Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A 3D photon superposition/convolution algorithm and its foundation on results of Monte Carlo calculations

Based on previous publications on a triple Gaussian analytical pencil beam model and on Monte Carlo calculations using Monte Carlo codes GEANT-Fluka, versions 95, 98, 2002, and BEAMnrc/EGSnrc, a three-dimensional (3D) superposition/convolution algorithm for photon beams (6 MV, 18 MV) is presented. Tissue heterogeneity is taken into account by electron density information of CT images. A clinical beam consists of a superposition of divergent pencil beams. A slab-geometry was used as a phantom model to test computed results by measurements. An essential result is the existence of further dose build-up and build-down effects in the domain of density discontinuities. These effects have increasing magnitude for field sizes ⩽5.5 cm2 and densities ⩽0.25 g cm−3, in particular with regard to field sizes considered in stereotaxy. They could be confirmed by measurements (mean standard deviation 2%). A practical impact is the dose distribution at transitions from bone to soft tissue, lung or cavities.
Buried object scanning sonar

A sonar, designed to scan for objects buried in the seafloor, generates images of pipe and cable sections and ordnance buried in sand. The sonar operates by illuminating a broad swath of the seabed using a line array of acoustic projectors while acoustic backscattering from the illuminated sediment volume is measured with a planar hydrophone array. The line transmitter performs along track beamsteering to improve the SNR of buried target images by illuminating major target surfaces at normal incidence and to reduce volume scattering by limiting the volume of sediments illuminated. The output of the planar-hydrophone array undergoes nearfield focusing which allows the sonar to operate near the seabed where target images have the highest SNR and resolution. The nearfield focusing reduces scattering noise by approximately 12 dB, an improvement measured by comparing the SNR of target echoes in single channel data with the SNR of buried targets in the focused imagery. Plan and side views of the seabed generated from a three-dimensional matrix of focused data provide the position and burial depth of targets covered by sand off Hawaii. An energy detector automatically locates targets in the focused image data.
Drought sress and the distribution of vegetative and reproductive traits of a bean cultivar

Soil water deficits may affect the location and pattern of flower and pod production on different stem axes of a bean plant. The objective of this study was to understand the effect of drought stress on the distribution of flowers and pods on the main stem and on branches of bean plants. The experiment was conducted in a shelter field facility. Water stress was imposed from the end of the vegetative stage to physiological maturity and soil water was measured with a neutron probe every two weeks. Formation of flowers at each node of the main stem was monitored at 44 days after planting (DAP) and formation of pods at 55DAP and 65 DAP. Dry weight of stems and leaves as well leaf area were measured during the middle of the pod filling stage (55DAP). The total number of flowers reached maxima of 32 and 44 flowers per plant for the drought and irrigated treatments, respectively. Number of flowers on branches decreased 50% in the stress treatment when compared to the control. Pod setting was also reduced on the branches of the lower nodes of the main stems. Under drought, the leaf area diminished by 60.1% and 10.4% on branches and main stem, respectively. The field drought conditions of this experiment had a greater effect on the vegetative and reproductive growth of branches as compared to the main stem affecting the final yield.
New Evidence for Differential Roles of L10 Ribosomal Proteins from Arabidopsis1[C][W][OPEN]

Arabidopsis RIBOSOMAL PROTEIN L10 family members are nonredundant and contribute differentially to male gametophyte functionality and UV-B stress responses. The RIBOSOMAL PROTEIN L10 (RPL10) is an integral component of the eukaryotic ribosome large subunit. Besides being a constituent of ribosomes and participating in protein translation, additional extraribosomal functions in the nucleus have been described for RPL10 in different organisms. Previously, we demonstrated that Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) RPL10 genes are involved in development and translation under ultraviolet B (UV-B) stress. In this work, transgenic plants expressing ProRPL10:β-glucuronidase fusions show that, while AtRPL10A and AtRPL10B are expressed both in the female and male reproductive organs, AtRPL10C expression is restricted to pollen grains. Moreover, the characterization of double rpl10 mutants indicates that the three AtRPL10s differentially contribute to the total RPL10 activity in the male gametophyte. All three AtRPL10 proteins mainly accumulate in the cytosol but also in the nucleus, suggesting extraribosomal functions. After UV-B treatment, only AtRPL10B localization increases in the nuclei. We also here demonstrate that the three AtRPL10 genes can complement a yeast RPL10 mutant. Finally, the involvement of RPL10B and RPL10C in UV-B responses was analyzed by two-dimensional gels followed by mass spectrometry. Overall, our data provide new evidence about the nonredundant roles of RPL10 proteins in Arabidopsis.
Frequency Sensitivity and Electromechanical Propagation Simulation Study in Large Power Systems

A global view of power system's frequency behavior opens up a new window for analyzing system's dynamics. With the aid of global positioning system, measurements from different locations would have synchronous time; therefore a system-wide observation and analysis would be possible. As part of the US-wide power frequency monitoring network project this paper focus on simulation study results of power frequency dynamics of the Eastern U.S. system. The study assesses the frequency measurement accuracy needed to observe frequency dynamics from events such as remote generation drops. Electromechanical-wave propagation phenomena during system disturbances have been observed. The speeds of electromechanical-wave propagation in different areas of the U.S. systems were estimated and their characteristics were discussed.
Expression and costimulatory effects of the TNF receptor superfamily members CD134 (OX40) and CD137 (4‐1BB), and their role in the generation of anti‐tumor immune responses

This study addresses the relative importance of CD134 (OX40) and CD137 (4‐1BB) in the costimulation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells under comparable conditions of antigenic stimulation. We demonstrate that CD134 is capable of directly costimulating CD8+ T cells. However, costimulation of CD8+ T cells by CD134 is less potent than that triggered by CD137. The higher costimulatory activity of CD137, when compared with CD134, correlates well with its faster expression kinetics and higher levels on CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, induction of CD137 expression on CD8+ T cells is highly sensitive to low levels of TCR stimulation, which is in contrast with CD134. Conversely, CD134 is more effective than CD137 in costimulating CD4+ T cells. This, however, could not be attributed to differential expression. We also demonstrate that the transient nature of CD134 and CD137 expression on activated CD4+ T cells is the resultof proteolytic shedding. Consistent with the greater ability of CD137 to costimulate CD8+ T cells, stimulation of CD137 in vivo is considerably more effective than CD134 in augmenting anti‐tumor immune responses. Therefore, agents that stimulate signaling via CD137 are likely to be more useful in clinical conditions where highly effective CD8+ CTL responses are required.
Transcranial application of near‐infrared low‐level laser can modulate cortical excitability

Near‐infrared low‐level laser (NIR‐LLL) irradiation penetrates scalp and skull and can reach superficial layers of the cerebral cortex. It was shown to improve the outcome of acute stroke in both animal and human studies. In this study we evaluated whether transcranial laser stimulation (TLS) with NIR‐LLL can modulate the excitability of the motor cortex (M1) as measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
Sodium benzoate, a food preservative, induces anxiety and motor impairment in rats.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the behavioral characteristics, including anxiety and motor impairment, in sodium benzoate (NaB) treated rats. METHODS The study was carried out between July and September 2012 in the Laboratory Animal Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. The rats were divided into 2 groups receiving distilled water and NaB (200mg/kg/day). All the animals received daily gavages for 4 weeks. At the end of the fourth week, anxiety, and motor function were assessed in elevated plus maze and rotarod test. RESULTS According to the results, NaB-treated rats spent less time in the open arm and had fewer entrances to the open arms in comparison with the control group (p<0.04). Also, the performance of the NaB-treated rats in fixed and accelerating speed rotarods was impaired, and the riding time (endurance) was lower than the control group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION The performance of the NaB-treated rats was impaired in the elevated plus maze, an indicator of anxiety. Their riding time in fixed and accelerating speed rotarods was decreased, indicating motor impairment.
Microcaractérisation élastique de matériaux poreux par signature acoustique

L'objectif de ce travail a consiste a etudier les proprietes elastiques des materiaux poreux par l'intermediaire de l'echographie a haute frequence et surtout de la microscopie acoustique avec ses deux grandes applications, l'imagerie et la signature acoustique v(z). Afin d'interpreter les resultats experimentaux, nous avons modelise la signature acoustique par deux methodes differentes: (i) le modele de schoch et (ii) la theorie de biot. Nous avons constate que le modele de schoch ne peut etre applique qu'aux materiaux poreux presentant un faible taux de porosite. La deuxieme methode s'est averee plus interessante pour la simulation theorique de la signature acoustique car les phenomenes mis en evidence par la theorie de biot jouent un role essentiel pour les problemes de reflexion aux interfaces, importants en microscopie acoustique. Nous avons aussi vu que l'existence d'une onde longitudinale lente, prevue par la theorie de biot, peut representer une portion non negligeable du coefficient de reflexion. En outre, les resultats des simulations ont montre que, sous certaines conditions, la signature acoustique peut detecter ce mode acoustique. Au niveau experimental, nous avons applique les methodes microacoustiques afin de mesurer, d'une facon non-destructive, les vitesses des ondes acoustiques et les modules elastiques du silicium poreux pour differents taux de porosite. Enfin, nous avons montre que la porosite peut etre determinee indirectement a partir de la modelisation theorique de la signature acoustique du milieu poreux
Lectin binding to the human retina

Formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue sections of the human retina were stained with different fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated lectins. The lectins used were concanavalin A (Con A), Triticum vulgaris (WGA), glycine maximum (SBA), Dolichos biflorus (DBA), Ulex europaeus (UEA I), Arachis hypogaea (PNA), and Ricinus communis (RCA I).
An Evaluation of Socioeconomic Status and Handling Practices Used by Small-Scale Fishermen Along Coastal Areas of Ondo State, Nigeria

The purpose of this paper is to examine the socio-economic status and handling practices used by small-scale fishermen along coastal areas of Ondo State, Nigeria with respect to reduction of post-harvest fish losses. The study was carried out in twenty (20) fishing communities along the coastal areas of Ondo State, Nigeria. Primary data were used through administration of 21 questionnaires to active fishermen from each fishing communities as instrument for data collection. Most (44%) of the fishermen spent 12 hours for their fishing cycle. Result shows that fishermen do not have access to ice for preservation of fish and as a result of this they ensure to come back on time to maintain good quality fish prior to checking. Despite limiting the duration of fishing cycle, losses do occur due to handling practices used. Fish are placed on the floor of the boat after hauling of the nets at the fishing ground and covering materials are not made available for the fishermen. Significant association exist between demographic factors and duration of fishing cycle while there is no significant relationship between demographic factors and where fresh fish are placed. It is suggested that provision of infrastructural facilities such as good road network, storage facilities, covering materials and constant supply of electricity will reduce post-harvest fish losses. This will help fishermen to make more income as a result of good quality fish, improve their livelihood, rural development and ensure food security in the state and country at large. Keywords: Handling practices, small-scale fishermen, rural development, post-harvest losses, food security
Création d'entreprise : contributions épistémologiques et modélisation

L'entrepreneurship et la creation d'entreprise sont des phenomenes faisant l'objet de tres nombreuses recherches depuis la fin des annees 70. La premiere partie de ce travail presente des contributions epistemologiques et methodologiques concernant le domaine de l'entrepreneurship et plus specifiquement de la creation d'entreprise. Une attention particuliere est accordee aux problemes de definition. Dans une perspective d'accompagnement des createurs, la seconde partie propose une modelisation du processus de creation d'entreprise ex nihilo au sein du champ de l'entrepreneurship et dans un paradigme constructiviste.
Usefulness of Magnifying Narrow-Band Imaging Endoscopy in the Helicobacter pylori-Related Chronic Gastritis

Combining the narrow-band imaging (NBI) system and magnifying endoscopy allows simple and clear visualization of microscopic structures of the superficial mucosa and its capillary patterns, which may be useful for precise endoscopic diagnosis in the gastrointestinal tract, being more closely to histopathological diagnosis. In the non-neoplastic gastric mucosa, there have been reports showing a potential usefulness of magnifying NBI for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection, degree of histological gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia. We have shown that magnifying NBI appearances in the non-neoplastic gastric mucosa also predicts pepsinogen levels, which indicates extension of gastric atrophy in the entire stomach, and gastric cancer occurrence. Furthermore, we have shown that magnifying NBI appearances predicts the result of H. pylori treatment. Clear visualization of fine mucosal and capillary patterns, obtained by magnifying NBI, allows prediction of the histological condition, more in detail without biopsy, and it may also be useful for less invasive, and cost-effective endoscopic gastric cancer surveillance, and prediction of H. pylori eradication.
Testing the influence of message framing, donation magnitude, and product category in a cause-related marketing context

ABSTRACT Cause-related marketing (CRM) has developed into a versatile and cost-effective tool to accomplish corporate objectives. Understanding the consumer expectations and preferences while planning and designing effective CRM communication strategies has become necessary for marketers. In order to understand the effect of CRM communication on consumers purchase intention, two separate experiments were conducted to examine the interactive effect of donation message framing, donation magnitude, and product category with a sample of 180 participants for each. This study was drawn from a sample of undergraduate students from a mid-sized university in India. The results of study 1 indicated that exact message framing regardless of the product (i.e., high and low involvement) generated higher purchase intention. Study 2 demonstrated that purchase intention for high CRM donation magnitude was influenced most by product category involvement. Overall, the outcome suggests that design elements of CRM communication does influence consumer response to the campaign.
The Existence of Low-End Firms May Help High-End Firms

Two models of competition between high-end and low-end products benefiting the high-end firms are presented. One is a quantity competition model, and the other is a price competition model with product differentiation. The key factor is the existence of two heterogeneous consumer groups: those who demand only high-end name-brand products and those who care little whether products are high or low end. We show that, under certain conditions, the profits of firms in the high-end market are larger when there are firms producing low-end products than when there are not. The existence of price-sensitive consumers who care little about product quality intensifies competition among the high-end firms. The existence of low-end firms functions as a credible threat, which induces the high-end firms not to overproduce because price-sensitive consumers buy products from the low-end firms. The result provides a new theoretical mechanism concerning the profitability and pricing of national brand firms after the entry of private labels. It has an implication for pricing and marketing strategies: Established firms should not decrease their prices after the entry of nonestablished firms.
The E 4 orf 6 / E 1 B 55 K E 3 Ubiquitin Ligase Complexes of Human Adenoviruses Exhibit Heterogeneity in Composition and Substrate Specificity

The E4orf6/E1B55K E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Complexes of Human Adenoviruses Exhibit Heterogeneity in Composition and Substrate Specificity Chi Ying Cheng, Timra Gilson, Frédéric Dallaire, Gary Ketner, Philip E. Branton, and Paola Blanchette* Departments of Biochemistry and Oncology and the Goodman Cancer Centre, McGill University, McIntyre Medical Building, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1Y6; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, W-8001, Baltimore, Maryland 21205; and Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
The timing of glucocorticoid administration in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that the timing of prednisolone administration might be critical in determining its effect on the diurnal rheumatoid inflammatory process. METHODS 26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly divided into two equal groups and allocated to low doses of prednisolone at either 2.00 am or 7.30 am. Because of the diurnal variation in disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis, assessments of the two study groups were performed at 7.30 am both at the start of the study (day 1) and after four doses of prednisolone (day 5). The study protocol differences in the time period from the last dose of prednisolone to assessment were 5.5 hours in the 2.00 am group and 24 hours in the 7.30 am group. RESULTS Administration of low doses of prednisolone (5 or 7.5 mg daily) at 2.00 am had favourable effects on the duration of morning stiffness (P << 0.001), joint pain (P < 0.001), Lansbury index (P << 0.001), Ritchie index (P << 0.001), and morning serum concentrations of IL-6 (P < 0.01). The other study group showed minor but significant effects on morning stiffness (P < 0.05) and circulating concentrations of IL-6 (P < 0.05). Modest and similar improvements of C reactive protein, serum amyloid protein A, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were seen in both study groups. CONCLUSIONS Administration of low doses of glucocorticoids with a rather short biological half life seems to improve acute rheumatoid arthritis symptoms if it precedes the period of circadian flare in inflammatory activity, as defined by enhanced IL-6 synthesis. Further studies are needed to test the relative merits of different timing protocols of glucocorticoid administration in rheumatoid arthritis.
The role of cerium sites in the scintillation mechanism of LSO

The crystal structure of Lu/sub 2/(SiO/sub 4/)O:Ce ("LSO") has two trivalent cation sites which may be occupied by Ce/sup 3+/ to form luminescence centers. Previous investigations revealed the existence of two distinct sets of Ce/sup 3+/ excitation and emission spectra and suggested that the differences in the spectra are due to differences in the crystal fields at the two lattice sites that shift the 5d levels of Ce/sup 3+/. In the present report, we re examine this issue and present new evidence which suggests a different interpretation. In particular, spectra measured at 13 K suggest that both lattice sites give rise to indistinguishable excitation and emission spectra while the second set of observed spectra arises from Ce/sup 3+/ located in interstitial sites. The evidence for the interstitial sites is a disappearance of the doublet structure in the emission spectra and a large variation in the population of the sites as a function of total cerium concentration. In addition, the results indicate that the scintillation properties of LSO are influenced by the relative population of Ce in interstitial sites compared to lattice sites as well as by differences in the transfer efficiencies to different sites.
Does board demographic diversity influence firm performance? Evidence from Indian-knowledge intensive firms

Purpose In the wake of inconsistent findings between board diversity and firm performance, the purpose of this paper is to advance the research by examining the linear and non-linear nature of the relationship between board demographic diversity (gender, age, tenure, and education) and firm performance in Indian knowledge-intensive firms (KIFs). Design/methodology/approach This study uses a panel data set of top KIFs in India that is listed in National Stock Exchange’s Top-200 list for the period 2010-2014. Findings Results indicate that there exists a positive linear relationship between the overall board demographic diversity index (board gender, age, tenure, and education) and firm performance. Among the effects of individual board diversity variables, the authors have found that board age diversity positively whereas education diversity negatively influences firm performance. Furthermore, gender diversity and tenure diversity do not significantly influence the firm performance. Research limitations/implications This study is based on the following demographic factors: gender, age, tenure, and level of education. The authors did not include other demographic variables such as nationality and language. Practical implications This research would help knowledge-intensive companies in designing their corporate boards. The results indicate that companies should have more diverse boards to enhance firm performance. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research to examine the effect of the overall board diversity index and individual board demographic diversity indices (gender, age, education, and tenure) on firm performance in the context of KIFs in India.