Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Excitation‐contraction coupling in skeletal muscle of a mouse lacking the dihydropyridine receptor subunit γ1

In skeletal muscle, dihydropyridine (DHP) receptors control both Ca2+ entry (L‐type current) and internal Ca2+ release in a voltage‐dependent manner. Here we investigated the question of whether elimination of the skeletal muscle‐specific DHP receptor subunit γ1 affects excitation‐contraction (E–C) coupling. We studied intracellular Ca2+ release and force production in muscle preparations of a mouse deficient in the γ1 subunit (γ‐/‐). The rate of internal Ca2+ release at large depolarization (+20 mV) was determined in voltage‐clamped primary‐cultured myotubes derived from satellite cells of adult mice by analysing fura‐2 fluorescence signals and estimating the concentration of free and bound Ca2+. On average, γ‐/‐ cells showed an increase in release of about one‐third of the control value and no alterations in the time course. Voltage of half‐maximal activation (V1/2) and voltage sensitivity (k) were not significantly different in γ‐/‐ myotubes, either for internal Ca2+ release activation or for the simultaneously measured L‐type Ca2+ conductance. The same was true for maximal Ca2+ inward current and conductance. Contractions evoked by electrical stimuli were recorded in isolated extensor digitorum longus (EDL; fast, glycolytic) and soleus (slow, oxidative) muscles under normal conditions and during fatigue induced by repetitive tetanic stimulation. Neither time course nor amplitudes of twitches and tetani nor force‐frequency relations showed significant alterations in the γ1‐deficient muscles. In conclusion, the overall results show that the γ1 subunit is not essential for voltage‐controlled Ca2+ release and force production.
Gibberellins and photoperiodic control of shoot elongation in Salix

Effects of exogenous gibberellins GA53, GA44, GA19, GA20 and GA1 on photoperiodically controlled shoot elongation in seedlings of Salix pentandra L. were studied. Gibberellins GA20 and GA1 induced shoot elongation under short days (SD) and could substitute for a transfer to long day (LD), while gibberellins A53, A44 and A19 were inactive. In seedlings exposed to a prolonged SD-treatment (30 days) there was a significant positive interaction between a transfer to LD and a treatment with GA20 and GA1 on shoot elongation. In addition, GA19 enhanced the growth promotive effect of LD in these seedlings. The results are compatible with the suggestion that conversion of GA19 to GA20 is blocked under SD. This effect is supposed to be an early process leading to the cessation of shoot elongation under SD. Responsiveness of the seedlings to LD and to a GA-treatment gradually decreased with an increasing length of exposure to SD.
Sodium chloride crystallization in drying porous media: influence of inhibitor

We investigated how salt crystallization inside a porous building material influences the formation of a receding drying front. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is used to measure non-destructively both hydrogen and dissolved sodium ions simultaneously during drying experiments. In this study we focused on the influence of NaCl on the drying. The results show that salt changes the drying process. At low relative humidities (RH ~ 0%), the drying rate of a brick saturated with NaCl solution is much lower than the drying rate of water saturated brick. Moreover, the presence of salt suppresses the development of a receding front. In this case homogenous drying of the material continues till very low saturation values. This is due to salt crystallization near the surface of the brick that causes blockage of the pores. This blockage reduces evaporation rate at the surface and allows maintaining a continuous hydraulic connection between the surface of the porous medium and the liquid present inside the material till low saturation values. Increasing the relative humidity at 55% and 70% RH with the brick saturated with the salt solution leads to a paradoxical situation with evaporation rates greater than for 0% RH. The paradox is explained by the impact of evaporation rate on the efflorescence microstructure, leading to the formation of a blocking crust for sufficiently high evaporation rates and non-blocking efflorescence for sufficiently low evaporation rates. The fundamental difference between the two types of efflorescence is demonstrated from a simple imbibition experiment. Using a simple continuum scale model of drying, critical moisture content was determined and all the essential features of the experimental results are validated. It is shown that critical moisture content can be very low in case of fired-clay brick due to the low threshold of the pore space, which is consistent with the relatively large pore size distribution of the fired-clay brick. Chapter 2: Paradoxical drying due to salt crystallization
ZOOPLANKTON FEEDING ECOLOGY: CONTENTS OF FECAL PELLETS OF THE COPEPOD CENTROPAGES VELIFICATUS FROM WATERS NEAR THE MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

The in situ diet of the copepod Centropages velificatus was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Contents of fecal pellets produced upon natural diets were compared with assemblages of available phytoplankton. Samples came from continental shelf waters near the mouth of the Mississippi River. A wide variety of particle sizes and types were ingested. The dominant phytoplankton taxa in pellets sometimes mirrored those dominant in the water, particularly if these were large solitary cells or elongate chains of smaller cells. However, in other cases the dominant phytoplankton remains in pellets were those of cells that were not abundant in the water. Crustacean remains and fine particles of silt from the river plume were also frequent dominant components. C. velificatus is clearly an omnivore.The often poor correspondence between ingested and abundant phytoplankton taxa and the frequency of crustacean remains suggests that this copepod spends much of its time feeding as a raptorial carnivore upon .
Measuring Poverty in the United States

The U.S. government measures poverty by a narrow income standard that does not include other aspects of economic status, such as material hardship (for example, living in substandard housing) or debt, nor does it consider financial assets (including savings or property). The official poverty measure is a specific dollar amount that varies by family size but is the same across the continental U.S. According to the guidelines, the poverty level in 2009 is $22,050 a year for a family of four and $18,310 for a family of three (see table). 1 The poverty guidelines are used to determine eligibility for public programs. A similar but more complex measure is used for calculating poverty rates.
Stem Cells and Neuronal Progenitors and Their Diversity in the CNS: Are Time and Place Important?

Stem cells are multilineage progenitor cells that are capable of self-regenerating and giving rise to different cell types. The proper assembly of the CNS into functionally relevant circuits requires that stem cells produce the right types of cells in the right number and position at the appropriate time. We suggest that the positional specification of stem cells is provided by the pattern of expression of early transcriptional regulators along the body axes. These mechanisms restrict the competence of stem cells to programming a local cellular repertoire. Conversely, we argue that the specification of different cell types in the appropriate number and sequence is independently carried out within CNS domains by subprograms that progressively change the intrinsic properties of the stem cells. Temporal changes in proliferation and differentiation of stem cells are controlled by cascades of extracellular signals and basic helix-loop-helix (bHlH) transcription factors. These regulators in turn may activate homeodomain transcription factors with more restricted effector functions. Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) are among the earliest acting signals providing local changes in growth within the developing CNS. Basic FGF (FGF2) increases the proliferation of either stem cells or their immediate progeny, increasing the number of founder cells in the developing cerebral cortex.
Systematics and Phylogeny of Middle Miocene Cervidae (Mammalia) from Mae Moh Basin (Thailand) and a Paleoenvironmental Estimate Using Enamel Isotopy of Sympatric Herbivore Species

ABSTRACT The primitive deer (subfamily Lagomerycinae) Lagomeryx and Stephanocemas are characterized primarily by their palmate antlers. Two lagomerycines, Lagomeryx manai, sp. nov., and Stephanocemas rucha, are described for the first time from Q and K coal layers of the late middle Miocene (13.4–13.2 Ma) Mae Moh Basin in northern Thailand. A species-level phylogeny of the Ligeromeryx-Lagomeryx clade, based on cranial appendages, reconstructs Lagomeryx manai, n. sp. , as a derived species of Lagomeryx, sister group of Lagomeryx complicidens. This study suggests that the large species of Lagomeryxare restricted geographically to Asia and dispersed to Southeast Asia at the latest during late middle Miocene, where they are represented by Lagomeryx manai, n. sp. The paleoenvironmental studies of five Mae Moh mammalian taxa, a cervid (Lagomeryx manai, n. sp.), an indeterminate bovid, a suid (Conohyus thailandicus), a rhinoceros (Gaindatherium sp.), and a proboscidean (Stegolophodon sp.), investigated with stable carbon and oxygen isotope analyses of tooth enamel, indicate that the Mae Moh mammals inhabited a wide range of habitats from woodlands to grasslands in a C3-plant-dominated environment. The new species of Lagomeryx seems to have been living in an open environment, contrary to its European relatives. The serial isotopic samples also support that Mae Moh herbivores probably lived in a low-seasonal climate during the late middle Miocene of northern Thailand.
Flour Particle Size, Starch Damage, and Alkali Reagent: Impact on Uniaxial Stress Relaxation Parameters of Yellow Alkaline Noodles

ABSTRACT Three patent flours, each possessing three different levels of starch damage were prepared from a single hard white spring wheat. Each flour was sieved to yield three flours with different particle size distributions (85–110, 110–132, 132–183 μm). Raw alkaline noodles were prepared from the nine flours using either 1% w/w kansui (sodium and potassium carbonates in 9:1 ratio) or 1% w/w sodium hydroxide. Uniaxial stress relaxation parameters percent stress relaxation (SR%), initial rate of relaxation (k1) and the extent of relaxation (k2) were measured on the raw noodles immediately after production (t = 0 min) and at 60 min. Raw noodles after resting for 60 min were optimally cooked and stress relaxation parameters were measured. Raw noodles at t = 0 min exhibited SR%, k1, and k2 that were significantly (P < 0.0001) influenced by both the degree of starch damage and the type of alkaline reagent used. Flour particle size only influenced SR% and k1 (P < 0.025) but had no impact on k2. In raw noodles.
Markerless facial motion capture: deep learning approaches on RGBD data

Facial expressions are a series of fast, complex and interconnected movement that causes an array of deformations, such as stretching, compressing and folding of the skin. Identifying expression is a natural process in human vision, but due to the diversity of faces, it has many challenges for computer vision. Research in markerless facial motion capture using single Red Green Blue (RGB) camera has gained popularity due to the wide access of the data, such as from mobile phones. The motivation behind this work is much of the existing work attempts to infer the 3-Dimensional (3D) data from 2-Dimensional (2D) images, such as in motion capture multiple 2D cameras are calibration to allow some depth prediction. Whereas, the inclusion of Red Green Blue Depth (RGBD) sensors that give ground truth depth data could gain a better understanding of the human face and how expressions are visualised. The aim of this thesis is to investigate and develop novel methods of markerless facial motion capture, where the focus is on the inclusions of RGBD data to provide 3D data. The contributions are: A tool to aid in the annotation of 3D facial landmarks; A novel neural network that demonstrate the ability of predicting 2D and 3D landmarks by merging RGBD data; Working application that demonstrates complex deep learning network on portable handheld devices; A review of existing methods of denoising fine detail in depth maps using neural networks; A network for the complete analysis of facial landmarks and expressions in 3D. The 3D annotator was developed to overcome the issues of relying on existing 3D modelling software, which made feature identification difficult. The technique of predicting 2D and 3D with auxiliary information, allowed high accuracy 3D landmarking, without the need for full model generation. Also, it outperformed other recent techniques of landmarking. The networks running on the handheld devices show as a proof of concept that even without much optimisation, a complex task can be performed in near real-time. Denoising Time of Flight (ToF) depth maps, showed much more complexity than the tradition RGB denoising, where we reviewed and applied an array of techniques to the task. The full facial analysis showed that when neural networks perform on a wide range of related task for auxiliary information allow for deep understanding of the overall task. The research for facial processing is vast, but still with many new problems and challenges to face and improve upon. While RGB cameras are used widely, we see the inclusion of high accuracy and cost-effective depth sensing device available. The new devices allow better understanding of facial features and expression. By using and merging RGB data, the area of facial landmarking, and expression intensity recognition can be improved.
Alteration in carbon partitioning induced by the movement protein of tobacco mosaic virus originates in the mesophyll and is independent of change in the plasmodesmal size exclusion limit

The influence of the 30 kDa movement protein of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV-MP) on carbon partitioning in trans-genie tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi) expressing the TMV-MP was investigated. Using reciprocal grafting of transgenic tobacco plants expressing this movement protein and vector control plants, as well as transgenic tobacco plants expressing the TMV-MP in phloem cells only, we showed that the interactive site involved in carbon allocation to roots is localized to the mesophyll tissue. Biomass partitioning experiments conducted on transgenic plants, in which various deletion mutant forms of the TMV-MP (two of which included deletions in the domain responsible for increasing the size exclusion limit) were expressed, revealed that the TMV-MP exerts its influence on carbon allocation via a mechanism that is completely independent of the TMV-MP-induced increase in the plasmodesmal size exclusion limit. Furthermore, small N- and C-terminal deletions in the MP revealed the complexity of the interactions likely to be involved between the MP and an endogenous regulatory mechanism. We propose that the TMV-MP interferes with an endogenous signal transduction pathway that involves macromolecular trafficking through plasmodesmata to regulate biomass partitioning between the source and various sink tissues.
The insemination window provides a distorted view of sperm competition in birds

The aim of this study is to identify and rectify a misunderstanding about the optimal timing of inseminations in birds. In species laying clutches of more than one egg, a copulation during the hour following egg-laying can result in sperm reaching the site of fertilization in time to fertilize the next egg to be laid. Cheng et al. (1983) referred to this period as the insemination window and proposed that it was ‘an especially favourable period' for males to obtain extra-pair copulations. As stated in their paper, this is true only in terms of the next ovum to be fertilized, but subsequent authors assumed that the insemination window represents a general peak in female fertility and have made predictions about the optimal timing of extra-pair behaviours and paternity guards relative to it. Far from being a general peak in female fertility, we show by a re-analysis of Cheng el al.'s data and by using published information on the domestic fowl Gallus domesticus, turkey Gallopavo meleagris and Muscovy duck Cairina moschata, that inseminations either just after egg-laying or just before it are much less likely overall to result in fertilization than inseminations made at other times. The reduced efficacy of inseminations made close to the time of egg-laying occurs because the retention of sperm by females inseminated at this time is low. The fact that inseminations made around the time of egg-laying in the domestic fowl, turkey and Muscovy duck have a reduced probability of fertilization is consistent with the fact that very few wild birds, even those in which sperm competition is intense, alter their copulation or mate guarding behaviour during the insemination window.
Introducing Live Microblogging: How Single Presentations Can Be Enhanced by the Mass

Web 2.0 technologies pervade our daily life as well as educational settings. A fairly new approach is communication through so called microblogging channels. Mobile devices with Internet access can be used to send short messages from a microblog. Combined with social network environments, applications such as Twitter, Jaiku, Pownce, and Plurk enrich our ways of communication. At Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) some research work has been done to investigate using microblogging tools to improve face-to-face lectures. The study described in this paper took place at a large international conference on e-learning, where a Twitter channel was established for discussion among the participants of the conference and those from outside. This stream was also used to “tweet” (post on Twitter) statements during the keynote presentations. By viewing the tweet-channel via an additional projector, the audience was able to follow the live-blogging session synchronously to the ongoing speech.
Advance Fagus sylvatica and Acer pseudoplatanus seedlings dominate tree regeneration in a mixed broadleaved former coppice-with- standards forest

Summary This study assessed the species composition and the development of regeneration plots in gaps created by a windstorm in a mixed-species broadleaved stand. The stand was a former coppicewith-standards characterized by a high broadleaved tree species diversity. Thirteen years after gap creation, all gaps were fully stocked and the regeneration was almost exclusively dominated by Fagus sylvatica and Acer pseudoplatanus seedlings, two species characterized by a high shade tolerance in their early stages. All other species ( Quercus sp., Fraxinus excelsior , Carpinus betulus , Acer campestre , Acer platanoides , Sorbus torminalis , Tilia sp.) were either absent from the regeneration or completely over-topped by the two dominant species. These features were ascribed to a regime of periodic natural or anthropic disturbance of intermediate intensity, where small gaps are regularly created in the canopy. This regime results in a succession of short, open and closed canopy episodes that eventually promote shade-tolerant species. During this regime, the shadetolerant species are able to build a strong advance regeneration that is ready to outgrow the other species when gaps are created. If the management objective is to maintain species diversity during the regeneration process, the development of this advance regeneration will have to be strictly controlled.
Handbook of U.S. Latino psychology: Developmental and community-based perspectives.

This study examines the values in Latino young adults' perceptions of messages about sex during their formative years and their current level. Latino migrant fathers' nonresidence is based predominately on economic need rather than a This approach to questionnaire development has been consistently used in this community-based Deficit perspectives of many nonresidential father populations contraindicate this Handbook of U.S. Latino Psychology. Chapter 7: Violence Against Children in the Community. Sagaert, Susan Toward an urban psychology: Research, action, and policy. American In The Oxford Handbook on Crime Prevention, edited by D.P. Farrington and B.C. Walsh. Oxford What violence prevention can tell us about developmental psychopathology.
Modelling vocabulary growth from birth to young adulthood

There has been considerable debate over the existence of the ‘vocabulary spurt’ phenomenon - an apparent acceleration in word learning that is commonly said to occur in children around the age of 18 months. This paper presents an investigation into modelling the phenomenon using data from almost 1800 children. The results indicate that the acquisition of a receptive/productive lexicon can be quite adequately modelled as a single growth function with an ecologically well founded and cognitively plausible interpretation. Hence it is concluded that there is little evidence for the vocabulary spurt phenomenon as a separable aspect of language acquisition. Index Terms : child language acquisition, lexical development, vocabulary size
Transitional justice in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union : reckoning with the communist past

Foreword Vladimir Tismaneanu 1. Post-Communist Transition, Justice and Transitional Justice Lavinia Stan 2. East Germany Gary Bruce 3. Czechoslovakia, and the Czech and Slovak Republics Nadya Nedelsky 4. Poland Lavinia Stan 5. Hungary Lavinia Stan 6. Romania Lavinia Stan 7. Bulgaria Momchil Metodiev 8. Albania Robert Austin and Jonathan Ellison 9. Slovenia Tamara Kotar 10. The Former Soviet Union Lavinia Stan 11. Explaining Country Differences Lavinia Stan
Sulfonylurea-Binding Sites and ATP-Sensitive K+ Channels in α-TC Glucagonoma and β-TC Insulinoma Cells

α-Cells secrete glucagon in a fuel-dependent fashion. We tested the hypothesis that α-cells contain sulfonylurea- and ATP-sensitive K+ channels. We studied two clonal lines of α-TC cells (simian virus 40 T-antigen induced glucagonoma cells) and for reference purposes, similarly transformed β-TC insulinoma cells. α-TC cells each contained ∼3000 high-affinity binding sites for the sulfonylurea [3H]glyburide. Whole-cell ATP- and tolbutamide-sensitive K+ currents of α-TC and β-TC cells, relative to cell surface area, were comparable. In cell-attached membrane patches of α-TC cells, two types of K+ channels were observed. They had slope conductances of ∼63 and 33 pS when the electrode contained 151 mM K+. Tolbutamide and diazoxide decreased and enhanced, respectively, the open probability of these channels. The membrane of α-TC cells depolarized periodically. This electrical activity was inhibited by diazoxide. A physiological mixture of amino acids enhanced glucagon release, and high glucose partially inhibited this release. Tolbutamide also enhanced glucagon release, whereas diazoxide inhibited it. Thus, α-TC glucagonoma cells contain ATP-sensitive K+ channels that regulate glucagon release, yet allow inhibition of hormone release by glucose.
The cisterna chyli and thoracic duct in pigs (Sus scrofa domestica)

Anatomical variations of the thoracic duct course are common in humans and domestic animals. They are important in thoracic surgery and in application of surgical techniques in experimental animals. The pig is a frequently used animal model due to numerous similarities between human and porcine anatomy and physiology. We revealed the position of the cisterna chyli, and the origin, course and termination of the thoracic duct by fine dissection on fifteen Yorkshire pig carcasses. The pigs were 2.5 months old with a body mass range from 10 to 15 kg. In this study we present our macroscopic observations. The cisterna chyli and thoracic duct had a common position, form and course in ten (67%) specimens. Anatomical variations of the precardiac course of the thoracic duct were observed in five animals (33%). Knowledge of these anatomical features should enhance the use of swine as an experimental model.