Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HISTOLOGIC AL , HISTOCHEMIC AL , AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE CARDIAC MUSCLE OF THE ALBINO R AT UNDER IMMOBILIZAT ION STRESS AND THE CURATIVE ROLE OF DIAZEPAM

The present study is planned to study the effect of immobil ization stress on the cardiac muscle of adult male albino rats and the curative role of diazepam. The study was carried out on 80 albino rats; the animals were divided into eight groups: group 1 served as control rats; group 2 unstressed rats injected intraperitoneal ly daily with 0.1 mg/kg b.w. diazepam for 30 days; groups 3, 4, and 5 served as immobil ized stressed-rats for 30 days (by restricting movement for 2 hr daily at different durations 5, 15, and 30 days, respect ively); groups 6, 7, and 8 stressed rats treated dai ly with 0.1 mg/kg b.w. diazepam for 30 days. The histological study of the cardiac myofibres of the stressedrats revealed disorganization of the muscle fibres, vacuolation of the sarcoplasm, pyknosis of the nuclei, congestion and dilatation of blood vessels in endomysium. The thickness of collagen fibres gradually increased and became compact dense in the stressed rats till 30 days, and they were more obvious around the blood vessels. The histochemical study demonstrated a marked reduction in the glycogen and protein contents of the cardiac muscle, and was timedependent. The immunohistochemical study revealed that the rats stressed for different durations manifested the disappearance of the cytoskeletal desmin protein filaments at intercalated discs and Z-lines of the cardiac myofibres. Treatment with diazepam for 30 days to stressed rats demonstrated markedly improvements of the architecture of cardiac myofibres and restoration of the two main chemical components; glycogen and protein contents. Also, restoration of desmin in the cardiac myofibres was elucidated. The results indicated that diazepam is recommended to be used as a curative drug to improve the disturbances in the cardiomyocytes and myofibri ls assembly caused under the effect of stress.
Elevational gradients in phylogenetic structure of ant communities reveal the interplay of biotic and abiotic constraints on diversity

A central focus of ecology and biogeography is to determine the factors that govern spatial variation in biodiversity. Here, we examined patterns of ant diversity along climatic gradients in three temperate montane systems: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (USA), Chiricahua Mountains (USA), and Vorarlberg (Austria). To identify the factors which potentially shape these elevational diversity gradients, we analyzed patterns of community phylogenetic structure (i.e. the evolutionary relationships among species coexisting in local communities). We found that species at low-elevation sites tended to be evenly dispersed across phylogeny, suggesting that these communities are structured by interspecific competition. In contrast, species occurring at high-elevation sites tended to be more closely related than expected by chance, implying that these communities are structured primarily by environmental filtering caused by low temperatures. Taken together, the results of our study highlight the potential role of niche constraints, environmental temperature, and competition in shaping broad-scale diversity gradients. We conclude that phylogenetic structure indeed accounts for some variation in species density, yet it does not entirely explain why temperature and species density are correlated.
Telomere Position Effect : Silencing Near the End

The organization of genomes into heterochromatic and euchromatic regions is a global method of gene regulation, in contrast to single-gene transcriptional control. Originally defined cytologically in higher organisms as dark-staining chromatin, heterochromatin is now characterized by a collection of molecular markers including repetitive DNA, regular nucleosome spacing, low gene density, late S phase replication, and histone tail modifications including hypoacetylation (for review, see Henikoff 2000; Richards and Elgin 2002). Heterochromatin is often found at centromeric and telomeric loci, and active genes that are translocated to heterochromatin are heritably silenced, often in a mosaic or variegated pattern from cell to cell. This variegation is thought to reflect a stochastic heterochromatin assembly at a formerly euchromatic locus. Termed “facultative heterochromatin,” these genes are silent in only a subset of the cells, as opposed to “constitutive heterochromatin,” where silencing is stable in all cells (for review, see Richards and Elgin 2002). Heterochromatic transcriptional silencing is distinct from transcriptional repression seen at individual promoters that occurs at particular times in the cell cycle or during organismal development. Unlike the mechanisms of repression at specific promoters, heterochromatic silencing is generally promoter-nonspecific, such that almost all promoters are silenced by heterochromatin. Heterochromatin constitutes a repressive environment for gene expression over a large distance, in contrast to
Transient stability with grid connection and wind turbine drive-train effects

This paper assesses transient stability of grid-connected wind turbines, combining grid-connection, wind turbine flexibility, and induction generator stability features. Through a grid-connected 2 MW wind turbine cage-generator, the investigation is conducted to identify the critical clearing time (CCT) and critical speed (CS), using in detail modelling. These steady-state concepts for transient stability, are time-domain extended to identify a set of possible critical couples instead of a rigid one, as is the case of the steady-state approach. In this way, more flexible control and protection strategies may be designed, for low voltage fault ride-through requirements and compliance.
Monopole-antimonopole chains and vortex rings

We consider static axially symmetric solutions of SU(2) Yang-Mills-Higgs theory. The simplest such solutions represent monopoles, multimonopoles and monopole-antimonopole pairs. In general such solutions are characterized by two integers, the winding number m of their polar angle, and the winding number n of their azimuthal angle. For solutions with n=1 and n=2, the Higgs field vanishes at m isolated points along the symmetry axis, which are associated with the locations of m monopoles and antimonopoles of charge n. These solutions represent chains of m monopoles and antimonopoles in static equilibrium. For larger values of n, totally different configurations arise, where the Higgs field vanishes on one or more rings, centered around the symmetry axis. We discuss the properties of such monopole-antimonopole chains and vortex rings, in particular, their energies and magnetic dipole moments, and we study the influence of a finite Higgs self-coupling constant on these solutions.
Stackelberg Security Games: Looking Beyond a Decade of Success

The Stackelberg Security Game (SSG) model has been immensely influential in security research since it was introduced roughly a decade ago. Furthermore, deployed SSG-based applications are one of most successful examples of game theory applications in the real world. We present a broad survey of recent technical advances in SSG and related literature, and then look to the future by highlighting the new potential applications and open research problems in SSG.
Outcome of an oral health programme for preschool children in a low socio-economic multicultural area in the city of Malmö ,

The aim of this study was to evaluate the caries-preventive effect of an oral health program for preschool children living in a multicultural, low socio-economic area. In total, 804 2-year-old children were invited and recalled every 3rd month to an outreach facility for parent education and toothbrushing instruction. In addition, fluoride tablets (0.25 mg/day) were provided free of charge. A clinical examination and questionnaire were completed at baseline and at age 3 years. The results of the intervention were compared with a non-intervention Reference group of 3-year-old children (n=217) from the same area. In the Intervention group, the 1-year attrition rate was 8.2%, and more than 90% of the children attended at least 4 of their scheduled appointments. The parents’ daily assistance with toothbrushing and the use of fluoride toothpaste and tablets improved significantly during the intervention. Compared with the Reference group when the children were 3 years old, the number of children in the Intervention group who consumed frequent in-between meals and sweet drinks at night was significantly lower. Caries prevalence at age 3 was significantly lower in the Intervention group than in the Reference group (3.0 deft versus 4.4 deft; p50.01). The number of caries-free children after the 1-year intervention was 37% in the Intervention group compared with 15% in the Reference group. The relative risk (RR) was calculated to be 2.5 (95% CI 1.8–3.4) and the number needed to treat (NNT) 4.6. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the oral health program significantly affected the prevalence of caries and various risk factors for caries development.
Marketing to retirees in Malaysia : a study of shopping habits and retail needs / Chuah Guat Mey

This study is an attempt to examine grocery shopping habits and retail attributes valued by retirees. A comparison of behavior and preferences among the different age and ethnic groups as well as between male and female is conducted. Shopping habits examined include: type of store patronized, frequency of shopping trips, time of day for shopping, and money spent for each shopping trip. Information seeking behavior of older adults when in doubt about a particular product class is also examined. A list of 35 statements measuring different attributes is included to provide an understanding about the salient attributes important to retirees in Malaysia. Factors considered important are: free parking, favorable refund policy, one-stop shopping, reasonable pricing and ample parking bays. The least important are: celebrity endorsement and sales assistants who are of similar age as the retirees. Significant differences in attributes are found between those who are 60 years and older and those who are younger than 60 years. The Chinese are less concerned about quality, product origin, and availability of toilet facility. The females are more concerned about readable labels and tags, and accessibility by public transport while the males consider product packaging, ample parking bays, and free parking as desirable.
Development of Japanese Version of Smartphone Dependence Scale

We designed a Japanese version of the Smartphone Dependence Scale (J-SDS) for university students, and assessed its validity and reliability. For development of this scale, we initially selected 43 preliminary items based on previous studies of Internet and mobile phone dependence. Each response was scored using a Likert scale (0, 1, 2, 3), with higher scores indicating greater dependence. After administering the preliminary scale to 149 university students, the final 29 items were selected according to exploratory factor analysis. The final scale consisted of 5 factors: 1) craving and withdrawal, 2) overuse and tolerance, 3) virtual life orientation, 4) disturbance of concentration in class, and 5) physical symptoms. Reliability coefficient (Cronbach’s alpha) values for the 5 factors and total J-SDS were 0.87, 0.87, 0.76, 0.77, 0.69, and 0.92, respectively. We then summed the Likert scores for each item to provide a quantitative overall smartphone dependence score, with higher scores indicating greater dependence. The J-SDS score became significantly higher with longer hours of smartphone use (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that the J-SDS is a reliable and valid scale for screening university students who may be at risk of developing smartphone dependence.
Lung Cancer Detection and Classification with 3D Convolutional Neural Network (3D-CNN)

This paper demonstrates a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for lung cancer classification of CT scans with unmarked nodules, a dataset from the Kaggle Data Science Bowl, 2017. Thresholding was used as an initial segmentation approach to segment out lung tissue from the rest of the CT scan. Thresholding produced the next best lung segmentation. The initial approach was to directly feed the segmented CT scans into 3D CNNs for classification, but this proved to be inadequate. Instead, a modified U-Net trained on LUNA16 data (CT scans with labeled nodules) was used to first detect nodule candidates in the Kaggle CT scans. The U-Net nodule detection produced many false positives, so regions of CTs with segmented lungs where the most likely nodule candidates were located as determined by the U-Net output were fed into 3D Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) to ultimately classify the CT scan as positive or negative for lung cancer. The 3D CNNs produced a test set Accuracy of 86.6%. The performance of our CAD system outperforms the current CAD systems in literature which have several training and testing phases that each requires a lot of labeled data, while our CAD system has only three major phases (segmentation, nodule candidate detection, and malignancy classification), allowing more efficient training and detection and more generalizability to other cancers.
Performance, carcass traits, meat quality and economic analysis of feedlot of young bulls fed oilseeds with and without supplementation of vitamin E

The objective of this research was to evaluate average daily gain (ADG), carcass traits, meat tenderness and profitability of keeping cattle fed different oilseeds and vitamin E in feedlot. A total of 40 Red Norte young bulls with initial average body weight of 339±15 kg were utilized. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The experiment lasted 84 days and experimental diets presented soybeans or cottonseeds as lipid sources associated or not to daily supplementation of 2,500 UI vitamin E per animal. The concentrate:roughage ratio was 60:40. Diets had the same amount of nitrogen (13% CP) and ether extract (6.5%). The data were analyzed by means of statistical software SAS 9.1. Neither vitamin supplementation nor lipid source affected ADG. There was no interaction between lipid source and vitamin supplementation for the variables studied. The inclusion of cottonseed reduced the carcass yield. There was no effect of diets on hot and cold carcass weights or prime cuts. The inclusion of cottonseed reduced the backfat thickness. No effect of experimental diets on the rib-eye area was observed. There was no effect of lipid source or vitamin supplementation on meat tenderness, which was affected, however, by ageing time. Diets with soybeans presented higher cost per animal. The utilization of soybean implied reduction of the gross margin (R$ 59.17 and R$ 60.51 for diets based on soy with and without supplemental vitamin, respectively, vs. R$ 176.42 and R$ 131.79 for diets based on cottonseed). The utilization of cottonseed enables improvement of profitability of feedlot fattening, in spite of negatively affecting some carcass characteristics.
The Effect of Placement Practices on Employee Performance in Small Service Firms in the Information Technology Sector in Kenya

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of placement practices on employee performance in the small service firms in the information technology sector. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The study selected a sample of owner managers of 36 firms using stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics which included frequencies and percentages. A bivariate pearson correlation was performed to determine the relationship between placement practices and employee performance. Findings The study found that most employees in the firms were average performers. The results show strong associations between performance on the one hand and job information, training and guidance on the other. Limitations/Implications A more comprehensive study needs to be done to determine the effect of Human Resource Management practices on employee performance in these organizations. Originality/value: In Kenya few studies have focussed on Human Resource Management practices in small service firms in the Information Technology Sector and so this study makes a contribution in that area.
Evaluation of Current Controllers for Distributed Power Generation Systems

This paper discusses the evaluation of different current controllers employed for grid-connected distributed power generation systems having variable input power, such as wind turbines and photovoltaic systems. The focus is mainly set on linear controllers such as proportional-integral, proportional-resonant, and deadbeat (DB) controllers. Additionally, an improved DB controller robust against grid impedance variation is also presented. Since the paper discusses the implementation of these controllers for grid-connected applications, their evaluation is made in three operating conditions. First, in steady-state conditions, the contribution of controllers to the total harmonic distortion of the grid current is pursued. Further on, the behavior of controllers in the case of transient conditions like input power variations and grid voltage faults is also examined. Experimental results in each case are presented in order to evaluate the performance of the controllers.
Regulating Lines: Making Use of Imaginary Lines and Design Principles in the Studio

Regulating lines are visible or implied lines used to compose and construct artifacts, buildings, landscapes or other objects. In landscape architecture, regulating lines have been used from antiquity. During the renaissance, for example, many French formal gardens were organized with symmetry and Euclidean geometry as organizing elements. These formal gardens often had visible or implied regulating lines. Contemporary use and asymmetrical use of regulating lines can be observed in the works of Dan Kiely, Peter Walker, Andrea Cochran, Marth Swartz and others. In landscape architecture, the use of regulating lines and the articulation of a method to design with regulating lines is not well-developed. There are several introductory textbooks in landscape architecture education which mention regulating lines, but these references lack detail regarding how regulating lines can be observed or used. This paper explores a case study example of how regulating lines were used as a teaching tool. As an exercise in the design studio, landscape architecture students were given assignments to make a landscape design with the use of regulating lines. One case study is presented to demonstrate how regulating lines can be used by students and faculty in the design studio. Regarding application to professional practice, the design of some informal designs may not be aided by regulating lines such as meandering designs or highly irregular properties. This paper aims to encourage dialog and critique of using regulating lines as a teaching tool, and to demonstrate their potential appropriateness or usefulness.
Pollutants affect development in nestling starlings Sturnus vulgaris

1. Pollutants as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are of worldwide concern, due to their detrimental effects on the physiology and behaviour of wildlife. One major source of EDCs is sewage treatment works which serve as foraging grounds for many bird species. However, the risks of consuming EDCs to wild birds at these sites have been largely overlooked. 2. We have previously quantified contamination levels of invertebrates fromwithin filter beds of sewage treatment works and the intake rates of these invertebrates by wild European starlings feeding at these sites. Our work to date has shown that environmentally-relevant EDC exposure results in reduced immunocompetence, increased song behaviour and neural development in adult starlings. 3. In the present study, we hypothesized that nestling starlings exposed to similar EDC levels from contaminated prey, from parental feeding at sewage treatment works, would show altered growth and physiology. 4. Our findings show that EDC exposure results in reduced growth and immunocompetence in nestling birds. However, there was no effect on corticosterone or haematocrit levels. As growth rates and immunocompetence are likely to be related to survival rates, we suggest that these exposure levels are likely to adversely affect recruitment into the adult population. 5. Synthesis and applications. These results highlight the potential transfer of EDCs between semiaquatic or aquatic organisms and terrestrial organisms up the food chain at sites of sewage treatment works, broadening the scope of potential routes of exposure. Our findings suggest that birds foraging in these sites are at risk of physiological manipulation from EDCs and reduced body condition as a result. We advocate further work to evaluate the potential for EDCs from sewage treatment works to bioaccumulate and modulate the condition of wild organisms feeding on contaminated prey. Our results suggest that changes in management practices of sewage treatment works are required. We support measures to reduce EDC levels in sewage treatment works and that these sites should be designed to exclude or deter wildlife from foraging on contaminated prey. The management implications of such policy – oriented steps will ensure the health of wildlife foraging at sewage treatment works.
Multicentric spindle cell hemangioendothelioma of spleen : Case report

Malignant mesenchymal tumors of the spleen are rare. The vast majority of primary sarcomas of the spleen are of vascular origin. Hemangioendothelioma, a vascular tumor, is characterized by mild cellular atypia, low mitotic rate and intermediate appearance between hemangioma and conventional angiosarcoma histopathologically. We report herein a case of multicentric splenic hemangioendothelioma presenting together with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis, mild anemia and indirect hyperbilirubinemia, which were recovered after cholecystectomy and splenectomy. [Turk J Cancer 2008;38(1):30-33]
A Dual-Band U-Slot PIFA Antenna with Ground Slit for RFID Applications

In this paper, a Planar Inverted-F Antenna (PIFA) with U-Slot (U-PIFA) and slit in ground is introduced. The proposed PIFA is compact with single coaxial feed, single short strip, and single short pin. The main achievement of this research was the design of ISM Microwave bands 2.45/5.8 GHz dual band PIFA antenna by using slit in ground to control the selection of lower resonance frequency without any mutual effect on the upper resonance frequency which determined from U-slot in the patch. The dielectric constant of the substrate is 4.3 and loss tangent of 0.013, FR-4 substrate. The characteristics (input impedance, and the far field radiation pattern) of the U-PIFA were analyzed by a CST (Computer Simulation technology) Microwave Studio package. The maximum impedance bandwidths achieved are ~8.44% centered at 2.45 GHz and ~ 6.78% centered at 5.8 GHz for a return loss less than 10 dB with nearly omnidirectional pattern suitable for RFID applications. The antenna gains for frequency 2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz are 2.2 dB and 6.55 dB, respectively.