Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Classification of hyperspectral images based on weighted DMPS

This paper presents a classification method for hyperspectral images utilizing Differential Morphological Profiles (DMPs) which permit to include in the analysis spatial information since they can provide an estimate of the size and contrast characteristics of the structures in an image. Due to the wide variety of objects present in a scene, the pixels belonging to the same semantic structure may not have homogeneous spatial and spectral features. In addition, instead of a single peak (which can be related to a measure of the scale), multiple local maxima and multiple responses are usually observed in the DMP. In order to handle such intra-class variability, class-specific weighting functions are employed in order to differently modulate the DMP values according to the different characteristics of the land cover types. In such way, it is possible to differentiate the behaviors of the DMP for each pixel in the image according to its semantic, providing an increase of the separability of the classes. At first, a DMP computed with opening by reconstruction (DMPO) and one with closing by reconstruction (DMPC) are derived on each of the first principle components extracted from the hyperspectral image. Then, both profiles are weighted by each class-specific weighting function and concatenated in a single data structure. The constructed feature vectors are considered by a random forest classifier.
AMPA‐evoked ion influx is strongest in tangential neurons of the rat neocortical intermediate zone close to the front of the migratory stream

In addition to the classically described radially migrating neurons, embryonic cortical areas receive neurons originating from the basal ganglia. One of the migration routes is in the intermediate zone. The front of this migration moves toward the hippocampus synchronously with the edge of the dorsally extending cortical plate. We investigated whether cells close to the front have specific properties compared with those at less advanced positions. Activation of AMPA receptors in the presence of cobalt showed that a strong influx of divalent cations could be triggered in front cells by low agonist concentration, whereas the less advanced cells needed a higher concentration to incorporate detectable amounts of cobalt. As shown by in situ hybridization, this discrepancy was not due to differential expression of GluR‐2 (known to reduce permeability for divalent cations). In vivo, release of an endogenous agonist presumably affects more, or differently, the tangential cells close to the front. Developmental Dyanmics 227:416–421, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prior Experience/Knowledge as a Determinant of Performance of Women-Owned Enterprises: An Experience from Nairobi County, Kenya

Women entrepreneurs have been considered to use prior experience/knowledge as a determinant to enterprise performance. One of the questions that one is left asking is, does prior experience/knowledge determine the performance of women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi County, Kenya? A survey was carried out among the women entrepreneurs across the County. The sample comprised 158 small and medium sized women entrepreneurs. Data was subjected to computer aided statistical analysis that included descriptive statistics, ANOVA and regression techniques. The results revealed that prior experience/knowledge is indeed a determinant of performance of women-owned enterprises in Nairobi County. The Pvalue of 0.000 (Less than 0.05) implies that the model of prior experience/knowledge on performance of the enterprises is significant at 95% confidence level. It is recommended that there is need for women entrepreneurs to start enterprises in their areas of experience/expertise so as to enhance enterprise performance.
Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphism and Cancer: An Update.

BACKGROUND Vitamin D mediates its action via vitamin D receptor (VDR) and is involved in a wide variety of biological processes including regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation in normal tissue and apoptosis, and cell adhesion in tumor cells. The study of genetic variations in VDR may elucidate the association of vitamin D levels, its metabolism, and VDR polymorphism with various diseases and cancer. The association of VDR polymorphism with cancer has been reported; however, the literature lacks critical analyses of the studies in last 3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic search of PubMed database (2015 through mid-2017) was conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of this clinical arena. RESULTS Studies on the association of VDR polymorphisms FokI, BsmI, TaqI, and ApaI and cancer have suggested the involvement of VDR polymorphism in tumorigenesis. CONCLUSION The inconsistent results and lack of the studies in some cancer types warrant additional research.
The internet and information capability reduces perceived risk of internationalisation: An Australian SME perspective

The Internet has the potential to generate international market expansion and future international growth for the firm. However, internationalisation is a complex high-risk decision for the firm, especially for the resource scarce SME. The Internet can assist to reduce the perceived risk associated with strategic decisions in the internationalisation of the firm. However, it is yet to be determined what impact the Internet has on reducing the perceived risk and uncertainty associated with internationalisation. The findings indicate that the Internet’s ability to generate valued international market information through the Internet’s enhanced communication interaction gives SME’s rational analysis in international market growth decisions. In conclusion, the Internet reduces the asymmetry of information that would traditionally exist for SME’s in the internationalisation process, which in turn, reduces the perceived risk associated with the internationalisation process of the firm.
Nitric oxide increases the spontaneous firing rate of rat medial vestibular nucleus neurons in vitro via a cyclic GMP‐mediated PKG‐independent mechanism

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on the discharge rate of medial vestibular nucleus neurons (MVNn) were investigated in rat brainstem slices. The NO‐donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 200 µm) caused a marked enhancement (+36.7%) of MVNn spontaneous firing rate, which was prevented by the NO‐scavenger, carboxy‐PTIO (300 µm). The SNP effects were not modified (+37.4%) by synaptic uncoupling, suggesting that NO influences intrinsic membrane properties of MVNn rather than the synaptic input they receive. The excitatory action of SNP was virtually abolished by slice pretreatment with the soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, ODQ (10 µm), and it was mimicked (+33.1%) by the cGMP analogue 8‐Br‐cGMP (400 µm). Protein kinase G (PKG) and cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) were both excluded as downstream effectors of the NO/cGMP‐induced excitation. However, the cyclic nucleotide‐gated (CNG) channel blockers, l‐cis‐diltiazem (LCD, 100 µm) and Sp‐8‐Br‐PET‐cGMPS (100 µm), significantly reduced the firing rate increase produced by 8‐Br‐cGMP. Moreover, LCD alone decreased spontaneous MVNn firing (−19.7%), suggesting that putative CNG channels may contribute to the tonic control of resting MVNn discharge. 8‐Br‐cAMP (1 mm) also elicited excitatory effects in MVNn (+40.8%), which occluded those induced by 8‐Br‐cGMP, indicating that the two nucleotides share a common target. Finally, nested‐polymerase chain reaction assay revealed the expression of CNG channel α subunit transcript in MVNn. Our data provide the first demonstration that NO/cGMP signalling modulates MVNn spontaneous firing through a mechanism that is independent of PKG or PKA and probably involves activation of CNG channels.
High-affinity binding of Clostridium perfringens epsilon-toxin to rat brain

125I-epsilon-toxin showed high affinity to rat brain homogenates and synaptosomal membrane fractions, having single binding phases with dissociation constants (Kds) of 2.5 and 3.3 nM, respectively. Treatment of synaptosomal membrane fractions with pronase and neuraminidase lowered the binding of the labeled toxin, whereas treatment with trypsin and phospholipase C did not. Heating of the fractions resulted in a decrease in the binding of the toxin. These data suggest that interaction of epsilon-toxin with cell membranes in the brain is facilitated by a sialoglycoprotein. On the other hand, treatment of the membrane fractions with lipase resulted in complete loss of binding, suggesting that the interaction may require an appropriate lipid environment. These data suggest the presence of specific binding sites in brain tissue for epsilon-toxin.
Evaluation of tests for porcine endocarditis by latent class analysis

Endocarditis affects swine of all ages, and is regularly diagnosed during routine meat inspection. The endocardial vegetations are diagnosed macroscopically, and further diagnostic methods are rarely utilised, even though identification of the causative agent could help the farmer prevent further economic losses. Furthermore, as for other lesions found at meat inspection, it is important to regularly confirm the macroscopic diagnosis. The diagnosis of endocarditis with embolic complications leads to condemnation of the carcase, and shows that the bacteria (mainly Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae and Streptococcus suis ) are present in the herd, and may cause other diseases, such as S suis meningitis (Luque and others 1998). Since both bacteria can infect human beings, the safety of abattoir workers and consumers is also of concern. When further diagnostics are required, the most common method is bacteriologic cultivation. Histology is an alternative method. However, there is no description of the diagnostic value of histology compared with bacteriologic cultivation in porcine endocarditis. Hence, the objective was to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of histology and bacteriologic culture for porcine endocarditis. The material was collected at 11 Danish slaughterhouses during routine meat inspection (Jensen and others 2010), and sampled in two groups: Group 1 (n=117) consisted of animal hearts macroscopically diagnosed with endocarditis, and Group 2 (n=90) consisted …
Selective processing of shape-related words in women with eating disorders, and those who have recovered.

OBJECTIVES This study sought to investigate whether women with anorexia or bulimia nervosa and women who had recovered showed cognitive bias towards shape, food and adolescent issues. DESIGN A five-group analysis of variance design was used, in which the different client groups were the independent variables. The dependent variable was performance on an emotional Stroop task. METHODS Current anorexia sufferers (N = 31), current bulimia sufferers (N = 24), recovered anorexics (N = 23), recovered bulimics (N = 11) and women who had never suffered from eating disorders (N = 33) were recruited through health-care professionals, support groups and newspapers. Colour-naming times for target and comparison Stroop cards were measured. RESULTS Women currently suffering from bulimia, and women who had recovered from anorexia, were found to be more distracted by shape concerns than women who had never suffered eating disorders and women who had recovered from bulimia. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that there may be an enduring cognitive bias among women who have recovered from anorexia. This is the first study in which impairment on an emotional Stroop task has been found to persist after recovery from a clinical condition.
Expression of Fas–Fas ligand system associated with atresia in murine ovary

Summary We detected that Fas receptor (Fas) was expressed at transcriptional levels in oocytes/eggs and some granulosa cells of murine ovary, whereas, Fas ligand (FasL) was found to be strongly expressed in granulosa cells by means of in situ hybridisation. These results were supported by an indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test with anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (mAb)/FasL Ab. The lysates from granulosa cells were precipitated by anti-FasL Ab, exhibiting a specific band at 40 kDa. When zona pellucida (ZP)-free eggs were incubated with granulosa cells in vitro, apoptosis (DNA fragmentation) was induced in the eggs, as detected by the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase mediated dUTP-nick end labelling (TUNEL) method. To examine whether FasL-bearing cells can induce apoptosis in eggs expressing Fas through molecular interaction between FasL and Fas, we employed a baculovirus expression system to generate FasL on the surface of Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells. The co-incubation of eggs with Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) and FasL transfected Sf9 (Sf9–FasL) cells in vitro was performed and resulted in the induction of apoptosis in eggs as detected by the TUNEL method. Apoptosis was absent in eggs co-incubated with AcNPV-1393 transfected Sf9 (Sf9−1393) cells. Thus, ovarian atresia was suggested to be induced by molecular interaction between FasL on granulosa cells and Fas on oocytes/eggs during oogenesis.
High-performance graphene-based supercapacitors made by a scalable blade-coating approach

Graphene oxide (GO) sheets can form liquid crystals (LCs) in their aqueous dispersions that are more viscous with a stronger LC feature. In this work we combine the viscous LC-GO solution with the blade-coating technique to make GO films, for constructing graphene-based supercapacitors in a scalable way. Reduced GO (rGO) films are prepared by wet chemical methods, using either hydrazine (HZ) or hydroiodic acid (HI). Solid-state supercapacitors with rGO films as electrodes and highly conductive carbon nanotube films as current collectors are fabricated and the capacitive properties of different rGO films are compared. It is found that the HZ-rGO film is superior to the HI-rGO film in achieving high capacitance, owing to the 3D structure of graphene sheets in the electrode. Compared to gelled electrolyte, the use of liquid electrolyte (H2SO4) can further increase the capacitance to 265 F per gram (corresponding to 52 mF per cm2) of the HZ-rGO film.
SEISMIC LOSS AND LIFE-CYCLE COST ASSESSMENT FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES

Over the recent years, issues pertaining to the sustainable development of structures have come into focus. Sustainability in development takes into consideration not only the present needs, but also the ones of the forthcoming users of a building. A crucial part is the estimation of the costs related to the erection and use of the structure and finally its decomissioning. Thus, a cradle-to-grave cost estimation of a building, i.e. a complete definition of all the costs during its lifespan, is a crucial part of sustainable design and construction. In order to obtain all the pertinent costs, a critical parameter to consider is the repair and maintenance cost. This becomes very important in seismically active regions where rare events may enforce total asset loss, while the occurrence of even low-intensity events, may cause significant non-structural and building content loss. Our objective is to investigate seismic losses for low/midrise reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings of the southern of Europe and the Mediterranean where significant seismic activity is observed. As an example an actual building built in Greece in 1950’s is presented. Using state-of-art approaches allows to account for structural member losses as well as non-structural components and contents, offering a holistic view of the lifetime hazard represented by older non-ductile RC frame buildings.
Isolation and subcloning analysis of functional centromere DNA (CEN11) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae chromosome XI

We have cloned segments of yeast DNA containing the centromere XI-linked MET14 gene. This was done by selecting directly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for complementation of a met14 mutation after transformation with a hybrid plasmid DNA genomic library. Genetic evidence indicates that functional centromere DNA (CEN11) from chromosome XI is also contained on the segment of S. cerevisiae DNA cloned in pYe(MET14)2. This plasmid is maintained stably in budding S. cerevisiae cultures and segregates predominantly 2+:20- through meiosis. The CEN11 element has been subcloned in vector YRp7' on an S. cerevisiae DNA fragment 900 base pairs in length [pYe(CEN11)10]. The mitotic and meiotic behavior of plasmids containing CEN11 plus a DNA replicator (ars) indicates that the centromere DNA sequences enable these plasmids to function as true minichromosomes in S. cerevisiae.
Wavelet-Welch methodology for analysis of EEG signals of schizophrenia patients

The goal of this study was to analyze whether schizophrenia patients may exhibit distinctive sub-band EEG features from control subjects compared both at rest and during auditory stimulation periods. EEG signals of thirty schizophrenic patients and age-gender matched healthy subjects were recorded from F3 left frontal region and analyzed using wavelet decomposition and Welch power spectral density (PSD) methods. Results show that PSD of all EEG sub-bands in patients was higher than that of control subjects during all periods of the experiment. Moreover, auditory stimuli evoked a significant decrease of Welch PSD of beta activity of EEG data in both groups. However, no significant change was found between stimulation periods in schizophrenia group. This methodology can be used to analyze EEG signals of schizophrenia patients to reach discriminative features between patients and controls.
Morphological and histological aspects of 2,4-D effects on rape explants [Brassica napus L. cv. Kana] cultured in vitro

The effect of different durations of exposure to 2,4-D on hypocotyls and cotyledons cultured in vitro was studied in Brassica napus L. cv. Kana. Organogenesis or callogenesis depended on the duration of explant exposure to MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid). Short treatment (1 and 3 days) with 2,4-D resulted in rhizogenesis on hypocotyls (100% and 98% of explants, respectively) and cotyledons (80% and 54% of explants, respectively). Adventitious shoots formed sporadically, with the highest frequency (14% of explants) on hypocotyls cultured 3 days on MS supplemented with 2,4-D and then transferred to hormone-free medium. Histological analysis clearly indicated that the basal part of hypocotyls is involved in root formation and callus production, and the apical part for shoots. Meristematic sites originated from groups of cells in the cortex layer (including cells of the endoderm), but the procambium, phloem and pericycle also showed meristematic activity. The present study indicated that the response of explants cultured on media containing 2,4-D at constant concentration depends on the duration of explant exposure to growth regulator.
Optical near field spectral analysis of single metal nanoparticles

The scattering and absorption properties of ellipsoidal geometry (spheres, rods, and disks) metal nanoparticles using modified long wavelength approximation method (MLWA) is presented. The validity of this technique is verified by comparison to the exact solution (Mie theory). For spherical particles, up to 16-nm diameter of gold and 8-nm diameter of silver, we confirm that our approach yields an exact correspondence with Mie theory, and gives an approximation error of less than 15% for gold and silver particles with diameters approaching 40nm and 18nm respectively. For core/shell particles by varying the relative dimensions of core and shell, the optical resonance of these nanoparticles can be precisely and systematically varied over a broad region ranging from the near-ultraviolet to the mid-infrared. These making core/shell nanoparticles attractive as functional materials for many applications. A model for core/shell nanoparticles is presented to investigate shell thickness effects and gives an approximation error of less than 9.49% for silica-gold particles with diameters approaching 36–40 nm.
Business Process Design: Correlates of Success and Failure

This article summarizes 75 organizational change efforts that had business process design (BPD) as an objective. BPD was found to be a common type of organizational change and usually occurred in combination with other types of change. The success rate for process design was low. Success was more likely when the sponsors were perceived to be mid-level rather than senior executives. BPD was most often undertaken because of cost trends, product problems, process control issues, customer complaints and suggestions, and competition. Statistical data were most often cited to describe successful process design, while unsuccessful change efforts were usually described by opinions. Success correlated most highly with the variables that reflected employee needs, leadership, and project management. Failure correlated most strongly with ineffective leadership and the clash with the existing culture. Success factors and barriers for cultural change resembled the profile for other types of organizational change. The author derived seven implications for managing process design and implementation and discussed difficulties in comparing this study with other research efforts to identify factors that facilitate or inhibit process design.
Latent Factor Model for User Preferences and Prediction of TV Program in IPTV Environment

Over the past decade, recommendation system has become a popular tool for supporting consumers who are deluging with their choices. Especially, many movie and TV program recommendation systems are available both in markets and research institutes. Nevertheless, those systems are not exploited deeply enough to find the user preferences together with user biases to predict effectively user evaluation of the recommended movies or TV programs. Thus, our work in this paper aims to explore the way to integrate user history of viewing, user evaluation and user bias in TV programs to build the model for recommendation system in IPTV environment. We propose a novel recommendation model which can generate list of programs that user will potentially want them with the highest possibly assessment. The proposed method is implemented by the approach of the latent factor model.
THE ‘MOON MAPPING’ PROJECT TO PROMOTE COOPERATION BETWEEN STUDENTS OF ITALY AND CHINA

Abstract. The research project ‘Moon Mapping’ has been established in 2014 between the Italian and Chinese Governments to promote cooperation and exchange between undergraduate students from both countries. The operational phase of the project started in early 2015, and will end in 2017, for a total length of three years. The main aim is to train new scholars to be able to work on different kinds of remotely-sensed data collected over the Moon surface by the Chinese space missions Chang’E-1/2. The project coordination has been assigned to the Italian Space Agency for the Italian side and to the Center of Space Exploration, China Ministry of Education, for the Chinese side. Several Chinese universities and Italian national research institutes and universities have been officially involved in this project. Six main research topics have been identified: (1) map of the solar wind ion; (2) geomorphological map of the Moon; (3) data preprocessing of Chang’E-1 mission; (4) map of element distribution; (5) establishment of 3D digital visualization system; and (6) compilation and publication of a tutorial on joint lunar mapping.