Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproduction and Resistance to Stress: When and How

Environmental and social stresses have deleterious effects on reproductive function in vertebrates. Global climate change, human disturbance and endocrine disruption from pollutants are increasingly likely to pose additional stresses that could have a major impact on human society. Nonetheless, some populations of vertebrates (from fish to mammals) are able to temporarily resist environmental and social stresses, and breed successfully. A classical trade‐off of reproductive success for potential survival is involved. We define five examples. (i) Aged individuals with minimal future reproductive success that should attempt to breed despite potential acute stressors. (ii) Seasonal breeders when time for actual breeding is so short that acute stress should be resisted in favour of reproductive success. (iii) If both members of a breeding pair provide parental care, then loss of a mate should be compensated for by the remaining individual. (iv) Semelparous species in which there is only one breeding period followed by programmed death. (v) Species where, because of the transience of dominance status in a social group, individuals may only have a short window of opportunity for mating. We suggest four mechanisms underlying resistance of the gonadal axis to stress. (i) Blockade at the central nervous system level, i.e. an individual no longer perceives the perturbation as stressful. (ii) Blockade at the level of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis (i.e. failure to increase secretion of glucocorticosteroids). (iii) Blockade at the level of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonad axis (i.e. resistance of the reproductive system to the actions of glucocorticosteroids). (iv) Compensatory stimulation of the gonadal axis to counteract inhibitory glucocorticosteroid actions. Although these mechanisms are likely genetically determined, their expression may depend upon a complex interaction with environmental factors. Future research will provide valuable information on the biology of stress and how organisms cope. Such mechanisms would be particularly insightful as the spectre of global change continues to unfold.
Extraction of Binary Character/Graphics Images from Grayscale Document Images

Abstract The extraction of binary character/graphics images from gray-scale document images with background pictures, shadows, highlight, smear, and smudge is a common critical image processing operation, particularly for document image analysis, optical character recognition, check image processing, image transmission, and videoconferencing. After a brief review of previous work with emphasis on five published extraction techniques, viz., a global thresholding technique, YDH technique, a nonlinear adaptive technique, an integrated function technique, and a local contrast technique, this paper presents two new extraction techniques: a logical level technique and a mask-based subtraction technique. With experiments on images of a typical check and a poor-quality text document, this paper systematically evaluates and analyses both new and published techniques with respect to six aspects, viz., speed, memory requirement, stroke width restriction, parameter number, parameter setting, and human subjective evaluation of result images. Experiments and evaluations have shown that one new technique is superior to the rest, suggesting its suitability for high-speed low-cost applications.
Combining beams from separated telescopes.

To use separated telescopes to achieve diffraction-limited performance over a finite field of view, the following rule must be obeyed: as viewed from a point in the focal plane, beams from separated telescopes must be recombined so that they appear to be coming directly from a single large telescope which has been masked so as to reproduce exactly the ensemble of collecting telescopes. This condition leads to constraints and tolerances which are of central interest in multiple-beam telescope systems.
Identification and enzyme quantitation of the stages of the seminiferous epithelial wave in the rat

Based on differences in light absorption the stages of the rat seminiferous epithelial wave were identified by a transillumination technique. The most marked difference was encountered in the boundary between stages VIII and IX where the mature spermatozoa are released into the tubular lumen. Other characteristic transitions were observed between stages VI and VII as well as stages XII and XIII. All stages could be divided into four major, easily recognizable zones. Within the zones the stages could be identified with an accuracy of ± 1 stage. The characteristic changes take place in the tubular center and are due to the development of the acrosome in the spermatid. The acrosome appears to contain material with a strong light absorption capacity.
AzaGly‐Appended Peptidomimetics Structurally Related to PTR6154 as Potential PKB/Akt Inhibitors

We report the synthesis and biological and physiochemical properties of a series of azaGly‐appended peptidomimetics. We have developed a simple and facile synthesis for azapeptides on solid support without any side reaction. The azaGly is inserted by in situ reaction of disuccinimidyl carbonate with free amine followed by treatment of hydrazine hydrate at room temperature. The new series of peptidomimetics was prepared by azaGly scanning of heptapeptide Arg‐Pro‐Arg‐Nle‐Tyr‐Dap‐Nle (Akt‐01), a GSK‐3β‐derived Akt inhibitor. The azaGly‐appended peptides showed significant improvement in biological activity and serum stability, with retention of conformation as evidenced by NMR and CD studies. The results clearly demonstrate that azaGly‐appended peptides are new peptidomimetics. Their synthesis makes this approach highly useful for the development of novel peptidomimetics of therapeutic potential.
Formation of Sn-multiwalled carbon nanotube composite layer for the application of thermal interface materials

Fabrication of Sn-MWCNT composite layer through reflow of Sn-decorated MWCNT powder was conducted in this study. Commercially available MWCNTs were oxidized by using K2Cr2O7 / H2SO4 solution for the surface modification. The oxidized MWCNTs were dispersed in SnCL / HCl solution and subsequently a reducing agent NaBH4 was introduced to form crystalline Sn. During the Sn reduction process, 1,10-phenanthroline capping agent was introduced to control the particle shape and size. It was found that SnO2 nanoparticles on the surface of MWCNTs and crystalline Sn particles were obtained simultaneously through the chemical reduction reaction. When 1,10-phenanthroline was used, Sn particles had spherical shape and uniform size compared to the one without 1,10-phenanthroline. Afterwards, the Sn-MWCNT powders were mixed with a flux to form a paste for a wetting test on a Cu substrate. After a reflow step of the paste, Sn-MWCNT composite layer could be formed showing no separation between MWCNTs and Sn by bonding of molten Sn to SnO2 nanoparticles on the surface of MWCNTs.
Immunogenicity of therapeutics: a matter of efficacy and safety

Importance of the field: The unwanted immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins is a major concern regarding patient safety. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and clinical efficacy can be seriously affected by the immunogenicity of therapeutic proteins. Authorities have fully recognized this issue and demand appropriate and well-characterized assays to detect anti-drug antibodies (ADAs). Areas covered in this review: We provide an overview of the immunogenicity topic in general, the regulatory background and insight into underlying immunological mechanisms and the limited ability to predict clinical immunogenicity a priori. Furthermore, we comment on the analytical testing approach and the status-quo of appropriate method validation. What the reader will gain: The review provides insight regarding the analytical approach that is expected by regulatory authorities overseeing immunogenicity testing requirements. Additionally, the factors influencing immunogenicity are summarized and key references regarding immunogenicity testing approaches and method validation are discussed. Take home message: The unwanted immunogenicity of protein therapeutics is of major concern because of its potential to affect patient safety and drug efficacy. Analytical testing is sophisticated and requires more than one assay. Because immunogenicity in humans is hardly predictable, assay development has to start in a timely fashion and for clinical studies immunogenicity assay validation is mandatory prior to analyzing patient serum samples. Regarding ADAs, the question remains as to when such antibodies are regarded of clinical relevance and what levels are, if at all, acceptable. In summary, the detection of ADAs should raise the awareness of the physician concerning patient safety and of the sponsor/manufacture concerning the immunogenic potential of the drug product.
ESTIMATION OF MASS ABSORPTION COEFFICIENTS BY COMPTON SCATTERING : IMPROVEMENTS AND EXTENSIONS OF THE METHOD

Methods are described which extend the usefulness of a previously published method for determining the mass absorption coefficient (p) by means of Compton scattering. The original method was restricted to (1) rocks and minerals of intermediate atomic number, and (2) analysis of trace elements whose analytical line is of shorter wavelength than that of the absorption edge of the heaviest matrix element. Mass absorption coefficients can be determined for low atomic number matrices by the use of a long wavelength primary radiation, such as CrKa (Ryland, 1964). Values of p for high atomic number matrices can be measured if a yttrium oxide filter is used to absorb interfering MoKo radiation. The relation between p at 0.9A and the reciprocal intensity of the Compton-scattered MoKa indicates that p values can be measured, with an error of less than 3 percent, for materials whose mean atomic number is as high as CuO. Appropriate values for p can be computed for regions on the long wavelength sides of major element absorption edges by the use of a series of simultaneous equations in terms of (1) the mass absorption coefficient at 0.9A, (2) the intensities of the Ka lines of the matrix elements, (3) published data on the rate of change of p, for each matrix element, with respect to wavelength, and (4) the major element analysis of a standard. Data are given for Fe, Mn, Ti, and V in several different matrices. Overall errors appear to be positive, and amount to 2 to 10 percent,
The potential use of raman mapping to investigate in vitro deposition of combination pressurized metered-dose inhalers

Scanning near-infrared Raman microscopy has been used to map aerosol particulate deposits produced from pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDI). A commercially available combination asthma therapy pMDI (Ventide, Allen and Hanbury, UK), containing salbutamol and beclometasone dipropionate, was analyzed by conventional in vitro quantitative analysis and scanning Raman microscopy. Raman maps, taken from Andersen cascade impactor plate stages 3 and 5 (over 100 × 100 μm areas) suggested good correlation with chemical analysis of the respective stages. Scanning Raman microscopy allows visual differentiation between formulation components (not possible using conventional imaging techniques), while potentially allowing chemical quantification.
Failure of All-ceramic Fixed Partial Dentures in vitro and in vivo: Analysis and Modeling

Hertzian cone cracks visible at the loading site of 20 all-ceramic fixed partial dentures (FPDs), tested in vitro, led to the hypotheses that failure was due to the propagation of localized contact damage crack systems (Hertzian stress state) and that such damage was an unlikely clinical failure mode. Fractographic analysis of the 20 laboratory-failed and nine clinically-failed all-ceramic FPDs allowed for definitive testing of these hypotheses and a comparison between in vitro and in vivo failure behavior. In all cases, failure occurred in the FPD connectors (none from contact damage), with approximately 70 to 78% originating from the interface between the core and veneer ceramics. The coincidence between failure origins provides strong evidence that the in vitro test modeled aspects of structural behavior having clinical importance. The fractographic observations, coupled with the in vitro failure load data, furnished very specific boundary conditions which were applied to constrain mathematical models of FPD connector failure. Finite element analysis (FEA) of the laboratory FPDs found that maximum principal tensile stresses would occur at locations consistent with the fractographic observations only if: (1) there were appropriate elastic moduli differences between the ceramics; and (2) a small amount of abutment rotation was allowed. Weibull failure probability (Pf) calculations, incorporating FEA stress profiles, very closely replicated the laboratory failure distribution only when: (1) the veneer ceramic was much weaker than the core ceramic; and (2) the Weibull modulus of the core-veneer interface was much lower than that for the free veneer surface (i.e., the interface is of lower quality with regard to defects). This combined fractographic and mathematical analysis of FPD connectors suggests that the core-veneer interface is an important failure source and that the veneering ceramic overwhelmingly controls load-bearing capability. Observations from failed clinical restorations provided critical guidance in validating a laboratory test and focusing a mathematical failure model.
A Disruption-Tolerant Model for Building a Mobile Application Using Web Service

Problem statement: The emerging technology in broadband telecommunication and mobile devices has increased the use of mobile applications. However, the use of mobile application is affected with low bandwidth or disrupted broadband telecommunication due to building blockage or out of coverage area. Approach: We proposed a Disruption-Tolerant Mobile Application Model (DTMA) that enables remote data access and overcomes constraint due to dysfunctional telecommunication. The interview process of Educational Service Officer at the Malaysian Educational Service Commissioner (MESC) is selected as the case study. Design of the mobile application is based on the Smart Client and wireless Internet application concepts. The main components of the model are mobile devices with its own processing power, data storage, business logic and Web service. These features enable the application to become disruption-tolerant, which can be run even when communication line is not available or disrupted. In order to prove that the proposed model is effective, a prototype based on the DTMA model is developed and evaluated. Results: The prototype is known as Mobile Interview Information System (MIIS) and it was developed using Visual Basic and . Net’s programming language in . NET Framework. Visual Studio is used as the platform. Users have performed MIIS testing and DTMA usability assessment in a real environment. The test showed that MIIS based on the DTMA model is disruption-tolerant. MIIS enables information to be accessed and updated even in a disrupted network. MIIS also enables information to be accessed and transmitted from or to the MESC’s headquarter via mobile devices. Further, MIIS enables the interview process to be implemented in a more efficient manner without any disruption. Conclusion: Mobile application developed based on the proposed DTMA model was proved to be disruption tolerant. Such application can save time, operational cost and improve the business process in terms of data integrity, mobile access and high availability.
Photophysics in Motionally constrained Bioenvironment: Interactions of Norharmane with Bovine Serum Albumin ¶

Steady‐state photophysics of norharmane (NHM), a bioactive alkaloid, has been studied in the presence of a model transport protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). The emission spectrum undergoes a remarkable change upon addition of BSA to the aqueous solution of NHM in buffer. Addition of BSA leads to a marked increase in the fluorescence anisotropy of the neutral species of NHM, although the fluorescence anisotropy for the cationic species is almost invariant to BSA addition, suggesting that the neutral species is located in a motionally restricted environment of BSA, whereas the cationic species remains in the bulk aqueous phase. The binding constant (K) and free energy change (ΔG) for the probe‐protein binding have been calculated from the fluorescence data. Light has been thrown on the action of urea on protein‐bound NHM. The denaturation study suggests that the protein, in its native form, binds with NHM. Polarity of the microenvironment around the probe has been determined from a comparison of the fluorescence properties of the two prototropic species of NHM in water‐dioxane mixture with varying composition.
A Direct Digital Synthesiser with 100MHz Output Capability

A bipolar direct digital synthesiser with 5kHz to 100MHz output capability is described. Channel spacing is 5kHz with a `hop' time between discrete output frequencies of less than 17ns. Spurious output rejection is better than -32dbc, and close-to-carrier measurements indicate a noise floor lower than -130dbc at +/- 25KHz.
Bias of feedback cancellation algorithms based on direct closed loop identification

An adaptive filter can be used to cancel the undesired acoustic feedback of hearing aids. The adaptive algorithm studied in this paper uses the output and input signal of the hearing aid to continuously track the acoustic feedback path. The bias of the optimal estimate with a quadratic norm is analyzed. The results show the importance of having a good model of the input signal to the hearing aid, as the error in this model will introduce bias in the estimate of the feedback path.
On Finding Maximum Disjoint Paths for Many-to-One Routing in Wireless Multi-Hop Network

Provisioning multiple paths can improve fault tolerance and transport capability of multi-routing in wireless networks. Disjoint paths can improve the diversity of paths and further reduce the risk of simultaneous link failure and network congestion. In this paper we first address a many-to-one disjoint-path problem (MOND) for multi-path routing in a multi-hop wireless network. The objective of this problem is to maximize the minimum number of disjoint paths of every source to the destination. We prove that it is NP-hard to obtain k disjoint paths for every source when k ≥ 3. To solve this problem efficiently, we propose a heuristic algorithm called TOMAN based on network flow theory. Experimental results demonstrate that it outperforms three related algorithms. key words: disjoint path, multi-routing, multi-hop, heuristic algorithm
Analysis on the Connotation,Core Factors and Their Action Mechanisms of Low-carbon Economy

Low-carbon economy is a new concept,pattern and shape of development,and its core factors are low-carbon technologies,low-carbon industries and low-carbon management system.Low-carbon technologies will promote emission reduction by mechanisms of decreasing carbon,zero carbon or absorbing carbon;low-carbon industries will promote economic low-carbon growth through replacing or transforming traditional high-carbon industries,and through diluting their emissions,while low-carbon management system will push economic low-carbon transition by mechanisms of guidance,encouragement,supervision and control.
Epidemiology and Mechanisms of Femur Fractures in Children

Abstract: The most common pediatric orthopaedic injury requiring hospitalization is a femur fracture. This study aimed to identify the epidemiology and mechanisms of injury so that these injuries might be reduced through specifically targeted safety measures. Data for this study were culled from the 2000 Kids' Inpatient Database representing over 2.5 million pediatric hospital discharges. Of the nearly 10,000 femur fractures, 1076 (11%) occurred in children younger than 2 years; 2119 (21%) in children aged 2 to 5 years; 3237 (33%) in children aged 6 to 12 years; and 3528 (35%) in adolescents aged 13 to 18 years. The most (71%) occurred in male patients. Falls and motor vehicle collisions accounted for two thirds of those injuries, with the incidence of falls greater in the younger children and motor vehicle collisions more prevalent in older children. Fifteen percent of femoral fractures in children younger than 2 years were because of child abuse. Length of hospital stay, number of diagnoses and procedures, and hospital charges were greatest in the adolescent age group, likely because of high-energy trauma with resultant polytrauma. Hospital charges were more than $222 million with the average charge over 2.5 times that in adolescents compared with infants/toddlers. Pediatric orthopaedists must continue to press for increased safety for our children, particularly adolescent motor vehicle safety. Abuse should be considered when a child younger than 2 years presents with a femoral fracture.
Lentiviral Vectors as a Gene Delivery System in the Mouse Midbrain: Cellular and Behavioral Improvements in a 6-OHDA Model of Parkinson's Disease Using GDNF

Local delivery of therapeutic molecules represents one of the limiting factors for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. In vivo gene transfer using viral vectors constitutes a powerful strategy to overcome this limitation. The aim of the present study was to validate the lentiviral vector as a gene delivery system in the mouse midbrain in the perspective of screening biotherapeutic molecules in mouse models of Parkinson's disease. A preliminary study with a LacZ-encoding vector injected above the substantia nigra of C57BL/6j mice indicated that lentiviral vectors can infect approximately 40,000 cells and diffuse over long distances. Based on these results, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) was assessed as a neuroprotective molecule in a 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease. Lentiviral vectors carrying the cDNA for GDNF or mutated GDNF were unilaterally injected above the substantia nigra of C57BL/6j mice. Two weeks later, the animals were lesioned ipsilaterally with 6-hydroxydopamine into the striatum. Apomorphine-induced rotation was significantly decreased in the GDNF-injected group compared to control animals. Moreover, GDNF efficiently protected 69.5% of the tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cells in the substantia nigra against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced toxicity compared to 33.1% with control mutated GDNF. These data indicate that lentiviral vectors constitute a powerful gene delivery system for the screening of therapeutic molecules in mouse models of Parkinson's disease.