Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic threat object classification based on extracted features from electromagnetic imaging system

The detection of concealed weapons is one of the biggest challenges facing homeland security. It has been shown that each weapon can have a unique fingerprint, which is an electromagnetic signal determined by its size, shape, and physical composition. Extracting the signature of each weapon is one of the major tasks of any detection system. In this paper, feature extraction of a new metal detector signal is conducted using a Wavelet and Fourier Transform. These features are used to classify two different groups of threat objects. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) classification techniques are used to classify the metal objects towards automatic threat object detection and classification. Promising classification accuracy rates are obtained from using individual and combined features.
Sulfonamides and Penicillin Residue in Market Milk

The present study was conducted at laboratory of Veterinary Standards and Drug Administration Office, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu in the month of October to December 2007 with aim of determining the prevalence and level of sulfonamide and penicillin residue semi-quantitatively in market milk samples from Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Kavrepalanchowk districts. All the samples were processed using standard procedure given in the protocol of the rapid residue test kit provided by the Division of Food, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. The prevalence of antibiotic residue was found to be 17.3% (n=26) of the total of 150 samples collected. Out of the total samples 12% (n=18) were found to contain penicillin residue and 5.3% (n=8) were found to contain sulfonamide residue. Sulfonamide residue was detected in the range of 0-1 ppb in 6 samples and 2-4 ppb in 2 samples. Similarly, penicillin residue was found in the range of 0-1 ppb in 14 of the samples and 2-4 pbb in 4 samples. The residues level detected were below their MRLs as set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The occurrence of the antibiotic residue in the tested milk samples was compared whether it differs from district to district. Statistically, there was no significant difference on the occurrence of the antibiotic residue in the tested milk from district to district. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/jfstn.v8i0. 11751 J. Food Sci. Technol. Nepal, Vol. 8 (60-64), 2013
Release of heat-shock protein Hsp72 after exercise and supplementation with an Opuntia ficus indica extract TEX-OE.

During exercise, a number of physiological and metabolic events occur. These include a rise in core and muscle temperature, oxidative stress, altered pH, and structural damage to muscle proteins. Heat-shock proteins (Hsp) are produced in response to different stress involving exercise and heat. Four polo ponies participated in the study. Blood samples were withdrawn 30 and 120 min after the beginning of a chukka. The same group of horses repeated the same test several weeks later; for that test, the ponies ingested 10 g of a powdered cactus-pear extract 6 h before the game. The blood concentration of Hsp72 was determined using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood Hsp72 significantly increased 120 min after the beginning of the exercise when the animals did not receive the supplement. Administration of the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) patented natural extract TEX-OE resulted in a significant increase of Hsp72 only 30 min after the beginning of the exercise. The extract had no effect on the level of Hsp72 before the beginning of the exercise. This study is the first to show that exercise can increase Hsp72 in the peripheral circulation of horses. Accelerating Hsp response time with prickly pear cactus extract will protect proteins in muscles and other tissues as well as foster repair and recovery of stressed cells. The use of the supplement will improve resistance to physical stress and should be included in optimal training regimens for competing horses. Authors’ addresses: Recovery Science Company, 37 Skyline Drive, Groton, CT 06340 (Martinod); Equine Internal Medicine, 4901 Mount Horeb Pike, Lexington, KY 40511 (Bernard); and Texinfine, 60 Rue Duquesclin, 69006 Lyon, France (Serrar, Gutierrez); e-mail: SMartinod@aol.com. © 2007 AAEP.
Elephant random walks and their connection to Pólya-type urns.

In this paper, we explain the connection between the elephant random walk (ERW) and an urn model à la Pólya and derive functional limit theorems for the former. The ERW model was introduced in [Phys. Rev. E 70, 045101 (2004)10.1103/PhysRevE.70. 045101] to study memory effects in a highly non-Markovian setting. More specifically, the ERW is a one-dimensional discrete-time random walk with a complete memory of its past. The influence of the memory is measured in terms of a memory parameter p between zero and one. In the past years, a considerable effort has been undertaken to understand the large-scale behavior of the ERW, depending on the choice of p. Here, we use known results on urns to explicitly solve the ERW in all memory regimes. The method works as well for ERWs in higher dimensions and is widely applicable to related models.
Coronary revascularization in heart failure-old lessons relearnt: patient outcomes are paramount in the stenting era.

Almost 50 years since its inception, coronary surgery (CABG) is still challenged in its quest to validate its appropriate place in the treatment of advanced coronary artery disease (CAD). Three excellent randomized controlled studies (RCTs) in the late 1970s and early 1980s—The Veteran’s Administration Co-operative Study (VA co-op S), the Coronary Artery Surgery Study (CASS) and the European Coronary Surgery Study (ECSS)—emphatically demonstrated superiority of CABG over medical management, in patients with multivessel disease. The prognostic benefits were even more dramatic when there was additional left ventricular dysfunction and were achieved even when perioperative mortality was 3.5–6%, and myocardial preservation techniques were unsophisticated [1–3]. The notion of patients with left ventricular dysfunction having an enhanced long-term prognosis initially seemed counter
Pyrolysis of tyre powder using microwave thermogravimetric analysis: Effect of microwave power

The pyrolytic characteristics of tyre powder treated under different microwave powers (300, 500, and 700 W) were studied via microwave thermogravimetric analysis. The product yields at different power levels were studied, along with comparative analysis of microwave pyrolysis and conventional pyrolysis. The feedstock underwent preheating, intense pyrolysis, and final pyrolysis in sequence. The main and secondary weight loss peaks observed during the intense pyrolysis stage were attributed to the decomposition of natural rubbers and synthetic rubbers, respectively. The total mass loss rates, bulk temperatures, and maximum temperatures were distinctively higher at higher powers. However, the maximum mass loss rate (0.005 s-1), the highest yields of liquid product (53%), and the minimum yields of residual solid samples (43.83%) were obtained at 500 W. Compared with conventional pyrolysis, microwave pyrolysis exhibited significantly different behaviour with faster reaction rates, which can decrease the decomposition temperatures of both natural and synthetic rubber by approximately 110 °C–140 °C.
Estimating Spider Species Richness in a Southern Appalachian Cove Hardwood Forest

Variation in species richness at the landscape scale is an important consideration in con - servation planning and natural resource management . To assess the ability of rapid inventory technique s to estimate local species richness, three collectors sampled the spider fauna of a "wilderness" cove fores t in the southern Appalachians for 133 person-hours during September and early October 1991 using four methods: aerial hand collecting, ground hand collecting, beating, and leaf litter extraction . Eighty-nine species in64 genera and19 families were found. To these data we applied various statistical technique s (lognormal, Poisson lognormal, Chao 1, Chao2, jackknife, and species accumulation curve) to estimat e the number of species present as adults at this site . Estimates clustered between roughly 100-130 specie s with an outlier (Poisson lognormal) at 182 species. We compare these estimates to those from Bolivia n tropical forest sites sampled in much the same way but less intensively . We discuss the biases and error s such estimates may entail and their utility for inventory design . We also assess the effects of method, time of day and collector on the number of adults, number of species and taxonomic composition of th e samples and discuss the nature and importance of such effects . Method, collector and method-time of da y interaction significantly affected the numbers of adults and species per sample ; and each of the fou r methods collected clearly different sets of species . Finally, we present recommendations to guide futur e research on the estimation of spider species richness .
High Touch Through High Tech: The Impact of Salesperson Technology Usage on Sales Performance via Mediating Mechanisms

Sales technology has been touted as a primary tool for enhancing customer relationship management. However, empirical research is sparse concerning the use of information technology (IT) and its effects on the relationship between salespersons and customers. Using an interdisciplinary research approach, we extend task-technology-fit (TTF) theory by examining the mechanisms through which use of IT by the sales force influences salesperson performance. We test a model that incorporates salespersons' customer service, attention to personal details, adaptability, and knowledge---key marketing constructs that could mediate IT's impact on salesperson performance. Results in a pharmaceutical sales setting indicate that IT use can improve customer service and salespersons' adaptability, leading to improved sales performance.
Expression of a membrane‐bound form of the ferroxidase ceruloplasmin by leptomeningeal cells

Ceruloplasmin is a key enzyme involved in detoxifying ferrous iron, which can generate free radicals. The secreted form of ceruloplasmin is produced by the liver and is abundant in serum. We have previously identified a membrane‐bound glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored form of ceruloplasmin (GPI‐Cp) that is expressed by astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) (Patel and David. 1997. J Biol Chem 272:20185–20190). We now provide direct evidence that rat leptomeningeal cells, which cover the surface of the brain, also express GPI‐Cp. The expression of GPI‐Cp on the surface of these cells increases with postnatal development and is regulated in vitro by cell density, time in culture, and various extracellular matrix molecules. The expression of GPI‐Cp also appears to be regulated differently in astrocytes and leptomeningeal cells in vitro. The abundant expression of GPI‐Cp on the surface of leptomeningeal cells suggests that these cells play a role in antioxidant defense along the surface of the postnatal CNS possibly by detoxifying the cerebrospinal fluid. GLIA 41:337–346, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study of Alice: a visual environment for teaching object-oriented programming

University students learning object-oriented programming (OOP) encounter many complexities. This paper describes a study in which the primary researcher undertook empirical research aimed at analysing learners’ interactions with the visual environment, Alice with rapid prototyping functionality. A questionnaire survey investigated the learners’ experience with the Alice environment and their understanding of OOP. Findings indicate that learners lack problemsolving abilities; are unable to grasp programming concepts on an abstract level; and spend insufficient time practicing programming exercises. Alice has proven to be an effective tool in helping to address some of these challenges and in improving learners’ grasp of OOP. Furthermore, the learners’ subsequent programming processes and performance were investigated. Results revealed that there was no statistically significant improvement in the performance of the learners who had been taught Alice in comparison to similar learners who were not exposed to the Alice intervention.
Spatial insulin signalling in isolated skeletal muscle preparations

During in vitro incubation in the absence or presence of insulin, glycogen depletion occurs in the inner core of the muscle specimen, concomitant with increased staining of hypoxia‐induced‐factor‐1‐alpha and caspase‐3, markers of hypoxia and apoptosis, respectively. The aim of this study was to determine whether insulin is able to diffuse across the entire muscle specimen in sufficient amounts to activate signalling cascades to promote glucose uptake and glycogenesis within isolated mouse skeletal muscle. Phosphoprotein multiplex assay on lysates from muscle preparation was performed to detect phosphorylation of insulin‐receptor on Tyr1146, Akt on Ser473 and glycogen‐synthases‐kinase‐3 on Ser21/Ser9. To address the spatial resolution of insulin signalling, immunohistochemistry studies on cryosections were performed. Our results provide evidence to suggest that during the in vitro incubation, insulin sufficiently diffuses into the centre of tubular mouse muscles to promote phosphorylation of these signalling events. Interestingly, increased insulin signalling was observed in the core of the incubated muscle specimens, correlating with the location of oxidative fibres. In conclusion, insulin action was not restricted due to insufficient diffusion of the hormone during in vitro incubation in either extensor digitorum longus or soleus muscles from mouse under the specific experimental settings employed in this study. Hence, we suggest that the glycogen depleted core as earlier observed is not due to insufficient insulin action. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 943–949, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Somatically Diversified and Proliferating Transitional B Cells: Implications for Peripheral B Cell Homeostasis

The peripheral B cell compartment in mice and humans is maintained by continuous production of transitional B cells in the bone marrow. In other species, however, including rabbits, B lymphopoiesis in the bone marrow abates early in life, and it is unclear how the peripheral B cell compartment is maintained. We identified transitional B cells in rabbits and classified them into T1 (CD24highCD21low) and T2 (CD24highCD21+) B cell subsets. By neutralizing B cell-activating factor in vivo, we found an arrest in peripheral B cell development at the T1 B cell stage. Surprisingly, T1 B cells were present in GALT, blood, and spleen of adult rabbits, long after B lymphopoiesis was arrested. T1 B cells were distinct from their counterparts in other species because they are proliferating and the Ig genes are somatically diversified. We designate these newly described cells as T1d B cells and propose a model in which they develop in GALT, self renew, continuously differentiate into mature B cells, and thereby maintain peripheral B cell homeostasis in adults in the absence of B lymphopoiesis.
A Critical Review of Mental Imagery Defects

A critical, clinical review of single-case reports and group studies on visual mental imagery deficits is offered. Neuropsychological findings demonstrate that mental imagery relies upon dissociable processes which are localized in left-hemisphere posterior areas. Imagery defects thus may often be associated with visual recognition and naming impairments. On the other hand, the right hemisphere seems to play an analogous role in imagery and perception. Current theoretical models of imagery do not appear fully capable of accounting for available clinical data.
The most reliable series-parallel networks

The design of reliable communications networks is an interesting and important topic. Perhaps the most common measure of reliability is a probabilistic one: the probability that a network is connected given the possibility of statistically independent line failures. In general, this is not efficiently computable. In this article, we develop a formula for the reliability of the most reliable maximal series-parallel networks. The most reliable maximal series-parallel networks are those maximal series-parallel networks with the minimum number of vertices of degree 2, independent of many of the simpler reliability estimates. A two-dimensional recurrence relating networks of varying sizes and edge deficiencies provides a generating function which in turn is exploited to give a simple closed expression for reliability.
A Study of Various Etiological Factors in the Causation of Melasma

Background: Melasma is an acquired pigmentary disorder characterized by symmetrical hyper pigmented macules on the face. Aim: To study the role of various etiological factors in the causation of melasma in female patients. Objectives: To find out the etiological factors of melasma in female patients attending Dermatology OPD of C.R. G.H. within 1 year by interviewing them. Patients & Methods: Sixty -six female patients suffering from melasma, between the ages of 15-45 years, were enrolled in the study and detailed history of each patient was taken. Results: Etiological factors like sun exposure, pregnancy, contraceptive use, familial tendency, cosmetic use, stress and emotional factors play an important role in the development of melasma.
Transnational learning processes: European and Nordic experiences in the employment field

This paper analyses and compares the transnational learning processes in the employment field in the European Union and among the Nordic countries. Based theoretically on a social constructivist model of learning and methodologically on a questionnaire distributed to the relevant participants, a number of hypotheses concerning transnational learning processes are tested. The paper closes with a number of suggestions regarding an optimal institutional setting for facilitating transnational learning processes.
Climate Change and Tourism Adaptation: Literature Review

Purpose – This paper reviews published English literature on tourism adaptation to climate change. Climate change remains a challenge in the 21st centaury and beyond. Climate sensitive industries like tourism are vulnerable to climate change. It is for this reason that tourism researchers have continued to explore the relationship between tourism and climate change and further explored response strategies among tourism stakeholders. Tourism research on climate change adaptation may be traces way back in the 1960s. However, focused research on climate change and tourism has emerged in the last 15 years. Design – This review maps tourism adaptation knowledge domains between early 1960s and 2014. Methodology – This paper rely on secondary English published tourism literature to aid the review Findings – Findings indicate that tourism adaptation literature have advanced under five thematic areas prior 2010 to include: Business adaptation; Consumer adaptation, Destination Adaptation; adaptation Policy and; Frameworks for adaptation. However, after 2010 a new theme on ‘sustainable adaptation’ is tourism has emerged and it is gaining attention among tourism researchers Originality – The originality of this paper is that the paper is the first paper in tourism that has identified sustainable adaptation as a new emerging thematic area in tourism and climate change adaptation research. The paper notes an emergence of interest on sustainable adaptation knowledge domain despite lack of clarity on what is sustainable adaptation within tourism research. It is therefore important for researchers to amicably define the term sustainable adaptation to enable comparative studies and discourse in the area.
The influence of teachers’ conceptions of teaching and learning on their technology acceptance

ABSTRACT Prior research has attempted to incorporate different personal variables within extant theories of technology acceptance models (TAMs). This study further extends TAM by incorporating teachers’ conceptions of teaching and learning (CoTL) in two forms: constructivist and traditional conceptions. The moderating effects of teachers’ demographic variables including age, gender, teaching experience, teaching level, and technology experience were tested. Our findings demonstrated that incorporating CoTL could provide a richer and more nuanced understanding of technology acceptance, although no moderating effects on any demographic variables were found.
Systemic mastocytosis associated with acute myeloid leukaemia: report of two cases and detection of the c‐kit mutation Asp‐816 to Val

A subset of patients with systemic mastocytosis (SM) develop acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). However, little is known about the biology of such leukaemias and their relationship to the mast cell (MC) lineage. We report on two female patients who suffered from SM and AML. According to FAB criteria, the leukaemias were classified as AML‐M4 (patient 1) and AML‐M0 (patient 2). The coexistence of the two distinct neoplasms (AML and SM) was demonstrable by immunostaining of serial bone marrow (BM) sections with monoclonal antibodies (mAb). In particular, the MC infiltrates were found to react with mAb against MC‐tryptase and MC growth factor receptor c‐kit (CD117), but not with mAb to CD15 or CD34. In contrast, the AML blasts were immunoreactive for CD15 (patient 1) or CD34 (patient 2), but did not express tryptase. The c‐kit point mutation Asp → Val at codon 816, considered to play a role in the transformation of MC progenitors, was detected in patient 1 in a BM cell fraction containing 4% MC. However, no c‐kit mutation was found in pure AML blasts (<1% MC). These findings argue against an evolution of the AML clone from neoplastic MC or MC‐committed progenitors.
Low molecular weight polyethylenimines linked by β‐cyclodextrin for gene transfer into the nervous system

Polyethylenimines (PEIs) with high molecular weights are effective nonviral gene delivery vectors. However, the in vivo use of these PEIs can be hampered by their cellular toxicity. In the present study we developed and tested a new PEI polymer synthesized by linking less toxic, low molecular weight (MW) PEIs with a commonly used, biocompatible drug carrier, β‐cyclodextrin (CyD).
Biópsias de lesões pulmonares com agulha grossa guiadas por tomografia computadorizada: a experiência de um centro oncológico

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo e apresentar a experiencia de um centro oncologico com o procedimento de biopsia por agulha grossa de lesoes pulmonares guiadas por tomografia computadorizada. MATERIAIS E METODOS: Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo de 97 biopsias por agulha grossa de lesoes pulmonares guiadas por tomografia computadorizada em um centro oncologico, referencia no Brasil (Hospital do Câncer - A.C. Camargo), entre os anos de 1996 e 2004. As informacoes a respeito de material adequado e diagnostico especifico foram coletadas e analisadas. RESULTADOS: Das 97 biopsias pulmonares, 94 (96,9%) forneceram material suficiente para analise histologica, e destas, 71 (73,2%) corresponderam a lesoes malignas e 23 (23,7%) corresponderam a lesoes benignas. Em tres biopsias o material obtido nao foi suficiente para analise. A frequencia de diagnostico especifico foi de 83 (85,6%) casos, demonstrando elevadas taxas, tanto nas lesoes malignas, com 63 (88,7%) casos, como nas lesoes benignas, com 20 (86,7%) casos. Considerando as complicacoes, ocorreram 12 (12,4%) casos no total, divididos em 7 (7,2%) casos de hematoma, 3 (3,1%) casos de pneumotorax e 2 (2,1%) casos de hemoptise. CONCLUSAO: A biopsia percutânea com agulha grossa de lesoes pulmonares guiada por tomografia computadorizada demonstrou elevadas taxas de material adequado e diagnostico especifico e reduzidas taxas de complicacoes no presente estudo.