Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A generic method for determining the up/down orientation of text in Roman and non-Roman scripts

This paper presents a method for determining the up/down orientation of text in a scanned document of unknown orientation. The method analyzes the "open" portions of text blobs to determine the direction in which the open portions face. By determining the respective densities of blobs opening in a pair of opposite directions (e.g., right or left), the method can establish the direction in which the text as a whole is oriented. We first discuss the orientation of Roman text based on the asymmetry in the openness of Roman letters in the horizontal direction. For non-Roman text such as Pashto and Hebrew, we determine a direction that is the most asymmetric, and therefore the most useful for orientation, given a training dataset. This direction is then used for orientation. This work can be used for automated orientation of mail, checks in ATM envelopes, and scanned, copied, or faxed documents.
Environmentally friendly dyeing of Silk fabrics Using Microwave Heating

A B S T R A C T Silk fabrics were dyed with natural coloring matter extracted from Saffron (Crocus sativus) using a traditional and microwave heating methods. Factors affecting the dyeing properties such as dye extracted quantity, dye concentration, pH values, temperature and duration of dyeing bath were studied. Environmentally friendly pre-treatment with chitosan were used instead of mordant. Color strength (K/S) values was measured for dyed Silk fabrics. The fastness properties including light, washing, and perspiration of dyed fabrics were assessed. The dye extraction and Color strength (K/S) of Silk fabrics indicate that microwave heating is more effective than traditional heating. Other additional features about microwaves are economical (saving time and energy), eco-friendly, and produce a higher dye uptake as compared to conventional techniques. The results show also good fastness properties. It is necessary to promote non-polluting natural dyes, which involve inexpensive equipment and small-scale operations. The exploration of natural dyes can be environmentally and economically viable. Our aim is to show the feasibility of providing high-quality natural dyes extracted from plants, this improving our environment and giving opportunities to the fabric industry to catch up with the current consumer trends towards more aesthetic fabrics with natural products.
[Endovascular therapy and arterial bypass for subclavian artery occlusion].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of endovascular therapy and artery bypass for subclavian artery occlusion disease and to explore a suitable therapeutic procedure. METHODS Thirty-nine patients with subclavian artery occlusive disease received endovascular therapy or arterial bypass from June 1997 to May 2004. Twenty-seven endovascular stenting were performed on 26 patients through the femoral artery (n = 14) or combined brachial artery (n = 12). Retrograde endovascular balloon angioplasty and stent placement were performed on 12 patients. Eight subclavian arteries were punctured with ultrasound localization. On account of unsuccessful stenting, 13 cases received arterial bypass. In addition, endovascular stenting were performed on 9 cases with carotid or vertebrarterial stenoses. RESULTS The blood pressure difference was less than 10 mm Hg between the treated and the healthy arms in all 39 patients. The ratio of healthy/diseased side of the mean blood pressure index increased from 0.62 +/- 0.11 preoperatively to 0.98 +/- 0.04 postoperatively (P < 0.01). The mean patency time for endovascular therapy and arterial bypass was (57.6 +/- 3.7) and (60.2 +/- 7.2) months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Both endovascular therapy and arterial bypass have good curative effect for subclavian artery occlusion. Endovascular therapy is the preferred treatment for subclavian artery occlusion with mini-trauma and safety.
A GSM BASED INTELLIGENT WIRELESS MOBILE PATIENT MONITORING SYSTEM

Monitoring one’s heart rate and body temperature continuously from a remote area is impossible for a medical expert by using typical monitoring devices. To overcome this problem we can implement a GSM based system using microcontroller and LM35 sensor which is low-cost and use-friendly. Here, a heart beat sensor is used to detect the heart rate and an LM35 sensor to sense the body temperature. These signals are processed by a PIC microcontroller. Then, an SMS alert will be sent to the medical expert by using a GSM module. Thus, doctors can monitor the health condition of a patient continuously from a remote place and can suggest the patient about taking an immediate remedy. As a result, we can save many lives by providing them a quick service using this system.
Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) Orders in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and purpose Do-not-resuscitate orders may be associated with poor outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage because of less active management. Aims We sought to characterize the practice of issuing do-not-resuscitate orders in intracerebral hemorrhage. We also aimed to identify possible differences in care according to do-not-resuscitate status. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of all consecutive intracerebral hemorrhage patients admitted to the Meilahti Hospital of the Helsinki University Central Hospital between January 2005 and March 2010. Data obtained from medical records allowed comparison of characteristics of patients and care of do-not-resuscitate and non-do-not-resuscitate patients as well as patients with early (within 24 h) and late (>24 h) do-not-resuscitate decisions. Logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with do-not-resuscitate decisions. Results Of our 1013 patients, a do-not-resuscitate order was issued in 368 (35%), of which 262 (73%) occurred within 24 h from admission. Advanced age (odds ratio 1.06 per year; 95% confidence interval 1.04–1.08), more severe stroke (1.09 per National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale point; 1.06–1.13), and deterioration soon after admission (5.12, 3.33–7.87) had the strongest associations with do-not-resuscitate decisions. Patients with do-not-resuscitate orders received recommended care including stroke unit care (43% vs. 64%; P < 0.001) and prophylaxis for deep venous thrombosis (45% vs. 54%; P = 0.027) less often than non-do-not-resuscitate patients. This was especially the case when the do-not-resuscitate order was issued early. Conclusions In addition to confirming the role of known intracerebral hemorrhage prognostic factors in do-not-resuscitate decision-making, our results demonstrate that do-not-resuscitate orders led to less active care of intracerebral hemorrhage patients.
Use of Strategic Self-Monitoring to Enhance Academic Engagement, Productivity, and Accuracy of Students With and Without Exceptionalities

This study investigated the effects of a strategic self-monitoring intervention (i.e., ACT-REACT) on the academic engagement, nontargeted problem behavior, productivity, and accuracy of students with and without disabilities. Seven boys and two girls of elementary age who received their educational services in two different inclusive classrooms participated in this investigation. The students were taught to use the ACT-REACT strategy during independent math/reading seatwork. ACT-REACT is a combined self-monitoring of attention and self-monitoring of performance intervention designed to help chronically disengaged students take control of their learning. A multiple-baseline-across-subjects design with an embedded reversal indicates that ACT-REACT was an effective strategy for fostering self-management and enhancing the academic performance of students with differing needs in inclusive classrooms.
The Heterogenous Logit Model

Probabilistic choice systems in the generalized extreme value (GEV) family embody two restrictions not shared by the covariance probit model. First, the unobserved components of random utility are homoscedastic across individuals and alternatives. Second, the degree of similarity among alternatives is also assumed to be constant across individuals. This paper considers extensions to models in the GEV class which relax these two restrictions. An empirical application concerning the demand for cameras is developed to demonstrate the potential significance of the heterogenous logit model.
Embryotrophic Factor-3 from Human Oviductal Cells Affects the Messenger RNA Expression of Mouse Blastocyst1

Abstract Our previous results showed that embryotrophic factor-3 (ETF-3) from human oviductal cells increased the size and hatching rate of mouse blastocysts in vitro. The present study investigated the production of ETF-3 by an immortalized human oviductal cell line (OE-E6/E7) and the effects of ETF-3 on the mRNA expression of mouse embryos. The ETF-3 was purified from primary oviductal cell conditioned media using sequential liquid chromatographic systems, and antiserum against ETF-3 was raised. The ETF-3-supplemented Chatot-Ziomek-Bavister medium was used to culture Day 1 MF1 × BALB/c mouse embryos for 4 days. The ETF-3 treatment significantly enhanced the mouse embryo blastulation and hatching rate. The antiserum, at concentrations of 0.03–3%, abolished the embryotrophic effect of ETF-3. Positive ETF-3 immunoreactivity was detected in the primary oviductal cells, OE-E6/E7, and blastocysts derived from ETF-3 treatment. Vero cells (African Green Monkey kidney cell line), fibroblasts, and embryos cultured in control medium did not possess ETF-3 immunoreactivity. The mRNA expression patterns of the treated embryos were studied at the blastocyst stage by mRNA differential display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR). The DDRT-PCR showed that some of the mRNAs were differentially expressed after ETF-3 treatment. Twelve of the differentially expressed mRNAs that had high homology with cDNA sequences in the GenBank were selected for further characterization. The differential expression of seven of these mRNAs (ezrin, heat shock 70-kDa protein, cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIIa-L precursor, proteinase-activated receptor 2, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2β, cullin 1, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen) was confirmed by semiquantitative RT-PCR. In conclusion, immortalized oviductal cells produce ETF-3, which influences mRNA expression of mouse blastocyst.
Antibody Imprint of a Membrane Protein Surface

Structural features of the integral membrane protein flavocytochrome b (Cyt b) were discovered using an antibody “imprint” of the Cyt bsurface. Amino acid sequences were selected from a random nonapeptide phage-display library by their affinity for the monoclonal antibody 44.1 binding site, which recognizes the native conformation of the p22 subunit of Cyt b. Transferred nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy and rotating frame Overhauser effect spectroscopy NMR were used to study the antibody-bound conformation of a synthetic peptide derived from phage-displayed sequences. The NMR data supported the phage-display analysis suggesting the existence of a complex epitope and allowed the modeling of the close spatial proximity of the epitope components 29TAGRF33 and183PQVNPI188 from discontinuous regions of p22. Although these regions are separated by two putative membrane-spanning domains and are 150 residues apart in the sequence, they appear to combine to form a complex epitope on the cytosolic surface of the transmembrane protein. NMR constraints, measured from the antibody-bound conformation of a composite peptide mimetic of the Cyt b epitope, and one constraint inferred from the phage-display results, were used to demonstrate the close proximity of these two regions. This information provides a low resolution view of the tertiary structure of the native discontinuous epitope on the Cytb surface. Given additional antibodies, such imprint analysis has the potential for producing structural constraints to help support molecular modeling of this and other low abundance or noncrystallizable proteins.
Pharmacological and Functional Characterization of Endothelin Receptors in Bovine Trabecular Meshwork and Ciliary Muscle

To clarify the potential role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, the endothelin receptors expressed in bovine trabecular meshwork (TM) and ciliary muscle (CM) were identified. TM and CM strips were subjected to ET-1 as well as to specific endothelin receptor antagonists. In both tissues BQ123, a specific ET-A receptor antagonist, substantially inhibited ET-1-induced contraction. BQ788, a specific ET-B receptor antagonist, showed only moderate effects. Both ET receptor types were detected in bovine TM and CM using Western blot analysis. ET-1 produced an increase in intracellular calcium in cultured TM cells. This effect was inhibited by BQ123, but not by BQ788. Thus, although both receptors are present, the ET-A receptor appears to play the predominant role in mediating contraction in both the TM and CM, while the ET-B receptor seems to contribute little to the overall ET-1 effect.
Isolated, Monitored and Controlled: Sport, Aborigines and the Protection Era

The historiography on Aboriginal sport history has grown significantly over the last four decades, but there is little scholarship on the Protection Era, and particularly on the role of sport in missions and settlements. This article examines the impact of the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act (1897) on sporting opportunities in Queensland for Aboriginal people. The Act curtailed inter-racial sport, but within the confines of missions and settlements, government officials wholeheartedly endorsed sporting activities. This article explores the gendered and racialised ideological work performed by sport in Aboriginal institutions through the public and private transcripts of the colonised and the colonisers.
MicroRNA-339-5 p inhibits colorectal tumorigenesis through regulation of the MDM 2 / p 53 signaling

Tumor suppressor p53 plays a central role in tumor suppression. To ensure its proper function, the levels and activity of p53 are under a tight regulation in cells. MicroRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that play an important role in regulation of gene expression. Recently, microRNA-339-5p has been reported to be frequently downregulated in colorectal cancer, and furthermore, its down-regulation is associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients, which strongly suggests a tumor suppressive function of microRNA-339-5p in colorectal cancer. In this study, we found that microRNA-339-5p directly represses the expression of MDM2, a key negative regulator of p53, through binding to MDM2 3’-UTR in colorectal cancer cells. Through the downregulation of MDM2, microRNA-339-5p increases p53 protein levels and functions, including p53 transcriptional activity and p53-mediated apoptosis and senescence in response to stress. Furthermore, microRNA-339-5p inhibits the migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells and the growth of colorectal xenograft tumors in a largely p53-dependent manner. Our results highlighted an important role of microRNA-3395p in suppression of colorectal tumorigenesis, and also revealed that regulating the p53 function is an important mechanism for microRNA-339-5p in tumor suppression.
Exploring the impact of diversity in heterogeneous groups on teachers' performance

Teachers' communities of practice have become an important focus in the field of teachers' tacit knowledge. This study discusses the teaching & research group learning performance between teachers from the same school (homogeneous group) and from a Web-based inter-school collaboration community (heterogeneous group). The result shows that heterogeneous group members from cross-regional, cross-age and cross-cultural have positive role on the level of group learning performance; further, it is also pointed out that diversity backgrounds and experiences of group members are the important cognitive resources for improving the performance in teachers' communities of practice.
UEGM: uncertain emotion generator under multi‐stimulus

In this paper, we introduce a novel particle filtering architecture to simulate uncertain emotion generation under multi‐stimulus, to enrich emotions for virtual characters. Particles are exploited to predict emotions by sampling possible natural emotional reactions from individuals' memories and common reactions, and the prediction is subsequently adjusted through likelihood function constructed through appraisals of the cognitive component. Thus this generation process combines the natural reactions and cognitive results of individuals' into a unified architecture. Furthermore, the expression of emotion as a communicative act is implemented by setting moral standards that an individual must obey, no matter what his or her real emotional reaction is to the stimulus. This generation and expression process is implemented with our uncertain emotion generator under multi‐stimulus system (UEGM). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulatory Effects of Novel Neurotrophin-1/B Cell-Stimulating Factor-3 (Cardiotrophin-Like Cytokine) on B Cell Function

We describe regulatory effects that a novel neurotrophin-1/B cell-stimulating factor-3 (NNT-1/BSF-3; also reported as cardiotrophin-like cytokine) has on B cell function. NNT-1/BSF-3 stimulates B cell proliferation and Ig production in vitro. NNT-1/BSF-3-transgenic mice, engineered to express NNT-1/BSF-3 in the liver under control of the apolipoprotein E promoter, show B cell hyperplasia with particular expansion of the mature follicular B cell subset in the spleen and the prominent presence of plasma cells. NNT-1/BSF-3-transgenic mice show high serum levels of IgM, IgE, IgG2b, IgG3, anti-dsDNA Abs, and serum amyloid A. NNT-1/BSF-3-transgenic mice also show non-amyloid mesangial deposits that contain IgM, IgG, and C3 and are characterized by a distinctive ultrastructure similar to that of immunotactoid glomerulopathy. NNT-1/BSF-3-transgenic mice produce high amounts of Ag-specific IgM, IgA, and IgE and low amounts of IgG2a and IgG3. Normal mice treated with NNT-1/BSF-3 also produce high amounts of Ag-specific IgE. NNT-1/BSF-3 regulates immunity by stimulating B cell function and Ab production, with preference for Th2 over Th1 Ig types.
Reply to "Comment on 'Comprehensive analysis of Si-doped AlxGa1-xAs (x=0 to 1): Theory and experiments' "

Comments on the approximations used in the calculation of donor binding energies in Si-doped ${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$As are presented. The relation of intervalley kinetic energy and the cutoff of point-charge potential in the intervalley effective-mass theory is discussed.
The effect of body weight on progression of knee osteoarthritis is dependent on alignment.

OBJECTIVE Whereas obesity increases overall loading of the knee, limb malalignment concentrates that loading on a focal area, to the level at which cartilage damage may occur. This study evaluated whether the effect of body weight on progression of knee osteoarthritis (OA) differs depending on the degree of limb malalignment. METHODS The study population comprised 228 veterans and community recruits with symptomatic knee OA (pain on most days and radiographic disease) who volunteered to participate in a natural history study and from whom baseline radiographs were obtained to assess alignment; 227 (99.6%) completed a 30-month followup. Of 403 knees assessed at baseline, 394 (97.8%) were followed up. Participants' body mass index (BMI) was assessed at each examination. The main outcome measure was progression of knee OA, defined as narrowing of the tibiofemoral joint space by 1 grade (semiquantitative scale 0-3) on radiographs of the fluoroscopically positioned knee. The association between BMI and the risk of knee OA progression was assessed after adjusting for age, sex, and limb alignment, using logistic regression and generalized estimating equations. RESULTS Of 394 knees, 90 (22.8%) showed disease progression, and limb alignment was strongly associated with progression risk. The risk of progression increased with increasing weight (for each 2-unit increase in BMI, odds ratio [OR] for progression 1.08, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.00-1.16). However, among those knees with neutral alignment (0-2 degrees ), increases in BMI had no effect on risk of progression (OR 1.00), and in those with severe malalignment (> or =7 degrees ), the effect was similarly null (OR 0.93). The effect of BMI on progression was limited to knees in which there was moderate malalignment (OR per 2-unit increase in BMI 1.23, 95% CI 1.05-1.45). CONCLUSION Although elevated BMI increases the risk of knee OA progression, the effect of BMI is limited to knees in which moderate malalignment exists, presumably because of the combined focus of load from malalignment and the excess load from increased weight. This has implications for clinical recommendations and for trials testing weight loss in those with knee OA.
The Novel 5′‐Untranslated First Exon, Exon 0H, of the Rat Estrogen Receptor Beta Gene

The multiple untranslated first exons and promoters system has been reported to be involved in the tissue‐specific expression of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in humans and rats. However, a few reports are available concerning tissue‐specific regulation of the expression of the estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) gene. To investigate the mechanism regulating the expression of the rat ERβ gene, we analyzed the structure of the 5′‐untranslated region (UTR) of the rat testicular ERβ mRNA using 5′‐rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (5′‐RACE) method. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of two isoforms of the ERβ mRNA containing distinct 5′‐UTRs. Although the 5′‐UTR of one isoform of the messages was identical to the 5′‐UTR of the previously reported ERβ cDNA, the other isoform had a novel sequence in its 5′‐UTR. Genomic analysis revealed that the 5′‐UTRs of these two mRNA isoforms originated from two distinct untranslated first exons, the previously identified exon termed “exon 0N,” and the novel exon we termed “exon 0H,” both of which were spliced onto exon 1. We termed these isoforms of the messages containing the exon 0N and exon 0H, the ERβ mRNA (0N‐1) and ERβ mRNA (0H‐1), respectively. Furthermore, the distributions of these mRNA isoforms in several rat tissues were analyzed using the reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) method. The distributions of the two mRNA isoforms differed; the ERβ mRNA (0N‐1) was widely distributed in the tissues examined, while expression of the ERβ mRNA (0H‐1) was restricted to a few tissues such as the anterior pituitary, amygdala, and some peripheral tissues. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the tissue‐specific expression of the rat ERβ gene is regulated, at least in part, by the multiple untranslated first exons system which consists of the exon 0N and exon 0H.