Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Persistence of DNA damage in the freshwater mussel Unio pictorum upon exposure to ethyl methanesulphonate and hydrogen peroxide

An important endpoint in assessing pollution‐related toxicity is genotoxicity. To obtain insight into the time‐course of oxidative‐ and alkylation‐induced DNA damage in the freshwater mussel, Unio pictorum, mussels were exposed for 24 hr to concentration gradients of pro‐oxidant hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and a mono‐functional alkylating agent, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). DNA damage was assessed in haemocytes immediately upon exposure and over the recovery period of up to 72 days by means of comet and micronucleus assays. Following exposure to H2O2, DNA damage as detected by the comet assay returned to control values after one day, except for the mussels exposed to the highest dose when damage was detectable for the next 3 days. In contrast, alkylation‐induced DNA damage was detectable even after 72 days of recovery in de‐chlorinated water, with a dose‐response relationship observable throughout the whole recovery period. Micronucleus frequency was the highest on Day 3 after exposure to EMS; it decreased considerably by Day 7 and returned almost to the control levels 19 days after exposure, while no significant induction of micronuclei was observed in mussels exposed to H2O2. Although the comet assay is considered a biomarker of recent genotoxic exposure, detecting DNA damage of shorter longevity than with the micronucleus assay, results presented here show that in the case of alkylation damage the comet assay reveals genotoxic exposure of U. pictorum in a dose‐dependent manner even after 2 months. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
AAOIFI governance standards: Sharia disclosure and financial performance for Islamic banks

The uniqueness of Islamic banks (IBs) is shown through compliance with Islamic law (Sharia) which is approved through Sharia Supervisory Board (SSB) and presented for stakeholders by Sharia Supervisory Board Report (SSBR). This study seeks to achieve three main objectives as follows: (1) it identifies the degree of IBs’ transparency in compliance with Sharia and their commitment with the governance standards that issued by Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI); (2) it aims to measure the impact of adoption AAOIFI on the degree of Sharia disclosure; and (3) it seeks to test the economic consequences of Sharia disclosure based on its impact on financial performance. We analyse content of annual reports and websites of 120 IBs across 20 different countries for year 2016. Regression analysis shows compliance level for Sharia disclosure based on our index for SSBR is 53% with higher level compliance for IBs that apply AAOIFI standards comparing with banks that adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Therefore, adopting AAOIFI has a positive effect on enhancing the degree of Sharia disclosure. Moreover, Sharia compliance has a positive influence on financial performance based on both Returns on Assets (ROA) and Tobin’s Q as a robustness test. This study adds value to Islamic accounting literature by being a primary study. There is a lack of research on the topic and this paper measures the consequences of Sharia disclosure over the financial performance of IBs as well as the role of Islamic standards (AAOIFI) in enhancing the image of Islamic banks through supporting their compliance with Sharia.
Relationship Between the DSM-5 Anxious Distress Specifier and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Anxiety/Somatization Factor

Abstract We examined the association between the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) approach to classifying depressed patients into anxious and nonanxious subgroups and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) anxious distress specifier subtyping. Two hundred two depressed patients were interviewed with semistructured diagnostic interviews. Patients were rated on the 17-item HAMD and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and completed the Clinically Useful Anxiety Outcome Scale. Both approaches toward identifying anxiety in depressed patients resulted in most of the patients meeting the anxiety subtype. Both subtyping methods were significantly correlated with clinician-rated and self-report measures of anxiety, and scores on the anxiety scales were higher in the patients who met the anxious subtype. However, DSM-5 anxious distress subtyping was only marginally associated with the HAMD anxiety/somatization factor subtyping approach (k = 0.21), and dimensional scores were only moderately correlated (r = 0.50). These findings indicate that the DSM-5 and HAMD approaches toward identifying an anxious subtype of depression are not interchangeable.
Socio-influences of user generated content in emerging markets

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the influencing characteristics of user-generated content over perceived structure of social platforms to plan various business practices to improve the social commerce activities especially in emerging markets. Design/methodology/approach In first step, key factors are identified from the systematic literature studies and experts’ opinion. Second, total interpretive structural modeling is used to interpret the complexity of relationships among various factors. Further, fuzzy-MICMAC analysis is used to determine the most driving factors to improve the social commerce. Findings The study illustrates hierarchical relationships that can help policy designers, business leaders and decision makers to gain maximum benefits of mining the user-generated content to implement the people-oriented changes to improve economic capability of a country. Research limitations/implications The applicability of the study findings can be deployed mostly in emerging economies. The study has not considered the data security, cyberbullying, authenticity and reliability of shared content spread virally over social sites. Practical implications The paper will assist policy makers, business planners and solution providers to give importance to public-led influencing patterns to offer business solutions based on people demand and choices. Social implications The customers’ engagement, sharing reviews, getting suggestions from other people and finding new trends through user-generated content would enable higher social commerce activities. Originality/value The paper develops hierarchical relationships to represent the advancements in business and marketing activities based on influencing patterns and behavior of users over social sites.
High-Contrast Polysilicon Grating Reflectors Implemented in a Standard Bulk CMOS Line

A high-index-contrast grating (HCG) reflector is implemented in the polysilicon gate of a standard bulk CMOS for the first time. A transverse-electric (TE) preferred CMOS HCG reflector allows a >90% peak reflectivity, a 100-nm reflection bandwidth, and a 1.64:1 TE/transverse-magnetic polarization ratio, which is limited by the thin field oxide layer between the HCG and the silicon substrate, resulting in optical leakage to the substrate. Remarkable improvements in peak reflectivity (close to 100%) and polarization ratio (10:1) are achieved by removing the substrate of HCG devices. Guided-mode resonance reflection in HCGs is further verified by the corresponding transmission dips and is predicted by the rigorous coupled-wave analysis simulations.
A fully integrated inductor-based 1.8-6-V step-up converter

To the authors knowledge, this is the first time that a paper demonstrates the feasibility of a fully integrated step-up converter based on inductive elements. The prototype is fabricated in the ST M8 0.18-/spl mu/m process, uses a supply voltage of 1.8 V, and provides an output mean voltage of about 6 V at 10 k/spl Omega/ resistive load with a 60-MHz external clock frequency.
FWLBP: A Scale Invariant Descriptor for Texture Classification

In this paper we propose a novel texture recognition feature called Fractal Weighted Local Binary Pattern (FWLBP). It has been observed that fractal dimension (FD) measure is relatively invariant to scale-changes, and presents a good correlation with human perception of surface roughness. We have utilized this property to construct a scale-invariant descriptor. We have sampled the input image using an augmented form of the local binary pattern (LBP), and then used an indexing operation to assign FD weights to the collected samples. The final histogram of the descriptor has its features calculated using LBP, and its weights computed from the FD image. The proposed descriptor is scale, rotation and reflection invariant, and is also partially tolerant to noise and illumination changes. In addition, it is also shown that the local fractal dimension is relatively insensitive to the bi-Lipschitz transformations, whereas its extension is able to correctly discriminate between fundamental texture primitives. Experimental results show the proposed descriptor has better classification rates compared to the state-of-the-art descriptors on standard texture databases.
Evaluation of Sustainable Factors in the Chinese Construction Process

Abstract: The building sector plays a key role in the global economic, social and environment development. The energy consumed during construction and operation processes accounts for around 40% of the global energy use. China is the largest developing country and its construction market is one of the largest markets in the world. Although the construction phase occupies only a short period over the entire life cycle of a building, it is still an essential aspect of the process. However, in China, the concept of green construction remains scarcely known amongst construction industry members. Green construction continues to experience a disparity in the Chinese construction industry. Â Therefore, the aim of this study is to appraise the concept of green construction in the Chinese construction industry and to consider how it could be applied in most Chinese construction projects.
Correction for “ Peptide vaccines prevent tumor growth by acti-vating T cells that respond to native tumor antigens , ” by Kimberly

IMMUNOLOGY Correction for “Peptide vaccines prevent tumor growth by activating T cells that respond to native tumor antigens,” by Kimberly R. Jordan, Rachel H. McMahan, Charles B. Kemmler, John W. Kappler, and Jill E. Slansky, which appeared in issue 10, March 9, 2010, of Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (107:4652–4657; first published January 26, 2010; 10.1073/pnas.0914879107). The authors note that due to a printer’s error on 4653, left column, second full paragraph, the third sentence is incorrect in part. “Peptides 15 and wavelength of maximum fluorescence (WMF) prevented tumor growth in few or no mice (considered nonprotective); peptides 39 and F1A5 prevented tumor growth in 60 and 90% of the mice, respectively (considered protective)” should read: “Peptides 15 and WMF prevented tumor growth in few or no mice (considered nonprotective); peptides 39 and F1A5 prevented tumor growth in 60 and 90% of the mice, respectively (considered protective). ” Additionally, Figs. 1, 3, and 4 appeared incorrectly. The corrected figures and their legends appear below. The online and printed versions have been corrected.
REnal Flow and Microstructure AnisotroPy (REFMAP) MRI in Normal and Peritumoral Renal Tissue

Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) provides insight into the pathophysiology underlying renal dysfunction. Variants of DWI include intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), which differentiates between microstructural diffusion and vascular or tubular flow, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), which quantifies diffusion directionality.
Network Firewall using Artificial Neural Networks

Today's most common firewalls are mostly rule-based. Their knowledge consists of a set of rules upon which they process received packets. They cannot do anything they have not been explicitly configured to do. This makes the system more straightforward to set up, but less flexible and less adaptive to changing circumstances. We will investigate a network firewall whose rule-base we will try to model using an artificial neural network, more specifically using a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) trained by the back-propagation algorithm. The training data are acquired from the network and we consider two possible scenarios. In Scenario 1, the user has no firewall available and the policy is deduced from the existing traffic in the network which is considered to be legitimate. In Scenario 2, the learning module is placed behind the existing firewall (or firewalls) in order to learn their behavior. In both cases, all traffic, which is recorded, contains only positive examples; however, a direct training of a MLP from a set of positive examples is impossible. We solved this problem using a synthetic generation of negative examples which led to successful learning.
Driver's Arms' Time-Variant Neuromuscular Admittance During Real Car Test-Track Driving

Attempts to measure and model driver steering behavior have been so far mainly performed with driving simulators and time-invariant techniques. The goal of this paper was to quantify the driver's arms' time-variant admittance in real driving and to provide a range of parametrically fitted values on the estimated frequency response functions. The human arms' neuromuscular (NMS) admittance was estimated by applying torque disturbances on the steering wheel during real car test-track driving. To capture the time-variant behavior, the admittance was estimated using a 1.28-s sliding time window. The results showed that drivers adapt their admittance while cornering, exposing a variant behavior during different corners and driving speeds. The frequency response function (FRF) of the admittance while cornering has the properties of a second-order system. During cornering, drivers have increased stiffness values, whilst in straight driving, the FRFs resemble a second-order system ( -40 dB/decade gain drop; double pole at low frequencies) for low frequencies, with a zero for frequencies above 6 Hz (on average). The FRFs during cornering were parametrically fitted to a second-order inertia-spring-damper model. The fitted parameter values can be used for NMS driver models and motivate the stability analysis of the combined closed-loop driver steering system.
Universal ground-state properties of free fermions in a d-dimensional trap

The ground-state properties of N spinless free fermions in a d-dimensional confining potential are studied. We find that any n-point correlation function has a simple determinantal structure that allows us to compute several properties exactly for large N. We show that the average density has a finite support with an edge, and near this edge the density exhibits a universal (valid for a wide class of potentials) scaling behavior for large N. The associated edge scaling function is computed exactly and generalizes to any d the edge electron gas result of Kohn and Mattsson in d = 3 (Kohn W. and Mattsson A. E., Phys. Rev. Lett., 81 (1998) 3487). In addition, we calculate the kernel (that characterizes any n-point correlation function) for large N and show that, when appropriately scaled, it depends only on dimension d, but has otherwise universal scaling forms, at the edges. The edge kernel, for higher d, generalizes the Airy kernel in one dimension, well known from the random matrix theory.
Combining statistical and finite-state methods for machine translation

La traduccion automatica es un campo muy activo de las tecnologias del lenguaje natural que ha experimentado un fuerte desarrollo en las ultimas decadas, Las tecnicas que se han puesto en marcha podrian clasificarse, de manera un tanto simplista, en tecnicas "basadas en el conocimiento", que utilizan informacion aportada por expertos linguistas, y tecnicas "basadas en ejemplos", que extraen la informacion automaticamente a partir de corpus de texto. El trabajo de esta tesis se enmarca en la seguna familia de tecnicas, las basadas en ejemplos. Nos hemos centrado en el uso de un modelo en particular: el de los transductores estocasticos de estados finitos. Este modelo (y otros parecidos) se utiliza en muchas areas de las tecnologias del lenguaje y con finalidades diferentes. Nosotros lo utilizamos aqui para la traduccion entre lenguas distintas. La tesis aborda el problema de la creacion de transductores estocasticos de estados finitos a partir de muestras de traduccion. Estas muestras consisten en pares de frases en idiomas diferentes en los que una frase es traduccion de la otra. Por un lado, aportamos varios algoritmos para la estimacion de la parte probabilistica de los transductores, sobre el supuesto de que se conoce ya la estructura. Por otro lado, y como contribucion fundamental del trabajo, se expone un metodo y un conjunto de algoritmos para inferir transductores (con estructura y probabilidades) a partir de muestras, que agrupamos bajo las siglas genericas de GIATI (por el ingles, Grammatical inference algorithms. Esta memoria presenta una primera exposicion teorica de estos algoritmos, y continua con un estudio practico de implementacion en el que se exploran diferentes formas de poner en uso GIATI. Se presentan tambien estudios experimentales de traduccion que ponen de manifiesto las posibilidades reales de aplicacion de estas tecnicas.
Ischemia‐induced angiogenesis: role of inflammatory response mediated by P‐selectin

P‐selectin is a 140‐kDa glycoprotein expressed on endothelial cells and platelets. P‐selectin mediates the tethering and rolling of leukocytes along the endothelium, an early step of leukocyte extravasation. Although inflammation is a requisite process for ischemia‐induced angiogenesis, little is known regarding the role of P‐selectin in angiogenesis in the setting of tissue ischemia. We examined whether ischemia‐induced angiogenesis is altered in P‐selectin knockout (P‐selectin−/−) mice. Angiogenesis was evaluated n a surgically induced hind‐limb ischemia model using laser Doppler blood flowmetry (LDBF) and histological capillary density (CD). After left hind‐limb ischemia, the ischemic/normal limb LDBF ratio was persistently lower in P‐selectin−/− mice compared with wild‐type (WT) mice. CD was also significantly lower in P‐selectin−/− mice than in WT mice on Postoperative Day 14. Fewer numbers of total CD45+ inflammatory leukocytes infiltrated into the ischemic tissues in P‐selectin−/− mice than in WT mice, and immunohistochemical analysis revealed the number of infiltrated leukocytes expressing vascular endothelial growth factor was also decreased in P‐selectin−/− mice. P‐selectin mRNA expression was augmented after hind‐limb ischemia in WT mice. In conclusion, P‐selectin may play an important role in ischemia‐induced angiogenesis by promoting early inflammatory mononuclear cell infiltration. P‐selectin would become one possible target molecule for modulating inflammatory angiogenesis.
Experimental study of a THz band double-beam gyrotron

In this paper, we present the preliminary results of an ongoing experimental study of a novel double-beam gyrotron, which has been designed to operate in CW regime on the second harmonic of the cyclotron resonance with a frequency of 0.79 THz. A number of fundamental and second harmonic modes can be excited in the frequency range 0.3–0.8 THz. The observed output power levels of the order of several tens watt are available at the second harmonic of cyclotron resonance for application of this tube as a powerful radiation source for a high-field 1.2 GHz, proton DNP-NMR spectroscopy.
The number of retrieved oocytes does not decrease during consecutive gonadotrophin-stimulated IVF cycles.

BACKGROUND Our aim was to study whether there is a decreasing trend in the number of retrieved oocytes in women who had all undergone at least seven consecutive IVF cycles. METHODS A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted among women whose first IVF cycle was stimulated with gonadotrophins in The Netherlands between 1983 and 1995. Among these eligible women, we identified all women who had received at least seven consecutive IVF cycles (n = 330). Poisson regression analysis was used to assess the trend in the number of retrieved oocytes over the first six IVF cycles. RESULTS The unadjusted results showed a slight but non-significant decrease in the number of retrieved oocytes over six IVF cycles. The change in cycle 6 compared with cycle 1 was -0.06 oocytes (5.8% decrease) (P = 0.21). When adjusting for the number of ampoules and the stimulation protocol (fertility drug used combined with use of GnRH agonists), there was a considerable and highly significant decrease from cycle 1 to cycle 6 [change in cycle 6 compared with cycle 1: -0.19 oocytes (17.4% decrease), (P < 0.0001)]. However, when adjusting for age of the women, this decrease almost completely disappeared [change in cycle 6 compared with cycle 1: -0.05 oocytes (5% decrease), (P = 0.50)]. CONCLUSION The results suggest that there is no decrease in the number of retrieved oocytes over subsequent cycles when simultaneously accounting for the increasing age of the women, differences in the number of ampoules of gonadotrophins used, type of stimulation protocol and year of IVF treatment.
Knowledge networks associated with the production of natural resources in Latin America: A comparative analysis

The opportunities for innovation that arise from natural-resource production are associated with the formation of knowledge networks that facilitate learning both within and outside the sectors in question. This article identifies the types of knowledge networks associated with innovation activities in the natural-resource domain using four case studies from the region: the livestock sector in Argentina, the mining sector in Chile, agriculture in Paraguay and forestry in Uruguay. The results show that, in all four cases, natural-resource producers form networks in which scientific knowledge is exchanged. While these have heterogeneous characteristics in terms of the capabilities of the participants, their structure and degree of openness, all display potential to disseminate and create knowledge.
Virus movement maintains local virus population diversity

Viruses are the largest reservoir of genetic material on the planet, yet little is known about the population dynamics of any virus within its natural environment. Over a 2-year period, we monitored the diversity of two archaeal viruses found in hot springs within Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Both temporal phylogeny and neutral biodiversity models reveal that virus diversity in these local environments is not being maintained by mutation but rather by high rates of immigration from a globally distributed metacommunity. These results indicate that geographically isolated hot springs are readily able to exchange viruses. The importance of virus movement is supported by the detection of virus particles in air samples collected over YNP hot springs and by their detection in metacommunity sequencing projects conducted in the Sargasso Sea. Rapid rates of virus movement are not expected to be unique to these archaeal viruses but rather a common feature among virus metacommunities. The finding that virus immigration rather than mutation can dominate community structure has significant implications for understanding virus circulation and the role that viruses play in ecology and evolution by providing a reservoir of mobile genetic material.
An optically controllable 0.35 THz single-pixel camera for millimeter resolution imaging

We present a single detector THz imaging system with millimeter spatial resolution that operates without any mechanical movements of the detector and the THz optics. The imaging system, an optically controllable 0.35 THz single-pixel camera, is used in transmission mode to image binary targets. The typical size of the targets is several centimeters diameter and the acquisition time for such targets is less than 2 minutes. The software reconstruction of the acquired signals yields images with more than 2500 pixels, respective < 1 mm spatial resolution. As an outlook first results obtained with the camera's radar-reflection mode will be presented.