.7, 95% CI 1.0-21.7), whilst among non-travellers, case patients were three times more likely to drink sparkling bottled water (adjOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.5-7.4). There was no increased risk associated with eating poultry or prior quinolone use. CONCLUSIONS Foreign travel remains the most important risk factor for ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter infection. The possible association of both domestic- and travel-related ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter infection with bottled water needs to be further explored.
Improving battery life and performance of mobile devices with cyber foraging

The number of mobile phones has grown greatly during the last few decades. Among this trend, also the expectations and requirements we pose on the mobile devices is growing. As the hardware restrictions for efficient computing are slowly removed, the problem of battery life still exists. Current solutions for extending battery life take into consideration very strict energy saving methods as well as building larger batteries. This paper takes a look into saving battery life via remote execution method known as cyber foraging. In cyber foraging the mobile device can use nearby free computing resources to perform more complex tasks instead of executing them locally. A series of tests were carried out in order to evaluate the possibility of saving energy via remote execution. Not only this seems efficient for saving battery life, but also reducing computation times and improving the user experience.
Voluntary Blood Donation among Students - A Cross-Sectional Study on Knowledge and Practice vs. Attitude.

INTRODUCTION The factors influencing blood donation decisions are varied and complex and one's attitude can influence this decision. AIM To find the factors affecting the knowledge and practice of blood donation among college students and their attitude towards the same. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted among 399 college going students using convenience sampling from medical, nursing and engineering colleges in Bhubaneswar city, where blood donation camps were to be held. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires and, analysed in SPSS Version 20.0. RESULTS Knowledge regarding blood donation was adequate among 228 (57.1%) of the students and, 221 (55.4%) students had donated blood. Knowledge was significantly better among female students, medical stream and in those whose parents were in non-medical jobs; whereas blood donation had been done significantly more by male, non-medical stream students and by those whose parents were in medical field. Most common reason for donating blood was a sense of social responsibility and most common reason of non-donation was fear of the procedure. An 85% of the students were of the view that they would donate blood if asked. Students suggested that small incentives like certificates and arranging transport for blood donation would make it easier to donate. CONCLUSION Just over half of the students had adequate knowledge about blood donation and similar percentage had donated blood. There is this large pool of safe blood in college going students who are willing, but not tapped as source of blood donation.
Modes of spindle pole body inheritance and segregation of the Bfa1p–Bub2p checkpoint protein complex

Yeast spindle pole bodies (SPBs) duplicate once per cell cycle by a conservative mechanism resulting in a pre‐existing ‘old’ and a newly formed SPB. The two SPBs of yeast cells are functionally distinct. It is only the SPB that migrates into the daughter cell, the bud, which carries the Bfa1p–Bub2p GTPase‐activating protein (GAP) complex, a component of the spindle positioning checkpoint. We investigated whether the functional difference of the two SPBs correlates with the time of their assembly. We describe that in unperturbed cells the ‘old’ SPB always migrates into the bud. However, Bfa1p localization is not determined by SPB inheritance. It is the differential interaction of cytoplasmic microtubules with the mother and bud cortex that directs the Bfa1p–Bub2p GAP to the bud‐ward‐localized SPB. In response to defects of cytoplasmic microtubules to interact with the cell cortex, the Bfa1p–Bub2p complex binds to both SPBs. This may provide a mechanism to delay cell cycle progression when cytoplasmic microtubules fail to orient the spindle. Thus, SPBs are able to sense cytoplasmic microtubule properties and regulate the Bfa1p–Bub2p GAP accordingly.
The Effects of an Exercise Program on Anthropometric, Metabolic, and Cardiovascular Parameters in Obese Children

Background and Objectives Obesity is a chronic disease that requires good eating habits and an active life style. Obesity may start in childhood and continue until adulthood. Severely obese children have complications such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and atherosclerosis. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of exercise programs on anthropometric, metabolic, and cardiovascular parameters in obese children. Subjects and Methods Fifty four obese children were included. Anthropometric data such as blood pressures, body mass index (BMI) and obesity index (OI) were measured. Blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high sensitive-CRP (hs-CRP), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV) and ankle brachial index (ABI) were measured. Physical fitness measurements were done. Obese children were divided into three groups: an aerobic exercise group (n=16), a combined exercise group (n=20), and a control group (n=18). Obese children exercised in each program for 10 weeks while those in the control group maintained their former lifestyle. After 10 weeks, anthropometric data and cardiovascular parameters were compared with the data obtained before the exercise program. Results LDL-C, waist circumference, and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the aerobic exercise group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Waist circumference and systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the combined exercise group compared to controls (p<0.05). Physical fitness level increased significantly after the exercise programs (p<0.05 vs. control). PWV did not show a significant change after exercise. Conclusion A short-term exercise program can play an important role in decreasing BMI, blood pressure, waist circumference, LDL-C and in improving physical fitness. Future investigations are now necessary to clarify the effectiveness of exercise on various parameters.
Reference Points in Commuter Departure Time Choice: A Prospect Theoretic Test of Alternative Decision Frames

Prospect theoretic hypotheses about the value function are considered in the context of morning commutes. After a review of the formulations of utility functions in the past analyses of commuter departure time choice, this study adopts a formulation where the desirability of an arrival time at work is determined based on decision frames defined in terms of reference points. Probit models are applied to the data collected from randomly selected commuters of a bedroom community in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area of Japan, in order to estimate value functions empirically. Two alternative decision frames are compared based on the results of estimation and the empirical validity of the basic properties of the value function is examined.
Human antiretinal antibodies in toxoplasma retinochoroiditis

BACKGROUND/AIMS Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis (TR) is an important cause of blindness and visual morbidity, affecting young adults. It has been postulated that some of the retinal damage observed in TR is due to antiretinal autoimmune mechanisms. METHODS Humoral antiretinal autoimmunity in TR was investigated by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on normal human cadaveric retina and by a human retinal S-antigen ELISA. 36 patients with TR were separated on clinical grounds into those with first recurrence of disease (n=18) or those with multiple recurrences (n=18). Patients were also segregated into those with active (n=28) or quiescent disease (n=8). Serum from 16 normal controls (six with positive toxoplasma serology and 10 without) with no evidence of eye disease and 12 patients with idiopathic retinal vasculitis (IRV) were also tested. RESULTS Sera from 34 of the 36 patients (94%) with TR demonstrated photoreceptor layer reactivity by IIF contrasting with six of 16 normal controls (p= <0.001) and three of 12 IRV patients (p= <0.001). Titres of antiphotoreceptor antibody were also higher among TR patients than controls. Sera from 27 of the 36 TR patients, 10 of 16 normals, and nine of 12 retinal vasculitis patients possessed anti-human retinal S-antigen antibodies at a titre of 1:400 or more as assessed by ELISA (p= >0.05). Antiretinal autoantibody as detected by IIF did not run in parallel with S-antigen reactivity. CONCLUSIONS The data indicate that the extent of antiretinal reactivity within TR is not accounted for by anti-S-antigen antibodies alone. This remarkably high prevalence of antiphotoreceptor antibody in TR as opposed to that found in either healthy or disease controls suggest that these antibodies may be co-pathogenic in toxoplasma retinochoroiditis.
Letter regarding the article, "a detailed analysis of bone marrow from patients with ischemic heart disease and left ventricular dysfunction: BM CD34, CD11b, and clonogenic capacity as biomarkers for clinical outcomes".

With great interest we have read the article by Cogle et al1 recently published in this journal. The article describes a detailed analysis of bone marrow cells obtained from close to 300 patients enrolled in a triplet of clinical trials investigating bone marrow cells as potential therapy for ischemic heart disease. One of the analyses performed in the study is a colony forming assay for endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), a type of endothelial progenitor cells usually obtained from blood and thought to be of importance for vascular homeostasis and repair.2 The …