Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxic T-Cells From T-Cell Receptor Transgenic NOD8.3 Mice Destroy β-Cells via the Perforin and Fas Pathways

Cytotoxic T-cells are the major mediators of β-cell destruction in type 1 diabetes, but the molecular mechanisms are not definitively established. We have examined the contribution of perforin and Fas ligand to β-cell destruction using islet-specific CD8+ T-cells from T-cell receptor transgenic NOD8.3 mice. NOD8.3 T-cells killed Fas-deficient islets in vitro and in vivo. Perforin-deficient NOD8.3 T-cells were able to destroy wild-type but not Fas-deficient islets in vitro. These results imply that NOD8.3 T-cells use both pathways and that Fas is required for β-cell killing only when perforin is missing. Consistent with this theory, transgenic NOD8.3 mice with β-cells that do not respond to Fas ligation were not protected from diabetes. We next investigated the mechanism of protection provided by overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS-1) in β-cells of NOD8.3 mice. SOCS-1 islets remained intact when grafted into NOD8.3 mice and were less efficiently killed in vitro. However, addition of exogenous peptide rendered SOCS-1 islets susceptible to 8.3 T-cell–mediated lysis. Therefore, NOD8.3 T-cells use both perforin and Fas pathways to kill β-cells and the surprising blockade of NOD8.3 T-cell–mediated β-cell death by SOCS-1 overexpression may be due in part to reduced target cell recognition.
Changes in the Condition Factor Have an Impact on Metabolic Rate and Swimming Performance Relationships in Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua L.)

In the field, Atlantic cod face seasonal changes in food availability that in turn lead to changes in condition. To examine the physiological consequences of these changes in condition, we measured routine metabolic rate (RMR) to estimate standard metabolic rate (SMR), active metabolic rate (AMR), aerobic scope, critical swimming speed (Ucrit), cost of transport, sprint performance, time to exhaustion, and postexhaustion metabolic rate (EMR) for 24 Atlantic cod from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Cod were measured at their initial condition (condition factor of 0.676 ± 0.076) and after 9 wk of feeding (condition factor of 0.923 ± 0.096). These levels of condition are representative of wild cod in the Gulf of St. Lawrence during the spring and during the fall–early winter, respectively. The improved condition did not change mass‐specific SMR. However, mass‐specific AMR, aerobic scope, and EMR decreased with the improvement in condition. The various measures of swimming performance were affected differently. Ucrit increased and cost of transport at 1.3 and 1.5 body lengths s−1 decreased with improved condition, but the cost of transport at 0.3, 0.9, 1.1, 1.7, and 1.9 body lengths s−1, sprint performance, and time to exhaustion did not change. Hierarchies for the speed at first burst‐coast, the proportion of Ucrit supported by burst‐coasts, and time to exhaustion were maintained with the improvement in condition. The relationships between metabolic rates and swimming performance differed with condition level, with stronger correlations apparent in the cod at their initial condition. Given the low condition of wild cod stocks, these responses indicate that reduced performance, due to both maintenance of metabolic expenditures and modified swimming capacities, may impair survival under conditions of reduced food availability.
Multi-task learning with over-sampled time-series representation of a trajectory for traffic motion pattern recognition

This paper proposes an efficient feature sampling and multi-task learning scheme for traffic scene analysis, where all classifiers are trained simultaneously by exploiting the correlations among different motion patterns. We make feature descriptors by high dimensional embedding of the time series data for traffic pattern representation. They preserve detailed spatio-temporal information of the underlying event. Pattern specific details are extracted from raw trajectories and embedded into feature descriptors, which ensures their great discriminability. Training data scarcity problem is tackled through amplification of the patterns hidden in raw trajectory via strategic oversampling and employment of joint feature selection procedure while training the models. Experimental results on 4 surveillance datasets, show great improvement in the motion pattern recognition performance, importance of joint feature selection and fast incremental learning ability of the proposed framework.
AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)

Many prior studies on the business intelligence system (BIS) adoption stories are coming from the developed countries, while recent adoption stories on the developing countries are usually from Thailand, Singapore and Philippines. Rarely, research focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) being reported, especially from the developing countries such as Malaysia even after the introduction of BIS by Malaysia’s SME in September 2013. Since, SMEs are the primary drivers for national development in Malaysia, the research on the BIS adoption in SMEs is important to promote the resilient growth of SMEs. This study aims to study the BIS adoption theories and determinants as reported by prior researchers and propose the BIS adoption model for SME in Malaysia. The developed research model contains ten, enabling determinants covering four characteristics: technological innovation, environment, organization, and CEO. The findings revealed that out of ten determinants, only six are relevant to the decision-making in BIS adoption.
Uptake and Exudation Behavior of Perchlorate in Smartweed

Perchlorate uptake has been reported in a variety of vascular plants, but the mechanisms affecting the uptake, translocation, and exudation of ClO− 4 in plants are not well known. The uptake and transport behavior of ClO− 4 was studied in smartweed (Polygonum spp.) grown in aerated hydroponic ClO− 4 solutions with or without other common anions. Uptake followed first-order kinetics (0.017 ± 0.003 day−1) and there was no apparent competitive effect on ClO− 4 uptake for up to 500 mg L−1 of NO− 3 –N, SO2− 4, PO3− 4, or Cl−. The net ClO− 4 mass uptake was proportional to transpiration but with some exclusion of ClO− 4 from the transpiration stream. Up to 4% of the ClO− 4 in plants after a 30-d exposure to a 10-mg/L solution of ClO− 4 was exuded from the roots within 15 d after the exposure was ended. Perchlorate exudation followed first-order kinetics with a rate coefficient of 0.0018±0.0006 (day−1). Results obtained in this study indicate that evapotranspiration may be the critical variable to predict accumulation potential in plants and that phytoremediation strategies should take into account the re-release potential of ClO− 4 via exudation.
Does pigment composition reflect phytoplankton community structure in differing temperature and light conditions in a deep alpine lake? An approach using HPLC and delayed fluorescence techniques 1

In vivo delayed fluorescence (DF) and HPLC/CHEMTAX pigment analyses were used to investigate seasonal and depth distributions of phytoplankton in a deep alpine mesotrophic lake, Mondsee (Austria). Using chl a equivalents, we determined significant relationships with both approaches. Community structure derived from pigment ratios of homogenous samples was compared with microscopic estimations using biovolume conversion factors. An advantage of the HPLC/CHEMTAX method was that it gave good discrimination among phytoplankton groups when based on a pigment ratio matrix derived from multiple regression analysis. When a single algal group was dominant, such as epilimnetic diatoms or hypolimnetic cyanobacteria in the deep chl maxima, HPLC/CHEMTAX results were significantly correlated with microscopic estimations (diatoms: r = 0.93; cyanobacteria: r = 0.94). Changes in the composition of photosynthetically active pigments were investigated with DF and benefited from excitation spectra that considered all light‐harvesting pigments, which made it possible to assess the enhancement of accessory photosynthetically active pigments relative to active chl a (chl aDF672). Changes in similarity index, based on normalized DF spectra, confirmed compositional shifts observed by microscopy. At chosen wavelengths of DF spectra, 534 and 586 nm, we generally observed a significantly inverse relationship between normalized DF intensities and temperature and light along both seasonal and depth gradients. The relative increase in photosynthetically active pigments other than chl aDF672 under low light and temperature was caused by an increasing dominance of diatoms and/or phycobilin‐rich cyanobacteria and Cryptophyta. DF spectra provided a more accurate picture of community pigments acclimated to light and temperature conditions than the β‐carotene:chl a ratio derived from HPLC.
Variable high frequency voltage source for an ohmic heating process

Heating is an important step in food processing. A new method of heating uses the natural electrical resistance of the food to generate heat. In this method electrical energy is transformed into thermal energy. This kind of food heating processing operation is called ohmic heating. The rate of ohmic heating critically depends on the Electrical Conductivity of the food during the process. Reviewing a number of researches shows that the usage of direct current for ohmic heating process causes electrolyze in liquid beverages. Moreover, usage of alternating current eliminates the probability of adverse electrochemical reaction. In addition, when the frequency increases, the risk of oxidation in electrodes will decrease. In this regard, for heating different kinds and sizes of food, it is necessary to have an electrical power source with variable output voltage and frequency. This research attempts to design and simulate the variable voltage and frequency electrical power source to feed a 10 kW ohmic heating process at high frequency (10 kHz). The ohmic heating load is simulated by three-phase resistive load. According to Joulepsilas first law, the temperature in heat generation process is closely related to electrical power and time of process. Hence, in this simulation, the value of temperature is controlled by value of power that is generated by current which flows through resistive load with control of the time period and the duty cycle. Furthermore, one of the most important things to have an effective ohmic heating process is supplying the continuous current during the process. The result of this study indicated a simple method to supply a continual current for load during the ohmic heating process.
Factors Contributing to Successful Completion of a Holistic Job Skills Training Program

Job skills training programs are one way to address barriers to employment. As is important with any program that is implemented, it is important to evaluate its effectiveness. Existing literature contains several examples of job skills training programs that measure success by looking at outcomes such as employment rates post-program completion. Another way to measure success, which very few studies report, is to look at program completion rates. This study sought to fill that gap by reporting completion rates and factors that contribute to completion for a holistic job skills training program in West Texas. This study tested five variables in relation to program completion that were identified in the literature: criminal history, mental health history, substance use history, comorbidities, and social support. Findings indicated students with criminal history were less likely to complete the program. Findings further indicated there were not significant correlations between program completion and mental health, substance use, comorbidities, and social support. This topic would benefit from further research by using more reliable and valid measures of mental health, substance use, comorbidities, and social support. Although most of the findings were not significant, this study is replicable and extremely valuable as a means for evaluating the success of job skills training programs. Factors Contributing to Successful Completion of a Holistic Job Skills Training Program A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the School of Social Work Abilene Christian University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science in Social Work
Backstepping Control on SE(3) of a Micro Quadrotor for Stable Trajectory Tracking

This paper presents a back stepping controller based on SE(3) to track the desired trajectory for a quad rotor unmanned aerial vehicle. The controller consists of two parts: 1) a position control part and 2) an attitude control part. The position controller is used to track the desired Cartesian coordinates using position and velocity errors, while the attitude controller uses the rotation matrix error and body angular velocity error to stabilize attitude dynamics expressed on SO(3). Simulation results illustrate the more stable tracking performance of the proposed controller in noisy environments in comparison with geometric controller. Experimental results on a micro quad rotor show the satisfactory performance of the proposed controller.
Sensing small angle scattering with an X-ray grating interferometer

Ultra small angle scattering is a powerful tool for the study of the micro-structure of materials at a length scale below the resolution of standard x-ray detectors. Current methods like Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) are usually slow and there­fore inadequate to industrial environments. A recently developed x-ray imaging method based on the Talbot-Lau interferometer allows for the full field measurement of the refraction and local small angle scattering of the x-ray beam within the object. The method is compatible with standard x-ray tubes and as such, a good candidate for industrial implementation. In the following manuscript, we report on the use of the x-ray Talbot-Lau interferometer for the measurement of the local small angle scattering power. Two applications relevant to homeland security are presented. First, we show how the measurement of the local small angle scattering power complements the con­ventional absorption-based radiography and helps to distinguish explosives from standard fail objects. Finally, we demonstrate that information can be coded within the scattering pattern of a manufactured marker. Such marker can be placed in critical objects, such as drugs boxes or luxury goods, in order to avoid the circulation of fakes.
The effects of H-2 and non-H-2 genes on the expulsion of the nematode Trichuris muris from inbred and congenic mice

SUMMARY Two groups of H-2 congenic strains of mice were compared for their susceptibility to a primary infection with the nematode Trichuris muris. Mice of the BALB genetic background were markedly more resistant than mice of the BIO genetic background, as reflected by the rate of expulsion of T. muris from the large intestine. Within each of the two groups of H-2 congenic strains mice possessing the H-2k haplotype (BALB/k, B10.BR) were more susceptible to infection than mice expressing other haplotypes; B10 background strains expressing H-2b (B10) or H-2q (B10.G) alleles were the most resistant of the four congenic strains studied. Differential resistance was observed within three of the four BIO congenic strains and this is discussed in terms of rate of development of the protective immune response in relation to worm development. The results support the conclusion that both H-2-linked and non-H-2 genes play important roles in controlling the immune response which expels worms from the gut.
Intelligent speed bump system with dynamic license plate recognition

We present an intelligent bump system incorporated with the speed detection and dynamic license plate recognition techniques. The idea is to determine the enforcement of the speed bump based on the speed and identification of the vehicle. As a part of intelligent transportation systems for providing the traffic flow control, the proposed technique makes the driving safer and more comfortable. In the dynamic license plate recognition stage, the adaptive tracking is carried out for license plate allocation, followed by character segmentation and identification. "Tesseract OCR" is then used to construct sample images and perform the character recognition task. The experiments are carried out on a prototype system with embedded computation to demonstrate the feasibility of this work.
Overweight and Obesity and Associated Factors among School-Aged Adolescents in Six Pacific Island Countries in Oceania

The aim of this study was to assess overweight and obesity and associated factors in school-going adolescents in six Pacific Island countries in Oceania. The sample included 10,424 school-going adolescents predominantly 13–16 years old from Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between dietary behaviour, substance use, physical activity, psychosocial factors, social-familial influences, and overweight or obesity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined based on self-reported height and weight and the international child body mass index standards. Results indicate a prevalence of overweight or obesity of 24.3% and obesity of 6.1% in the six countries, ranging in terms of overweight or obesity and obesity from 12.0% and 0.4% in Vanuatu to 58.7% and 21.1% in Tonga, respectively. In multivariable regression analysis, being female was associated with overweight, carbonated soft drink use with obesity, sedentary behaviour with overweight or obesity, suicidal ideation with overweight, having close friends and peer support with overweight and obesity, parental or guardian supervision with overweight, and parental or guardian bonding was associated with overweight or obesity. High prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were found and several factors identified which can help guide interventions.
Figure 1 : Example Willingness to Pay and Cost Curves

Revealed-preference measures of willingness to pay generally provide a gold standard input into welfare analysis. But, applied to insurance markets they can be misleading. This is because they only capture the value of insurance against the portion of risk that remains at the time of making an insurance choice. This paper develops a sufficient statistics method to recover ex-ante measures of welfare that are consistent with ex-ante expected utility but can be applied to markets in which choices are made after some information has been revealed. I provide a benchmark method of implementation of this approach that requires only market willingness to pay and cost curves, as in Einav, Finkelstein, and Cullen (2010), combined with a measure of risk aversion. I apply the approach to estimates from existing literature in health insurance. Relative to a criteria focused on market surplus or “deadweight loss”, an ex-ante expected utility criteria can generate different conclusions about the optimal size of insurance markets, the welfare cost of adverse selection, and the desirability of mandates.
Dickkopf1: A tumor suppressor or metastasis promoter?

Dickkopf1 (DKK1), a secreted inhibitor of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, is a negative regulator of bone formation. DKK1 acts as a switch that transitions prostate cancer bone metastases from osteolytic to osteoblastic and also is an active indicator of poor outcome for multiple myeloma. However, in other tumor types, DKK1 upregulation or overexpression suppresses tumor growth. Thus, the role of DKK1 in cancer appears to be diverse. This raises a question: Could the increased levels of DKK1 still be tumor protective when observed in high levels in the serum of patients? Here, we summarize the diverse, seemingly contradicting roles of DKK1 and attempt to explain the apparent dichotomy in its activity. We propose that DKK1 is a critical secreted factor that modulates microenvironment. Based on the location and components of the microenvironment DKK1 will support different outcomes.
Validation and implementation of the Australian Treatment Outcomes Profile in specialist drug and alcohol settings.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS The measurement of clinical outcomes is an important, but lacking, component of drug and alcohol treatment in Australia. This study aimed to psychometrically validate the Treatment Outcomes Profile under Australian conditions, examining implementation and feasibility issues in three public opioid treatment program clinics in NSW. DESIGN AND METHODS The Treatment Outcomes Profile was modified to reflect Australian conditions and re-named the Australian Treatment Outcomes Profile (ATOP). The ATOP was introduced into the participating clinics and administered by clinic staff at 3-month intervals as part of routine clinical practice. Participants completed a research interview, consisting of the ATOP and a suite of 'gold standard' instruments assessing substance use and related health and welfare domains, in the 72 h following completion of a routine clinical ATOP. The researcher- and clinician-administered ATOPs were compared to assess interrater reliability, and the researcher-administered ATOP and 'gold standard' instruments were compared to assess concurrent validity. Implementation and feasibility issues were assessed using questionnaires and focus groups with clinician and clients. RESULTS The ATOP demonstrated acceptable concurrent validity and interrater reliability. It was well received by clients and clinicians, particularly for its ease of use, applicability and brevity. CONCLUSIONS The ATOP is a psychometrically valid instrument for the measurement of treatment outcomes in Australian opioid treatment populations and can feasibly be implemented as part of routine clinical practice in specialist opioid treatment program clinics. The role of the ATOP to measure outcomes in other drug and alcohol treatment modalities requires exploration.
Subclasses of simian virus 40 large T antigen: differential binding of two subclasses of T antigen from productively infected cells to viral and cellular DNA.

Two major subclasses of simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen were separated by zone velocity sedimentation of crude extracts from productively infected cells. These subclasses, which have been shown to differ biologically and biochemically (Fanning et al., 1981), sedimented at 5‐6S and 14‐16S. The amount of T antigen in each form was estimated by complement fixation and by immunoprecipitation of T antigen from extracts of cells chronically labeled with [35S]methionine. Each form of T antigen was tested for specific binding to end‐labeled restriction fragments of SV40 DNA using an immunoprecipitation assay. The 5‐6S and 14‐16S forms of T antigen both bound specifically to DNA sequences in the SV40 HindIII C fragment. The sequences required for binding both forms were localized in the same 35‐bp region of the origin. However, significant differences in binding activity and affinity for specific and nonspecific DNA were demonstrated. These properties suggest that T antigen subclasses may serve different functions in the lytically infected cell.
Cardiorespiratory coupling functions, synchronization and ageing

We discuss the advent of coupling functions as a new dimension in the analysis of cardiorespiratory interactions. By decomposing the separate coupling components in a phase oscillator model, we infer the cardiorespiratory coupling functions with dynamical Bayesian inference for time-evolving and noisy coupled systems. The inferred coupling functions are themselves time-varying processes. On a longer timescale, application to ageing shows that the coupling functions and the direct influence of respiration decrease as age increases. We find that the coupling functions can give rise to synchronization transitions, and that there are no significant changes in synchronization with age.