Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extended differentiation of veins and stomata is essential for the expansion of large leaves in Rheum rhabarbarum.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The densities of veins and stomata govern leaf water supply and gas exchange. They are coordinated to avoid overproduction of either veins or stomata. In many species, where leaf area is greater at low light, this coordination is primarily achieved through differential cell expansion, resulting in lower stomatal and vein density in larger leaves. This mechanism would, however, create highly inefficient leaves in species in which leaf area is greater at high light. Here we investigate the role of cell expansion and differentiation as regulators of vein and stomatal density in Rheum rhabarbarum, which produces large leaves under high light. METHODS Rheum rhabarbarum plants were grown under full sunlight and 7% of full sunlight. Leaf area, stomatal density, and vein density were measured from leaves harvested at different intervals. KEY RESULTS Leaves of R. rhabarbarum expanded at high light were six times larger than leaves expanded at low light, yet vein and stomatal densities were similar. In high light-expanded leaves, minor veins were continuously initiated as the leaves expanded, while an extended period of stomatal initiation, compared to leaves expanded at low light, occurred early in leaf development. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that R. rhabarbarum adjusts the initiation of stomata and minor veins at high light, allowing for the production of larger leaves uncoupled from lower vein and stomatal densities. We also present evidence for an independent control of vein and stomatal initiation, suggesting that this adjustment must involve some unknown developmental mechanism.
Reward systems and cognitions in Major Depressive Disorder

A lack of motivation and anhedonia represent frequent and pervasive symptoms in depression, although with poor specificity. Historically described as a response bias, reward-related impairments in depression may account for the important aspects of the cognitive impairments associated with diagnosis of major depressive disorder. Reward processing is a broad psychological construct that can be parsed into 3 distinct components known as “reinforcement learning” (learning), “reward responsiveness” (liking), and “motivation to obtain a reward” (wanting). Depressed patients respond hyposensitively to reward and maladaptively to punishment: this pattern is related to a dysfunction in the frontostriatal systems modulated by the monoamine systems; seems to be observed in medicated and unmedicated patients with depression and in healthy individuals with high levels of anhedonia; and could be observed in patients with a history of depression, even when in full remission. Considered to be cognitive impairments, reward-related-impairments may also constitute part of an underlying neurobiological vulnerability to major depressive disorder (MDD). For example, the reward-related impairment is state dependent and, more or less, correlated with symptom severity in some studies but has also been proposed as being trait like, with endophenotype characteristics, possibly contributing to the persistence of the disease or treatment resistance. The 3 core aspects of reward processing have specific neurobiological correlates that involve the ventral and dorsal striatum, lateral habenula, ventral tegmental area, orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These structures underline the important role of the dopaminergic mesolimbic pathway, but glutamate and serotonin could also have an important role, at least in some aspects of reward-related impairments.
Assessing the value of a time series of EO-1 data for Coleambally Irrigation Area

The Coleambally Irrigation Area (CIA) in Australia has been used to validate Hyperion data. A time series of Hyperion imagery has been acquired over the CIA during the entire 2001/2002 southern hemisphere summer growing season. Extensive spectral ground sampling was performed to validate the spectral signatures derived by Hyperion. In this paper, we describe the basic processing steps that have been applied to geometrically and atmospherically correct the data and reduce the effects of noise prior to investigating the time series of specific measures of crop productivity through its biochemistry.
Comparison of formol-acetone concentration method with that of the direct iodine preparation and formol-ether concentration methods for examination of stool parasites

Abstract Background: Formol-ether concentration technique is taken as a gold standard method to detect most intestinal parasites; however, because of its low safety and hazardous impact a need for better technique has a paramount importance. Objective: To evaluate a formol- acetone concentration method in comparison with the conventional direct iodine preparation and formol- ether concentration methods in detecting intestinal parasites. Methods: A total of 382 stool samples were collected from Tseda elementary school children, in 2006. Samples were processed and examined using formol-acetone concentration, the direct iodine stained smear, and formol-ether concentration methods. Results: Formol-ether detected 79.1% of parasites followed by formol-acetone (73.6%) and direct iodine preparation (50.3%). Statistical (P< 0.05) difference was observed for the detection of over all positivity of any parasites between the two concentration methods. However, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predicative value of formol-acetone were 88.1%, 81.3%, and 94.7%, respectively respective to formol-ether method. Almost similar detection ability was also observed by the two concentration methods for A. lumbricoids, H. nana, T. trichuira, and S. stercoralis. However, there was difference in the detection rate of hookworm and S. mansoni. Conclusions: for safety and hazard free laboratory set up, this new method might be used as an alternative choice for formol-ether concentration method. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010;24(2):148-151]
Slower Algebra Students Meet Faster Tools: Solving Algebra Word Problems with Graphing Software

The article discusses the ways that less successful mathematics students used graphing software with capabilities similar to a basic graphing calculator to solve algebra problems in context. The study is based on interviewing students who learned algebra for 3 years in an environment where software tools were always present. We found differences between the work of these less successful students and the traditional problem-solving patterns of less successful students. These less successful students used the graphing software to obtain a broader view, to confirm conjectures, and to complete difficult operations. However, they delayed using symbolic formalism, and most of their solution attempts focused on numeric and graphic representations. Their process of reaching a solution was found to be relatively long, and the graphing software tool was often not used at all because it did not support symbolic formulation and manipulations.
THE ChaMPlane BRIGHT X-RAY SOURCES—GALACTIC LONGITUDES l = 2°–358°

The Chandra Multi-wavelength Plane (ChaMPlane) survey aims to constrain the Galactic population of mainly accretion-powered, but also coronal, low-luminosity X-ray sources (LX ≲ 1033 erg s−1). To investigate the X-ray source content in the plane at fluxes FX ≳ 3 × 10−14 erg s−1 cm−2, we study 21 of the brightest ChaMPlane sources, viz., those with >250 net counts (0.3–8 keV). By excluding the heavily obscured central part of the plane, our optical/near-infrared follow-up puts useful constraints on their nature. We have discovered two likely accreting white dwarf binaries. CXOPS J154305.5–522709 (CBS 7) is a cataclysmic variable showing periodic X-ray flux modulations on 1.2 hr and 2.4 hr; given its hard spectrum the system is likely magnetic. We identify CXOPS J175900.8–334548 (CBS 17) with a late-type giant; if the X-rays are indeed accretion powered, it belongs to the small but growing class of symbiotic binaries lacking strong optical nebular emission lines. CXOPS J171340.5–395213 (CBS 14) is an X-ray transient that brightened ≳100 times. We tentatively classify it as a very late type (>M7) dwarf, of which few have been detected in X-rays. The remaining sources are (candidate) active galaxies, normal stars and active binaries, and a plausible young T Tauri star. The derived cumulative number density versus flux (log N–log S) relation for the Galactic sources appears flatter than expected for an isotropic distribution, indicating that we are seeing a non-local sample of mostly coronal sources. Our findings define source templates that we can use, in part, to classify the >104 fainter sources in ChaMPlane.
Compressed Sensing-Aided Index Modulation Improves Space-Time Shift Keying Assisted Millimeter-Wave Communications

In this treatise, we present the concept of compressed-sensing (CS)-aided space-time shift keying index modulation (STSK-IM), where a virtual domain orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol is divided into <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N_{a}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-sized blocks, which carry <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula> STSK codewords over a specific combination of virtual-domain sub-carriers and then converted to the frequency domain with the aid of a CS matrix. We design the system for operation in the milli-meter wave (mmWave) frequency band. Furthermore, we amalgamate our soft-decision-aided scheme both with the concept of coordinate-interleaving as well as a discrete Fourier transform-aided codebook design conceived for analogue beamforming, which is vitally important for mmWave systems. In the proposed system, the number of implicit bits conveyed by the activated sub-carrier frequency index (FI) is determined by the number of the available <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula> to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N_{a}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> sub-carrier permutations. Hence, we propose two FI allocation techniques, namely the distinct FI and the shared FI-based schemes, which strike a tradeoff between the attainable sparsity level and the achievable capacity limit. We then introduce a reduced-complexity detection technique in order to mitigate the detection complexity order of the optimum detector from <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathcal {O}(N_{c}\cdot (Q\cdot \mathcal {L})^{K})$ </tex-math></inline-formula> to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mathcal {O}(\hat {N}_{c}\cdot (Q\cdot \mathcal {L})^{K})$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, where <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\hat {N}_{c}\le N_{c}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. We also formulate the discrete-input continuous-output memoryless channel capacity and invoke EXtrinsic Information Transfer charts for characterizing the achievable performance limit of the reduced-complexity aided detector. Finally, we analyze the bit error rate performance of both the uncoded and of our coded CS-aided STSK-IM systems associated with both the optimum and the reduced-complexity detectors.
Chest X‐ray evaluation training: impact of normal and abnormal image ratio and instructional sequence

Medical image perception training generally focuses on abnormalities, whereas normal images are more prevalent in medical practice. Furthermore, instructional sequences that let students practice prior to expert instruction (inductive) may lead to improved performance compared with methods that give students expert instruction before practice (deductive). This study investigates the effects of the proportion of normal images and practice–instruction order on learning to interpret medical images. It is hypothesised that manipulation of the proportion of normal images will lead to a sensitivity–specificity trade‐off and that students in practice‐first (inductive) conditons need more time per practice case but will correctly identify more test cases.
Promoting retention and successful completion on Masters courses in education: a study comparing e‐tuition using asynchronous conferencing software with face‐to‐face tuition

This paper considers the influence of e‐tuition using an asynchronous written conferencing package, FirstClass, upon retention and success rates for Masters‐level courses in a distance learning programme as compared with similar courses that were supported in a traditional manner using face‐to‐face tuition. The paper investigates the common assumption that the use of e‐tuition might negatively influence both retention and success rates by studying data gathered on UK Open University Masters courses in education. These data have allowed direct comparisons between e‐tutored and face‐to‐face tutored courses to be made. The effect of linking assessment to participation in activities using FirstClass is also considered in this study. This research has revealed that e‐tutoring using FirstClass appears to have no significant positive or negative influence on either retention or success on such courses.
Phase one development of the NPOESS Conical-scanning Microwave Imager/Sounder (CMIS)

The Conical-scanning Microwave Imager/Sounder (CMIS) is a multi-band radiometer currently under development by the National Polar-orbiting Operational Satellite System (NPOESS) Integrated Program Office and Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS). The CMIS is the follow-on for the Defense Meteorological Satellite System (DMSP) SSMIS and SSM/I conical-scanning radiometers. Two teams in competition performed the CMIS phase one (risk reduction) development. At the end of this period, in July 2001, BSS was selected to continue development of the CMIS with the first flight unit delivery scheduled for 2005 and launch in 2009. The current baseline CMIS sensor design has several unique features including channels from /spl sim/6 GHz to above 190 GHz, sea surface wind direction capability, atmospheric temperature sounding up to /spl sim/0.01 mb using digital FFT channelization techniques, dual primary apertures, and moisture profiling channels. This paper will focus on the unique aspects of the CMIS baseline design and describe the link between sensor design and fulfillment of the assigned CMIS operational environmental data products.
Occurrence and Dynamism of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Distinct Ecological Niches: A Multifaceted Functional Health Perspective

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are representative members of multiple ecosystems on earth, displaying dynamic interactions within animal and plant kingdoms in respect with other microbes. This highly heterogeneous phylogenetic group has coevolved with plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates, establishing either mutualism, symbiosis, commensalism, or even parasitism-like behavior with their hosts. Depending on their location and environment conditions, LAB can be dominant or sometimes in minority within ecosystems. Whatever their origins and relative abundance in specific anatomic sites, LAB exhibit multifaceted ecological and functional properties. While some resident LAB permanently inhabit distinct animal mucosal cavities, others are provided by food and may transiently occupy the gastrointestinal tract. It is admitted that the overall gut microbiome has a deep impact on health and diseases. Here, we examined the presence and the physiological role of LAB in the healthy human and several animal microbiome. Moreover, we also highlighted some dysbiotic states and related consequences for health, considering both the resident and the so-called “transionts” microorganisms. Whether LAB-related health effects act collectively or follow a strain-specificity dogma is also addressed. Besides the highly suggested contribution of LAB to interplay with immune, metabolic, and even brain-axis regulation, the possible involvement of LAB in xenobiotic detoxification processes and metal equilibrium is also tackled. Recent technological developments such as functional metagenomics, metabolomics, high-content screening and design in vitro and in vivo experimental models now open new horizons for LAB as markers applied for disease diagnosis, susceptibility, and follow-up. Moreover, identification of general and more specific molecular mechanisms based on antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties of LAB currently extends their selection and promising use, either as probiotics, in traditional and functional foods, for dedicated treatments and mostly for maintenance of normobiosis and homeostasis.
Thermal dynamics of ovarian maturation in Atlantic cod 1 ( Gadus morhua ) 2 3

The timing and success of spawning in marine fish is of fundamental 21 importance to population persistence, distribution and, for commercial species, 22 sustainability. Their physiological processes of reproduction are regulated, in part, by 23 water temperature, and therefore changes in marine climate may have dramatic effects 24 upon spawning performance. Using Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) as a case study, we 25 examined the links between water temperature, vitellogenesis and spawning time by 26 conducting extensive laboratory and field studies. Our experiments documented that 27 vitellogenesis generally starts at autumnal equinox, and that oocyte growth and 28 investment is greater in cod held at warmer temperatures. Furthermore, spawning 29 occurred earlier when oocyte growth was more rapid. The experimental results were 30 confirmed by measurements of oocyte growth collected from wild caught cod in 31 northern (Barents Sea) and southern (Irish and North Seas) populations. A model of 32 oocyte maturation was successfully developed to explain the results. This model was 33 consistent with published egg production curves of cod from the Barents Sea, North 34 and Irish Seas, considering in situ temperatures recorded by individual data-storage 35 tags on cod in those areas. These findings have considerable relevance for 36 future studies of fish recruitment in relation to climate change. 37 38 39
Multiplicity of Advanced T Category–Tumors Is a Risk Factor for Survival in Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma

Background Previous studies on synchronous colorectal carcinoma (SCRC) have reported inconsistent results about its clinicopathologic and molecular features and prognostic significance. Methods Forty-six patients with multiple advanced tumors (T2 or higher category) who did not receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and who are not associated with familial adenomatous polyposis were selected and 99 tumors from them were subjected to clinicopathologic and molecular analysis. Ninety-two cases of solitary colorectal carcinoma (CRC) were selected as a control considering the distributions of types of surgeries performed on patients with SCRC and T categories of individual tumors from SCRC. Results SCRC with multiple advanced tumors was significantly associated with more frequent nodal metastasis (p = .003) and distant metastasis (p = .001) than solitary CRC. KRAS mutation, microsatellite instability, and CpG island methylator phenotype statuses were not different between SCRC and solitary CRC groups. In univariate survival analysis, overall and recurrence-free survival were significantly lower in patients with SCRC than in patients with solitary CRC, even after adjusting for the extensiveness of surgical procedure, adjuvant chemotherapy, or staging. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that tumor multiplicity was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio, 4.618; 95% confidence interval, 2.126 to 10.030; p < .001), but not for recurrence-free survival (p = .151). Conclusions Findings suggested that multiplicity of advanced T category–tumors might be associated with an increased risk of nodal metastasis and a risk factor for poor survival, which raises a concern about the guideline of American Joint Committee on Cancer’s tumor-node-metastasis staging that T staging of an index tumor determines T staging of SCRC.
A View from the Other Side

Abstract Research on the effects of intergenerational service-learning has more often focused on outcomes for students than on outcomes for elders served by those programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the effects of an intergenerational service-learning program on elders living in a small Midwestern community. Service-learning programs may be of particular value for rural-dwelling elders because of the paucity of health and human services in rural areas and the outmigration of the young to urban locations. University students were involved in friendly visiting, reminiscence, oral history, and recreational activities with 43 elders in four community settings: a congregate meal site, a semi-independent living setting, an assisted living setting, and a nursing home. Age of respondents ranged from 60 to 98, with most being in their 80s and 90s. Elders were asked to discuss positive and negative reactions to the service-learning, what students and elders had contributed to each other, and suggestions for improvement. Interviews were transcribed and major themes identified using the method of constant comparison (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Major themes that emerged from the content analysis were the benefits of personal interaction and companionship, increased intergenerational understanding, and being able to share life experiences. A large majority of elders thought the project should be continued. Suggestions included better advance preparation of students and elders and more attention to termination issues. Implications for further development of intergenerational programs are discussed.
Cloud based Real-Time and Low Latency Scientific Event Analysis

Astronomy is well recognized as big data driven science. As the novel observation infrastructures are developed, the sky survey cycles have been shortened from a few days to a few seconds, causing data processing pressure to shift from offline to online. However, existing scientific databases focus on offline analysis of long-term historical data, not real-time and low latency analysis of large-scale newly arriving data.In this paper, a cloud based method is proposed to efficiently analyze scientific events on large-scale newly arriving data. The solution is implemented as a highly efficient system, namely Aserv. A set of compact data store and index structures are proposed to describe the proposed scientific events and a typical analysis pattern is formulized as a set of query operations. Domain aware filter, accuracy aware data partition, highly efficient index and frequently used statistical data designs are four key methods to optimize the performance of Aserv. Experimental results under the typical cloud environment show that the presented optimization mechanism can meet the low latency demand for both large data insertion and scientific event analysis. Aserv can insert 3.5 million rows of data within 3 seconds and perform the heaviest query on 6.7 billion rows of data also within 3 seconds. Furthermore, a performance model is given to help Aserv choose the right cloud resource setup to meet the guaranteed real-time performance requirement.