Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The UK public’s perceptions on the issue of the dog overpopulation problem and people’s willingness to pay (WTP) for a humane stray dog management.

The present study surveyed a UK representative sample of 500 individuals and employed the Choice Experiment (CE) to elicit the UK public’s views on the management of stray dogs and people’s willingness to pay (WTP) to reduce the current euthanasia rate. The results revealed that people have an emotional bonding with companion animals and are willing to pay to reduce the current euthanasia rate. According to the findings the UK public believes that the current stray dog management of euthanizing unhomed dogs is of grave or moderate concern and appears to be keen on the imposition of welfare-improving policies such as dog licensing, compulsory micro-chipping, etc. In addition, the CE investigated people’s willingness to pay (WTP) on a monthly basis to extend the current stray dog seven day statutory period in order to reduce the euthanasia rate. By constructing two payment methods, those of a Voluntary Contribution and of a Mandatory Council Tax Charge the study revealed that people are willing to pay £5.83 per month for small cross/mixed breed dog under the Voluntary Contribution regime and £2.14 per month for a young dog under the Mandatory Council Tax Charge regime.
A Prospective and Controlled Clinical Trial on Stromal Vascular Fraction Enriched Fat Grafts in Secondary Breast Reconstruction

Background. Fat grafting is a tremendous tool in secondary breast reconstruction. Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) enriched fat grafts have been presenting promising results regarding volume maintenance. Methods. We developed a method that produces a superior SVF enrichment rate (2 : 1) in the operating theatre. This prospective and controlled trial analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively fat grafts with (stem cells group, SG) and without (control group, CG) SVF enrichment in secondary breast reconstruction, through MRI-based volumetry, immunophenotyping, and cell counting. Also, patient satisfaction, aesthetic outcomes, and complications were analyzed. Results. Volumetric persistence in the SG was 78,9% and 51,4% in the CG; however it did not reach statistical significant difference. CD90 was the only marker highly expressed in the SG and showed a positive correlation with volumetric persistence (r = 0.651, p = 0.03). Fat necrosis occurred in 4 patients in the SG and in none in the CG. Patients in the CG showed a trend to be more satisfied. Considering aesthetics, both groups presented improvements. No locoregional recurrences were observed. Conclusions. Results are encouraging despite the fact that SVF enrichment in a higher supplementation rate did not improve, with statistical significance, fat graft volumetric persistence. Enriched fat grafts have proven to be safe in a 3-year follow-up.
Effect of Chromium(VI) Toxicity on Enzymes of Nitrogen Metabolism in Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.)

Heavy metals are the intrinsic component of the environment with both essential and nonessential types. Their excessive levels pose a threat to plant growth and yield. Also, some heavy metals are toxic to plants even at very low concentrations. The present investigation (a pot experiment) was conducted to determine the affects of varying chromium(VI) levels (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg chromium(VI) kg−1 soil in the form of potassium dichromate) on the key enzymes of nitrogen metabolism in clusterbean. Chromium treatment adversely affect nitrogenase, nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, glutamine synthetase, and glutamate dehydrogenase in various plant organs at different growth stages as specific enzyme activity of these enzymes decreased with an increase in chromium(VI) levels from 0 to 2.0 mg chromium(VI) kg−1 soil and 4.0 mg chromium(VI) kg−1 soil was found to be lethal to clusterbean plants. In general, the enzyme activity increased with advancement of growth to reach maximum at flowering stage and thereafter decreased at grain filling stage.
Agrobacterium rhizogenes-transformed roots of Medicago truncatula for the study of nitrogen-fixing and endomycorrhizal symbiotic associations.

Medicago truncatula, a diploid autogamous legume, is currently being developed as a model plant for the study of root endosymbiotic associations, including nodulation and mycorrhizal colonization. An important requirement for such a plant is the possibility of rapidly introducing and analyzing chimeric gene constructs in root tissues. For this reason, we developed and optimized a convenient protocol for Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation of M. truncatula. This unusual protocol, which involves the inoculation of sectioned seedling radicles, results in rapid and efficient hairy root organogenesis and the subsequent development of vigorous "composite plants. " In addition, we found that kanamycin can be used to select for the cotransformation of hairy roots directly with gene constructs of interest. M. truncatula composite plant hairy roots have a similar morphology to normal roots and can be nodulated successfully by their nitrogen-fixing symbiotic partner, Sinorhizobium meliloti. Furthermore, spatiotemporal expression of the Nod factor-responsive reporter pMtENOD11-gusA in hairy root epidermal tissues is indistinguishable from that observed in Agrobacterium tumefaciens-transformed lines. M. truncatula hairy root explants can be propagated in vitro, and we demonstrate that these clonal lines can be colonized by endomycorrhizal fungi such as Glomus intraradices with the formation of arbuscules within cortical cells. Our results suggest that M. truncatula hairy roots represent a particularly attractive system with which to study endosymbiotic associations in transgenically modified roots.
Semantic Content Generation Framework for Game Worlds

As virtual worlds in games become larger and more detailed, the need for rich, interactive content to realistically populate these worlds becomes greater. Content is expensive and slow to create manually and does not scale once created. Procedural content generation offers an attractive alternative for providing this content. There are several methods for generating different types of content including terrain and some types of organisms. However, these methods are hard to control and can give inconsistent results. A method of providing a high level, semantic context to such procedural methods may offer a potential solution. Such an approach may also allow manually created content to be placed appropriately and in a scalable manner in the world. Finally, semantic knowledge may be used to annotate content to allow greater interactivity and improved AI. This paper suggests such a method. Making use of semantic networks for storing knowledge about the potential content of the virtual world and using stateful graph traversal algorithms to convert the semantic knowledge into concrete instances, this method supports the procedural generation of rich complex content for virtual worlds.
Joint Channel-Aware and Queue-Aware Scheduling Algorithm for Multi-User MIMO-OFDMA Systems with Downlink Beamforming

In this paper, a radio resource allocation and scheduling algorithm for multi-user MISO-OFDMA systems with downlink zero-forcing beamforming is proposed to efficiently support the diverse quality of service (QoS) requirements of heterogeneous services. According to the channel state information (CSI) and the queue state information (QSI), the proposed algorithm dynamically assigns subcarriers and selects the users on the same subcarrier. The goal of the algorithm is to maximize the system throughput by fully exploiting multiuser diversity gain in space, time, and frequency domain while guaranteeing the QoS for real time (NT) services and non-real time (NRT) services with minimum data rate requirement. From the system level simulation, it shows that the proposed algorithm significantly improves the system performances.
Effect of Thermally Induced Deformation in a Supersonic Combustion Facility

Nastran and ANSYS finite element analysis (FEA) and Wind-US computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solvers are used to simulate the effect of thermal deformation on the reacting flow developing within the University of Virginia (UVa) Supersonic Combustion Facility (SCF). A detailed thermalstructural model is developed to resolve the temperature distribution and the resulting structural deformation taking place within the scramjet engine flowpath. The predicted thermal deformation is used to refine the CFD model and produce a new set of results for direct comparison with experiment during both ramjet and scramjet modes of operation. Improved agreement between CFD and experiment is afforded by including the thermal deformation effect. The sensitivity of key choices for structural constraints is also evaluated.
Link from Organizational Financial Performance to Reputation: The Role of Board Composition

This research seeks to investigate the effects of organizational financial performance, managerial board composition on organizational reputation. Especially, it further explores the moderating influence of managerial board composition on the causal relationship between organizational financial performance and organizational reputation. A survey of 150 best publicly listed firm-year observations in Vietnam discovered that companies that achieve improved organizational financial performance could maintain and enhance their organizational reputation. It also revealed that firms where the majority of independent executives are in the managerial board often obtain better organizational reputation. The findings found out that at firms with the majority of independent executives in the board, their organizational financial performance would play a more vital role in maintaining and improving their organizational reputation. This research provides a comprehensive overview of the roles of organizational financial performance and the composition of directorial boards in building up and developing organizational reputation. This allows business managers to make better decisions on the proportion of independent executives in their managerial board, so achieve better organizational financial performance and then obtain higher organizational reputation.
Aqueous two‐phase system‐mediated antibody micropatterning enables multiplexed immunostaining of cell monolayers and tissues

Conventional immunostaining methods consume large quantities of expensive antibodies and are limited in terms of the number of antigens that can be detected from a single sample. In order to achieve multiplexed immunostaining, we micropatterned antibodies using aqueous two‐phase systems (ATPS) formed from polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran. Multiple antigens can be detected on a single fixed sample by incorporating antibodies within dextran solutions, which are then patterned by micropipetting at specific sites on the sample in a solution of PEG. The antibodies are retained within the dextran phase due to biomolecular partitioning, allowing multiple protein markers to be visualized simultaneously by way of chromogenic, chemiluminescent, or immunofluorescent detection. This aqueous two‐phase system‐mediated antibody micropatterning approach allows antibody dilutions to be easily optimized, reduces the consumption of expensive primary antibodies and can prevent antibody cross‐reactions, since the antibodies are retained at separate sites within the dextran microdroplets.
ERβ and ERα Differentially Regulate NKT and Vγ4+ T-cell Activation and T-regulatory Cell Response in Coxsackievirus B3 Infected Mice.

OBJECTIVES Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) induced myocarditis is sex dependent with males developing more severe disease than females. Previous studies had shown that sex-associated hormones determine the sex bias with testosterone and progesterone promoting myocarditis while estrogen (E2) is protective. There are two major estrogen receptors: estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ). The goal of the current study was to determine the relative role of these receptors to myocarditis susceptibility and the mechanism of their action. METHODS Female C57Bl/6 wild-type mice and C57Bl/6 mice deficient in ERα, or ERβ were infected intraperitoneally with 102 plaque forming units CVB3. After 7 days, hearts were evaluated for virus titers by plaque forming assay and myocardial inflammation. Lymphoid cells either from the spleen or infiltrating the heart were characterized by labeling with antibodies including CD4, CD25, FoxP3, IFNγ, IL-4, CD11b, CD1d, Vγ4, TCRβ, or with CD1d-tetramer and evaluated by flow cytometry. To confirm that signaling through distinct estrogen receptors controlled myocarditis susceptibility and T-regulatory cell response, male C57Bl/6 mice were treated with the ERα-specific agonist, propyl pyrazole triol (PPT), ERβ agonist, diarylpropionitrile (DPN), or 17-β-estradiol (E2) as a non-specific estrogen receptor agonist. RESULTS Myocarditis, cardiac virus titers, and CD4+ Th1 (IFNγ) bias were increased in infected ERαKO and decreased in infected ERβKO mice compared to C57Bl/6 controls. CD4+Th1 bias and myocarditis severity correlated inversely with numbers of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells which were decreased in ERαKO and increased in ERβKO mice. Increased T-regulatory cells corresponded to a preferential activation of natural killer T (NKT) cells in ERβKO mice. Male C57Bl/6 mice treated with DPN showed increased myocarditis while those treated with PPT and E2 showed decreased myocarditis corresponding to either decreased (DPN) or increased (PPT/E2) T-regulatory cell responses in male C57Bl/6 mice. DPN and PPT treatment had no effect on T-regulatory cell responses in NKT KO or γδKO mice. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that ERα and ERβ both modulated CVB3 myocarditis susceptibility but in opposite directions and that their predominant effect is mediated through their ability to alter NKT and Vγ4+ innate T cell responses in the infected host. It is these innate T cells which positively or negatively modulate T-regulatory cell responses.
Analyze line roughness sources using power spectral density (PSD)

As device size continues to shrink, stochastic-induced roughness of resist features exposed by photolithography is of increasing concern to the semiconductor industry. In this paper, we propose an end-to-end approach for line roughness analysis by using the Line Roughness Module from our CDU solution family, which is a part of HMI’s metrology SEM tool the eP5. Simulated Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of line/space patterns are used to verify the ability of the Module to reliably extract roughness related metrics. A set of imec EUV ADI images collected on our metrology SEM tool are analyzed by the Line Roughness Module, and wafer signature maps of various roughness metrics are obtained. These wafer maps not only help to analyze different roughness contribution sources, but also provide insights about feature roughness in a systematic way. Such information can be further used in a feedback loop to the scanner for model correction and process control.
Modification of the association between obesity and lethal prostate cancer by TMPRSS2:ERG.

BACKGROUND TMPRSS2:ERG is a hormonally regulated gene fusion present in about half of prostate tumors. We investigated whether obesity, which deregulates several hormonal pathways, interacts with TMPRSS2:ERG to impact prostate cancer outcomes. METHODS The study included 1243 participants in the prospective Physicians' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1982 and 2005. ERG overexpression (a TMPRSS2:ERG marker) was assessed by immunohistochemistry of tumor tissue from radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, measured on average 1.3 years and 5.3 years before diagnosis, respectively, were available from questionnaires. Data on BMI at baseline was also available. We used Cox regression to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 12.8 years, 119 men developed lethal disease (distant metastases or prostate cancer death). Among men with ERG-positive tumors, the multivariable hazard ratio for lethal prostate cancer was 1.48 (95% CI = 0.98 to 2.23) per 5-unit increase in BMI before diagnosis, 2.51 (95% CI = 1.26 to 4.99) per 8-inch increase in waist circumference before diagnosis, and 2.22 (95% CI = 1.35 to 3.63) per 5-unit increase in BMI at baseline. The corresponding hazard ratios among men with ERG-negative tumors were 1.10 (95% CI = 0.76 to1.59; P interaction = .24), 1.14 (95% CI = 0.62 to 2.10; P interaction = .09), and 0.78 (95% CI = 0.52 to 1.19; P interaction = .001). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that obesity is linked with poorer prostate cancer prognosis primarily in men with tumors harboring the gene fusion TMPRSS2:ERG.
A technique for duty-cycle prediction using the next change-in current and error

A duty-cycle prediction technique for current mode digital control DC-DC converter is presented. An equation for a duty-cycle prediction is derived using the correlation between the estimated change-in instantaneous current and the present sampling error. A small-signal model is used as the control design model for the voltage-loop control. The voltage-loop control provides the controlled reference for the current-loop control. Unlike the previous prediction technique, the instantaneous inductor current is not assumed to reach the reference value within one or two sampling periods. Also, the previous value is not included in this prediction technique, but the estimated future value. With this technique, high frequency switching noise appears on the inductor current waveform can be reduced significantly. Both the simulation and the experimental results are presented to evaluate the idea. This technique can be applied for other DC-DC converters.
The genus Pulvinaria Targioni Tozzetti, 1866 (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae) with special regard to Pulvinaria hydrangeae Steinweden, 1946 as a newly recorded species in the fauna of Croatia.

This paper deals with the scale insects Pulvinaria floccifera (Westwood, 1870), Pulvinaria hydrangeae Steinweden, 1946 and Pulvinaria vitis (Linnaeus, 1758) which were monitored during a four year faunistic investigation (2005–2008) of the genus Pulvinaria Targioni Tozzetti, 1866 in Croatia. P. hydrangeae is a newly recorded species in Croatia. Distribution (according to the UTM coordinate system) and host plants of these species in Croatia are reported. Some morphological characteristics useful to separate these three species are also given.
Parameter calibration using meta-algorithms

Calibrating an evolutionary algorithm (EA) means finding the right values of algorithm parameters for a given problem. This issue is highly relevant, because it has a high impact (the performance of EAs does depend on appropriate parameter values), and it occurs frequently (parameter values must be set before all EA runs). This issue is also highly challenging, because finding good parameter values is a difficult task. In this paper we propose an algorithmic approach to EA calibration by describing a method, called REVAC, that can determine good parameter values in an automated manner on any given problem instance. We validate this method by comparing it with the conventional hand-based calibration and another algorithmic approach based on the classical meta-GA. Comparative experiments on a set of randomly generated problem instances with various levels of multi-modality show that GAs calibrated with REVAC can outperform those calibrated by hand and by the meta-GA.
Total, insoluble and soluble dietary fibre intake in relation to blood pressure: the INTERMAP Study

Abstract Prospective cohort studies have shown inverse associations between fibre intake and CVD, possibly mediated by blood pressure (BP). However, little is known about the impact of types of fibre on BP. We examined cross-sectional associations with BP of total, insoluble and soluble fibre intakes. Data were used from the INTERnational study on MAcro/micronutrients and blood Pressure (INTERMAP) study, including 2195 men and women aged between 40 and 59 years from the USA. During four visits, eight BP, four 24 h dietary recalls and two 24 h urine samples were collected. Linear regression models adjusted for lifestyle and dietary confounders to estimate BP differences per 2 sd higher intakes of total and individual types of fibre were calculated. After multivariable adjustment, total fibre intake higher by 6·8 g/4184 kJ (6·8 g/1000 kcal) was associated with a 1·69 mmHg lower systolic blood pressure (SBP; 95 % CI −2·97, −0·41) and attenuated to −1·01 mmHg (95 % CI −2·35, 0·34) after adjustment for urinary K. Insoluble fibre intake higher by 4·6 g/4184 kJ (4·6 g/1000 kcal) was associated with a 1·81 mmHg lower SBP (95 % CI −3·65, 0·04), additionally adjusted for soluble fibre and urinary K excretion, whereas soluble fibre was not associated with BP. Raw fruit was the main source of total and insoluble fibre, followed by whole grains and vegetables. In conclusion, higher intakes of fibre, especially insoluble, may contribute to lower BP, independent of nutrients associated with higher intakes of fibre-rich foods.
Nanotoxicology—A Pathologist’s Perspective

Advances in chemistry and engineering have created a new technology, nanotechnology, involving the tiniest known manufactured products. These products have a rapidly increasing market share and appear poised to revolutionize engineering, cosmetics, and medicine. Unfortunately, nanotoxicology, the study of nanoparticulate health effects, lags behind advances in nanotechnology. Over the past decade, existing literature on ultrafine particles and respirable durable fibers has been supplemented by studies of first-generation nanotechnology products. These studies suggest that nanosizing increases the toxicity of many particulates. First, as size decreases, surface area increases, thereby speeding up dissolution of soluble particulates and exposing more of the reactive surface of durable but reactive particulates. Second, nanosizing facilitates movement of particulates across cellular and intracellular barriers. Third, nanosizing allows particulates to interact with, and sometimes even hybridize with, subcellular structures, including in some cases microtubules and DNA. Finally, nanosizing of some particulates, increases pathologic and physiologic responses, including inflammation, fibrosis, allergic responses, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity, and may alter cardiovascular and lymphatic function. Knowing how the size and physiochemical properties of nanoparticulates affect bioactivity is important in assuring that the exciting new products of nanotechnology are used safely. This review provides an introduction to the pathology and toxicology of nanoparticulates.
Non-Gaussian system identification based on improved estimation of distribution algorithm

In this paper, an improved estimation of distribution algorithm (EDA) is proposed and applied to the identification of ARMA model parameters. The system parameter identification problem is transformed into the optimization problem in high dimensional parameter space. Based on the traditional EDA algorithm, the parameters of preliminary estimation and data selection are added to improve the speed of searching and optimization precision. Because the mean and the variance are not enough to describe the uncertainty of non-Gaussian system, the entropy is regarded as fitness value to achieve the parameter identification of non-Gaussian system. Finally, an example of improved EDA identification is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.