Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stressful Work Involvement and Inherited Long QT-Syndrome

Aims: The long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an inherited cardiac disorder which predisposes the mutation carrier to ventricular arrhythmias that can lead to sudden death. The objective of the study was to study whether stressful work involvement (i.e. worrying about work and job dissatisfaction) is related to arrhythmic risk in LQTS. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study took place in Finland in 2006 for the LQTS mutation carriers and 2007 for the general Finnish population. Methodology: The study subjects included 164 symptomatic and 229 asymptomatic LQTS mutation carriers from the Finnish LQTS registry and 1368 comparison subjects randomly derived from the population-based sample, Young Finns Study (YFS). Stressful work involvement was measured with questions derived from the Framingham type A scale. Results: Upon assessment of the stressful work involvement, symptomatic LQTS Research Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 2(1): 31-38, 2012 32 mutation carriers scored higher than asymptomatic LQTS mutation carriers (1.51 vs. 1.40, p=0.003, η2=0.022) and the general Finnish population (1.51 vs. 1.39, p<0.001, η2=0.012), while asymptomatic LQTS mutation carriers did not differ from the general Finnish population in the corresponding scores (1.40 vs. 1.39, p=0.374, η2<0.001). Conclusion: The results confirm the suggestion that perceived stress, in terms of stressful work involvement, may increase the likelihood of arrhythmic events in LQTS mutation carriers. Thus, individual stress proneness may be a risk factor for LQT symptoms, which should be taken into account in counseling LQTS patients. There is previous evidence that stress proneness can be modified by behavioral therapy.
Acceptance testing of a CT scanner with a knowledge-based iterative reconstruction algorithm

Implementation of efficient computed tomography (CT) detectors, automatic exposure control and iterative reconstruction algorithms allows to obtain high quality images while minimizing absorbed dose to the patients, in consonance with the ALARA criterion. In this work, we present the results of the acceptance testing of a Philips iCT Elite scanner with the IMR reconstruction algorithm. A Catphan 500 phantom was used for this purpose. RESULTS: The laser positioning system was misaligned, while the gantry and table were aligned. The high-contrast spatial resolution was 21 lp/cm. Regarding low contrast resolution, a 3 mm pin with 0.3% contrast was observed using IMR for CTDIvol = 10.4 mGy, while a 5mm pin was observed using filtered back projection (FBP). Average uniformity was ± 3 Hounsfield Units (HU) and noise was <0.5%. It was verified that when using IMR reconstruction, the noise remained constant when the CTDIvol was reduced. Nominal and measured slice thicknesses were compared, resulting in the following values (measured/nominal): 4.82/5, 2.52/2.5, 1.24/1, 1.09/0.8. At 120 kVp, the effective energy was 70 keV. CT numbers were measured for different materials, with results in accordance with expected values. The contrast scale value resulted in 2·10 -4 cm -1 HU -1 . CONCLUSIONS: Image quality and general system’s functionality were evaluated, with satisfactory results. The results were taken as a reference for routine quality controls. The IMR reconstruction algorithm resulted in significantly improved low-contrast resolution and lower noise at low doses when compared with FBP. The impact of IMR technology on clinical images remains to be assessed.
Assessment of the Finite VolumE Sea Ice Ocean Model (FESOM2.0), Part I: Description of selected key model elements and comparison to its predecessor version

Abstract. The evaluation and model element description of the second version of the unstructured-mesh Finite-volumE Sea ice–Ocean circulation Model (FESOM2.0) is presented. The model sensitivity to arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) linear and nonlinear free surface formulation, Gent McWilliams eddy parameterisation, isoneutral Redi diffusion and different vertical mixing schemes is documented. The hydrographic biases, large scale circulation, numerical performance and scalability of FESOM2.0 are compared with its predecessor FESOM1.4. FESOM2.0 shows biases with a magnitude comparable to FESOM1.4 and it simulates a more realistic AMOC. Compared to its predecessor FESOM2.0 provides clearly defined fluxes and a three times higher throughput in terms of simulated years per day (SYPD). It is thus the first mature global unstructured-mesh ocean model with computational efficiency comparable to state-of-the-art structured-mesh ocean models. Other key elements of the model and new development will be described in following-up papers.
The Role of Contagion in the American Housing Boom

We investigate whether housing contagion, which we define as the price correlation across space between two different housing markets above and beyond that justified by common local shocks, was an important factor during the last housing cycle. Three empirical challenges are addressed: (a) defining the timing of the housing boom in a non-ad hoc way; (b) addressing specification search bias that arises when only one time series is used to define both the timing and magnitude of contagion, and (c) controlling for omitted variable bias that arises from common variation in economic conditions. Using a proprietary micro data set with the complete set of housing transactions data from 99 metropolitan areas between 1993 and 2009, we find that the elasticity of focal market price growth with respect to lagged near neighbors’ price growth is about 0.l on average. This contagion estimate is invariant to defining near neighbors by geographic or economic distance, and we find no effect outside the two closest neighbors. Contagion is strongest after a positive housing shock in the first year of the focal market’s and near neighbor’s booms. At least one-quarter of the contagion effect appears due to nonfundamental mechanisms. Finally, we find no evidence of contagion at the onset of the housing bust.
Karyological studies of some species of the genus Vicia L. (Leguminosae) in Turkey

In this study, 11 Vicia taxa naturally distributed in Turkey were karyologically studied. Chromosome numbers, karyotypes and idiograms of five taxa that belong to section Cracca of the genus Vicia (Vicia cracca subsp. gerardii, V. cracca subsp. atroviolacea, V. cracca subsp. stenophylla, V. canescens subsp. canescens, V. palaestina) and six taxa that belong to section Vicia (Vicia michauxii var. stenophylla, V. pannonica var. pannonica, V. hybrida, Vicia sativa subsp. nigra var. nigra, Vicia sativa subsp. nigra var. segetalis, Vicia sativa subsp. incisa var. cordata) were done. The chromosome numbers of these taxa were found as 2n = 10, 12, 14, 24. The chromosome numbers and karyotype analysis of five of these were reported for the first time and chromosome morphology of two taxa was identified for the first time. Also chromosome numbers of six taxa were verified. These results will contribute to the taxonomy of the genus Vicia which has a high diversity in Turkey.
Analog dithering techniques for highly linear and efficient transmitters

The current thesis is about investigation of new methods and techniques to be able to utilize the switched mode amplifiers, for linear and efficient applications. Switched mode amplifiers benefit from low overlap between the current and voltage wave forms in their output terminals, but they seriously suffer from nonlinearity. This makes it impossible to use them to amplify non-constant envelope message signals, where very high linearity is expected. In order to do that, dithering techniques are studied and a full linearity analysis approach is developed, by which the linearity performance of the dithered amplifier can be analyzed, based on the dithering level and frequency. The approach was based on orthogonalization of the equivalent nonlinearity and is capable of prediction of both co-channel and adjacent channel nonlinearity metrics, for a Gaussian complex or real input random signal. Behavioral switched mode amplifier models are studied and new models are developed, which can be utilized to predict the nonlinear performance of the dithered power amplifier, including the nonlinear capacitors effects. For HFD application, self-oscillating and asynchronous sigma delta techniques are currently used, as pulse with modulators (PWM), to encode a generic RF message signal, on the duty cycle of an output pulse train. The proposed models and analysis techniques were applied to this architecture in the first phase, and the method was validated with measurement on a prototype sample, realized in 65 nm TSMC CMOS technology. Afterwards, based on the same dithering phenomenon, a new linearization technique was proposed, which linearizes the switched mode class D amplifier, and at the same time can reduce the reactive power loss of the amplifier. This method is based on the dithering of the switched mode amplifier with frequencies lower than the band-pass message signal and is called low frequency dithering (LFD). To test this new technique, two test circuits were realized and the idea was applied to them. Both of the circuits were of the hard nonlinear type (class D) and are integrated CMOS and discrete LDMOS technologies respectively. The idea was successfully tested on both test circuits and all of the linearity metric predictions for a digitally modulated RF signal and a random signal were compared to the measurements. Moreover a search method to find the optimum dither frequency was proposed and validated. Finally, inspired by averaging interpretation of the dithering phenomenon, three new topologies were proposed, which are namely DLM, RF-ADC and area modulation power combining, which are all nonlinear systems linearized with dithering techniques. A new averaging method was developed and used for analysis of a Gilbert cell mixer topology, which resulted in a closed form relationship for the conversion gain, for long channel devices.
Non-genetic factors affecting reproductive traits in Lohi sheep

Abstract The data on breeding and performance records (3830) of 1134 Lohi ewes kept at an Institutional Livestock Experiment Station, Okara in Punjab province during the period from 1972 through 2001 were used to study the influence of some non-genetic factors such as year and season of birth/lambing, age and weight at first service sex of lamb born, birth type, age of dam on various reproductive traits. The age of ewes at first service averaged 615.6±8.2 days and was not significantly affected by the year and season of birth of the ewes. The ewes born during spring season had comparatively low (613.6±7.9 days) age at first service than autumn born (617.5±9.8 days). The type of birth did not significantly influence age at first service. The least squares mean for the weight at first service was 42.10±0.24 kg and was significantly (P<0.01) influenced by the ewe's year and season of birth. The spring-born ewes were heavier (42.3±0.3 kg) at first service than autumn-born ewes (41.9±0.3 kg). The weight at first service was also significantly affected by the age at first service. The type of birth did not significantly influence weight at first service. The number of services per conception averaged 1.29±0.03 and varied significantly (P<0.01) between seasons. The number of services per conception was higher (1.37±0.02) in ewes bred during autumn than those bred in spring (1.16±0.06). The effects of years and weight at service on the number of services per conception were non-significant. The number of services per conception significantly increased with advancing age. Mean gestation period was 152.31±0.08 days and it was significantly affected by the years and seasons of lambing and the age of the ewe at lambing. However, gestation length was not significantly affected due to birth type and sex of the lamb born.
Free-Swimming Copepod Nauplii of Narragansett Bay with a Key to Their Identification

Zooplankton surface samples were taken with a number 12 silk bolting cloth net towed by a Clark-Bumpus quantitative plankton sampler in Narragansett Bay for 12 months. The samples were collected twice weekly, except during December, January, and February, at night at one position in the West Passage of Narragansett Bay. Ten calanoid, three cyclopoid, and one harpacticoid species of free-swimming copepod nauplii were collected from July 1957 through June 1958. The structure and arrangement of elements of the caudal armatures of these copepod nauplii showed certain differences which were utilized to develop a key.
Patterns of abundance of fire ants and native ants in a native ecosystem

Abstract 1. This correlational study examines the relationship between the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) and native ants in a longleaf pine savanna. Fire ants are frequently associated with a decline in native ants throughout the invaded range, but fire ant invasion is often coupled with habitat disturbance. Invasion of fire ants into the longleaf pine savanna provides an opportunity to examine the structure of the ant community in the absence of habitat disturbance.
Cytotoxic and Antitumor Activities of Ethanolic Extracts of Salt Marsh Plants from the Lower Saxonian Wadden Sea, Southern North Sea

Twenty-eight plant species belonging to fifteen families were subjected to a screening for cytotoxic and antitumor activities with three test organisms in six bioassays. Freshly hatched larvae and four week old adults of Artemia salina LEACH are used for the detection of acute toxic activity after 6 h and chronic toxicity after 24 h. Adult Daphnia magna STRAUS were used to establish toxic activities of the extract after 48 h. Finally the potato disc assay with Agrobacterium tumefaciens was used to detect antitumor compounds. Of the screened plants, Limonium vulgare MILL. , Artemisia maritima L. and Salicornia europaea L. showed significant cytotoxic activity against Artemia salina LEACH and Daphnia magna STRAUS. Extracts of these plants also showed anti-neoplastic activities in the potato disk assay. The extracts of Ononis spinosa L. , Trifolium fragiferum L. and Trifolium repens L. showed tumor growth inhibiting activities.
Molecular Analysis of the α-Amylase Gene, AstaaG1, from Shoyu Koji Mold, Aspergillus sojae KBN1340

Aspergillus sojae generally has only one ortholog of the Aspergillus oryzae taa (α-amylase) gene. The AstaaG1 gene from a shoyu koji mold, A. sojae KBN1340, comprised 2,063 bp with eight introns. AsTaaG1 consisted of 498 amino acid residues possessing high identity to other Aspergilli α-amylase sequences. Disruption of the AstaaG1 gene resulted in no detectable α-amylase production in starch medium. Promoter activity of the AstaaG1 gene, monitored by xylanase activity, was upregulated with replacement of the CCAAT-like sequence. Site-directed mutation of the CCAAT-like sequence increased xylanase production approximately four times higher than that of the wild type. These results clearly demonstrate that the decreased copy number of the taa gene and the low affinity binding sequence to the Hap complex lead to the lower amylolytic activity of A. sojae compared to that of A. oryzae.
Maize silk antibiotic polyphenol compounds and molecular genetic improvement of resistance to corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea Boddie) in sh2 sweet corn

The flavor of sh2 super-sweet corn is preferred by consumers. Unfortunately, sh2 sweet corn has little genetic variation for insect resistance. In this paper we review the functions of two loci, p1 and a1. The P1 allele has a major role in sh2 sweet corn resistance to corn earworm, an allele that was lost in historical selection because of its pleiotropic effect on undesirable cob color and silk browning. The P1 allele has significant effects on biosyntheses of silk antibiotic compounds, maysin, apimaysin, methoxymaysin, and chlorogenic acid. The effect of a1 shows gene action for lowered maysin and significant epistatic action with p1. The dominant functional allele A1 causes anthocyanin pigments in aleurone, plant, and pericarp tissues; the recessive a1 allele causes absence of pigment in these tissues. If silk browning and cob color are critical factors for maysin production but lack the customer’s preference, then separating red cob and browning silk, which are controlled by the P1 allele, may be difficult if not impossible. One high silk maysin sh2 sweet corn germ­plasm, shrunken Zapalote Chico, has been released. There is some field corn germplasm with p1-wwr alleles, but the amount of antibiotic flavones and their potential as a donor need further investigation.
Problem Solving in Organizations: A Methodological Handbook for Business and Management Students

List of figures List of tables List of boxes Preface to the first edition Preface to the second edition Part I. Fundamentals: 1. Scope and nature of this handbook 2. Student projects 3. Problem-solving projects 4. Generic design theory 5. Using problem-solving projects to develop generic theory Part II. The Problem-solving Project: 6. Intake and orientation 7. Theory-informed diagnosis of business problems 8. Solution design 9. Change plan design and the actual change process 10. Evaluation, learning and termination Part III. On Methods: 11. Qualitative research methods 12. Searching and using scholarly literature 13. Quality criteria for research Part IV. Case Material: 14. Cases References.
Spatial distribution of dinoflagellate resting cysts in Yellow Sea surface sediments

Yellow Sea surface sediment samples collected on October 15-31, 2003 were analyzed using the palynological process to investigate the spatial distribution of dinoflagellate resting cysts. The sampling areas comprised four latitudinal transects, the northernmost of which was located off the Shandong Peninsula, China and the southernmost off Jeju Island, Korea. Each transect line was composed of six to nine stations, spanning the distance between the Chinese and Korean coasts. Twenty-five different types of dinoflagellate cysts were identified. Gonyaulax scrippsae, Alexandrium spp. (ellipsoidal type), and G. spinifera were the most dominant at all stations surveyed. Dinoflagellate cysts belonging to the Gonyaulacales comprised over 50% of all cysts collected. The latitudinal distribution trend showed that cyst concentrations along the two middle transects were much higher than those along the two northern and southern transects. Cyst concentrations in the offshore central areas reached their highest values within each transect and gradually decreased toward the Chinese and Korean coasts. Overall, cyst concentrations were markedly elevated in the offshore central Yellow Sea areas and gradually decreased outward in all four directions. This concentric cyst distribution pattern was consistent with the hydrographic features of the Yellow Sea, such as circular current systems, sedimentary properties, and water depth.
ANTIOXIDATION ACTION OF INDOLE COMPOUNDS DURING THE AUTOXIDATION OF LINOLEIC ACID

Antioxidative activity of aromatic amino acids and indole compounds for the autoxidation of linoleic acid was found to correlate in some extent with the highest occupied molecular orbital energy which represents the electron donor property of respective molecule. 5-Hydroxytryptophan, one of the best electron donor among the compounds tested, was the most effective antioxidant. However, antioxidative activity of some indole compounds could not be interpreted simply by their highest molecular orbital energies.Neither the chelating action for the possible metal traces nor the accelerated decomposition of hydroperoxide produced during the course of the reaction explained these actions of indoles. Tryptophan, while preventing the autoxidation of linoleic acid, underwent the ring cleavage at the position of between C2 and C3 or hydroxylation at C5 to yield formylkynurenine, kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine, 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, etc. Following mechanisms which were compatible with the experimental results were proposed for the antioxidative action of indoles; indole donates an electron from its π-pool to linoleic acid radical or peroxy radical produced during the autoxidation of linoleic acid to form a loose charge transfer complex through a “local” interaction; an electron transfer occurs within the complex, which brings cleavage of indole rings and an inhibition of autoxidation.
Review: Methods Used to Evaluate the Free Radical Scavenging Activity in Foods and Biological Systems

Free radical generation is directly related with oxidation in foods and biological systems. Therefore, the search for methods to determine free radical scavenging is important. In this work are described the methods used for this purpose in both substrates as well as in specific cases of their application. The main methods comprise superoxide radicals scavenging (O2 ·-); hydrogen peroxide scavenging (H2O2); hypochlorous acid scavenging (HOCl); hydroxyl radical scavenging (HO.); peroxyl radical scavenging (ROO.), among them are the methods that use azo-compounds to generate peroxyl radicals, such as the ``TRAP'' method (Total Radical-Trapping Antioxidant Parameter) and the ``ORAC'' method (Oxygen-Radical Absorbance Capacity); the scavenging of radical cation 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) or the ABTS or the ``TEAC'' method (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity); the scavenging of stable radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl or DPPH . method and the scavenging of radical cation N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine or DMPD method. At present, in spite of the diversity of methods, there is a great need to standardize measurements of antioxidant activity. The search for more specific assays, giving us chemical information that could be related directly to oxidative deterioration of foods and biological systems could be the objective of future research. La generación de radicales está'directamente relacionada con la oxidación de lípidos y sustratos biológicos, por tanto, es importante la búsqueda de métodos para la determinación del secuestro de especies radicales. En este trabajo se describen los principales métodos utilizados con este fin en ambos sustratos, así como sus aplicaciones específicas: secuestro de radicales superóxido (O2 .-), secuestro de peróxido de hidrógeno (H2O2); secuestro de ácido hipocloroso (HOCl); secuestro de radicales hidroxilo (HO.); secuestro de radicales peroxilo (ROO.), entre los que destacan los métodos que utilizan azo-compuestos para de radicales peroxilo (ROO .), entre los que destacan los métodos que utilizan azo-compuestos para la generación de radicales peroxilo, tales como el método del ``TRAP'' (Total Radical-Trapping Antioxidant Parameter) y el método del ``ORAC'' (Oxygen-Radical Absorbance Capacity); secuestro del catión radical 2,2-azinobis-(3-etilbenzotiazolin-6-sulfonato) o método del ABTS o del ``TEAC'' (Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity); secuestro del radical estable 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazil o método del DPPH . y secuestro del radical catión N,N-dimetil-p-fenilendiamina o método del DMPD. Actualmente, a pesar de la diversidad de métodos existentes, hay una gran necesidad de estandarizar estos métodos para la determinación de la actividad antioxidante. La búsqueda de métodos más específicos, que proporcionen una información química que se directamente relacionada con el deterioro oxidativo de alimentos y muestras biológicas, podría ser el objetivo de futuras investigaciones.