Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and enrichment of spermatogonial stem cells displaying side‐population phenotype in immature mouse testis

In mammals, spermatogenesis is maintained by spermatogonial stem cells (SSC). In their niche, SSC divide to self‐maintain and to produce a transit‐amplifying population that eventually enters the meiotic cycle to give rise to spermatozoa. The low number of SSC and the lack of specific markers hinder their isolation and enrichment. Stem cells in several adult tissues can be identified by using their verapamil‐sensitive Hoechst dye‐effluxing properties, which define the characteristic “side population” (SP). Here we show, by multicolor flow cytometric analysis, that immature mouse testis contains a “side‐population” (T‐SP), which is Sca‐1pos, Ep‐CAMpos, EE2 pos, α6‐integrin pos, and αv‐integrin neg. A 13‐fold enrichment in SSC activity was observed when sorted T‐SP cells from ROSA 26 mice were transplanted in busulfan‐treated mouse testis. Whereas an incomplete range of spermatogenic stages was encountered two months after transplantation of unsorted testicular cells, the transplantation of T‐SP cells generated all associations of mouse germ cells representing the full range of spermatogenic stages. These data suggest that Hoechst staining and cell sorting might provide a novel approach to SSC enrichment in mammals.
Contract farming and rural transformation: Evidence from a field experiment in Benin☆

Contract farming has emerged as a popular mechanism to encourage vertical coordination in developing country agriculture. Yet, there is a lack of consensus on its ability to spur structural transformation in rural economies. We present results from a field experiment on contract farming for rice production in Benin. While all contracts have positive effects on welfare and productivity measures, we find that the simplest contract has impacts nearly as large as contracts with additional attributes. This suggests that once price risk is resolved through the offer of a fixed-price contract, farmers are able to address other constraints on their own.
Recipe of predicting strong ground motions for future large earthquakes

We attempted to make a recipe for the prediction of ground motions, based on geological investigations of capable earthquake faults and seismological studies of source models. Total fault lengths of scenario earthquake are evaluated from survey of segmentation and grouping of active faults, fault widths from seismogenic zones, and seismic moment of the capable faults from the empirical relationship between the source areas and seismic source. The scaling relations of slip heterogeneity on fault plane based on a statistical analysis of the source inversion of fifteen crustal earthquakes. We made source modeling based on a self-similar distribution of asperities satisfying the heterogeneity of slip on the fault surface and its two-dimensional Fourier transform of the k-squared model.
Voltage Islanding Technique for Concurrent Power and Temperature Optimization in 3 D-stacked ICs

Voltage island (VI) is a set of well-known techniques aimed at achieving power reduction. However, most previous VI methods are not capable of directly controlling the peak temperature even though high peak temperature is an important cause of reliability problems. This uncontrollability is more critical in three-dimensional (3D) die-stacked ICs due to the much higher power density (and therefore higher temperature) than in the 2D case. To solve this issue, we propose a heuristic VI method for 3D-stacked ICs, which simultaneously optimizes power consumption and peak temperature. Another highlight of our method is that overhead of VI is accurately controlled by the number of voltage islands unlike previous VI methods relying on inaccurate fragmentation cost. Keywords—3D-stacked IC, low power design, thermal-aware, multiple supply voltage, voltage island
Demonstrating autonomous and robust sorting in a glovebox environment

Even with the widespread growth of robotics, glovebox automation systems still face significant challenges on their path to maturity and eventual adoption in the nuclear-industrial complex. National labs and other institutions have countless uses for a flexible, autonomous, in-place system capable of performing hazardous tasks, but so far the risks and challenges of such a system have outweighed the benefits. The various hardware and software components in industrial robotics have advanced in recent years, allowing us to build systems that overcome challenges and approach practical usefulness. To prove the usefulness of these advancements, we chose to implement the open-ended task of sorting solid radioactive waste autonomously in a glovebox. Handling and characterization of solid radioactive waste is one of the most widespread tasks involving radioactive materials. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), several countries face the issue of how to process waste from temporary or interim facilities [1], and the agency also provides specific instructions for collection and packaging of solid wastes. The IAEA warns that "it may become necessary to combine the range of pretreatments, monitoring, dismantling, shredding and deconamination with the sorting and packing stages" [2], making sorting an multifaceted task that can show off of many capabilities of an automated system. By performing basic sorting autonomously, we show our system’s ability to intelligently and safely perform a common glovebox task, and also build a foundation to demonstrate higher-level capabilities in the future, such as material reduction or intelligent packing. To complete even a basic task involving hazardous materials in a glovebox poses many high level challenges. One of the first issues is installing a manipulator in a glovebox. While this may seem like a trivial challenge, the amount of logistics and certifications required to install a machine in a hazardous environment (such as a national lab) quickly becomes prohibitive. Cable-driven manipulators in hot cells, such as the M-2 ([3]), remain in place for years after deployment. A more robust automation system should have the ability to switch between various deployment configurations once installed. This will allow the system to adapt to the needs of the current task. Safety is another paramount concern in gloveboxes, especially when materials such as plutonium are involved. A good automation system should involve safety checks at every level, to protect both the system itself as well as human operators. To perform more open-ended or custom tasks, an automation system must also be extremely flexible, both in terms of hardware degrees of freedom as well as software capability. A good system should be able to complete generic tasks such as sorting, packing, interacting with other machines, and rearranging objects, all in an unconstrained environment. Finally, there must be a determination of the appropriate level of TABLE I. Transitional levels of autonomy from Brabec et. al. [4]
On Error-Computation of Symbolic Approximates of Parametrized Dynamical Systems

* TU Kaiserslautern, Faculty of Mathematics, Erwin-Schrödinger-Strasse, 67659 Kaiserslautern, Germany. E-mail: reis@mathematik.uni-kl.de Abstract − This work concerns the model reduction of continuous-time dynamical systems with real parametric uncertainty. An algorithm for the computation of the maximal H norm difference between the original and the reduced system is given. In contrast to the results in [2] and references not only upper bounds for this number but its exact evaluation is possible. The algorithm computes the norm difference via a bisection algorithm using the mixed real and complex structured singular value in every step. An application of this result is a symbolic-numeric analysis of parametrized linear time-invariant dynamical systems. Especially the symbolic transfer functions of electrical networks are generally very voluminous expressions, and model reduction methods are indispensable.
Isolation and screening of bacteria with biofilm formation ability and characterization with hydrolytic enzyme production for enhanced biogas production

Aims: Biofilm is a complex structure that provides protection towards the bacteria within the barrier. Enhanced biogas production from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) can be achieved by applying biofilm based anaerobic digestion system. Methodology and Results: Bacteria that produces biofilm were isolated and tested on its hydrolytic enzyme secretion. The biofilm produced were also characterized. Out of 120 strains isolated from POME, PKC and food waste compost, only 33 strains were producing biofilm and only 11 of them exhibited significant amount of biofilm produced at optical density of wavelength 595 nm (>0.01). In hydrolysis enzyme assay test, all strains were not able to secrete protease enzyme. The biofilms were extracted and characterized to show similar characteristic for all strains. Strain numbers of 11, 9C, 23C and 30C showed positive result for cellulase, amylase and lipase enzymes, to be tested as single strain bacteria and also mixed with other isolated bacterium for prospect research on effective hydrolysis towards enhanced biogas production. The composition of biofilms from different bacteria mixture also similar under the same incubation condition. Conclusion, Significance and Impact of study: Bacteria producing biofilm are very limited and does not secrete the same hydrolytic enzymes. Utilization of these bacteria may eliminate the problem of microbial instability in a system.
Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle Blood Flow What makes vessels grow with exercise training ?

[PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , December 1, 2008; 84 (6): 1379-1391. J. Leukoc. Biol. M. C. van Oostrom, O. van Oostrom, P. H. A. Quax, M. C. Verhaar and I. E. Hoefer Insights into mechanisms behind arteriogenesis: what does the future hold? [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , February 15, 2009; 587 (4): 897-904. J. Physiol. D. R. Moore, J. E. Tang, N. A. Burd, T. Rerecich, M. A. Tarnopolsky and S. M. Phillips ingestion at rest and after resistance exercise Differential stimulation of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic protein synthesis with protein [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , April 1, 2009; 27 (4): 949-960. Stem Cells M. Shi, M. Ishikawa, N. Kamei, T. Nakasa, N. Adachi, M. Deie, T. Asahara and M. Ochi Local Injection of Human Peripheral Blood-Derived CD133-Positive Cells Acceleration of Skeletal Muscle Regeneration in a Rat Skeletal Muscle Injury Model by [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , April 1, 2009; 106 (4): 1065-1071. J Appl Physiol H. J. Thijssen N. T. L. Van Duijnhoven, T. W. J. Janssen, D. J. Green, C. T. Minson, M. T. E. Hopman and D. heating in spinal cord injury Effect of functional electrostimulation on impaired skin vasodilator responses to local [PDF] [Full Text] [Abstract] , April 15, 2009; 587 (8): 1755-1767. J. Physiol. C. Breen I. M. Olfert, R. A. Howlett, K. Tang, N. D. Dalton, Y. Gu, K. L. Peterson, P. D. Wagner and E. Muscle-specific VEGF deficiency greatly reduces exercise endurance in mice
Breastfeeding Among Somali Mother ’ s Living in Finland Under Salutogenic Approach

Background: Breastfeeding is important to both mother and child. However, adapting to a new culture decreases initiation of breastfeeding and also breastfeeding duration. Objective: Examine Somali women's perceptions towards breastfeeding using a salutogenic approach. Design and Method: A qualitative methodological approach is used for a single focus-group and two personal interview sessions. Snowball sampling was used to recruit the informants. Data were analysed using deductive content analysis. The interviews were conducted during May–August of 2012. Results: The sample of 7 Somali women ages 20-32 had a total of 11 children, all born in Finland. Somali mothers are motivated to breastfeed due to their religious and cultural beliefs. The most important source of information about breastfeeding for a new mother is the knowledge of her own mother and other elderly female relatives. Health professionals can support and complement that cultural information. It is the wish of Somali mothers to have a traditional postpartum period, as dictated in their tradition, but that is rarely possible in Finland. Because of these challenges, the breastfeeding period usually ends prematurely – indeed earlier than what the mothers had planned for or wanted. Key Conclusions: It is important to recognize the key factors that are affecting Somali mothers’ breastfeeding, such as the changed position of the husband in the family’s life, and exploit the general resistance resources of Somali mothers during the breastfeeding counselling. To advocate exclusive breastfeeding, it becomes important to discuss the possibilities for creating a balance between exclusive breastfeeding, daily routines, and breastfeeding in public. Using breastfeeding promotion interventions targeted toward Somali parents, as well as increasing the cultural competence of Finnish maternity care should, therefore, be strongly considered.
AN EFFICIENT DISTRIBUTED TRUST MODEL FOR SECURE TRANSMISSION IN WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK

For wireless sensor networks (WSNs), many factors, such as mutual interference of wireless links, battlefield applications and nodes exposed to the environment without good physical protection, result in the sensor nodes being more vulnerable to be attacked and compromised. In order to address this network security problem, an efficient distributed trust model is proposed. First, according to the number of packets received by sensor nodes, direct trust and recommendation trust are selectively calculated. Then, communication trust, energy trust and data trust are considered during the calculation of direct trust. Furthermore, trust reliability and familiarity are defined to improve the accuracy of recommendation trust. The trust analysis is performed here based on the honesty, reliability and the effective parameters. The proposed EDTM can evaluate trustworthiness of sensor nodes more precisely and prevent the security breaches more significantly. The experimental results represents that proposed model outperforms other similar models, e.g., NBBTE trust model.
Challenges in the design and implementation of technology in health care

Technology in general, and assistive technology in particular, is considered to be a promising opportunity to address the challenges of an aging population. Nevertheless, in health care, technology is not as widely used as could be expected. In this chapter, an overview is given of theories and models that help to understand this phenomenon. First, the design of (assistive) technologies will be addressed and the importance of humancentered design in the development of new assistive devices will be discussed. Also theories and models are addressed about technology acceptance in general. Specific attention will be given to technology acceptance in healthcare professionals, and the implementation of technology within healthcare organizations. The chapter will be based on the state of the art of scientific literature and will be illustrated with examples from our research in daily practice considering the different perspectives of involved stakeholders.
A Review of Social, Physiological, and Cognitive Factors Affecting Construction Safety

Safety improvement in construction remains a high priority due to the significant rate of accidents compared to other industries. Despite the ongoing multitude of safety studies and policy recommendations concerning the high rate of injuries and casualties in construction, the extent of damage sustained is still significant. Major research studies in construction safety are focused on identifying conditions and causal factors leading to near misses, incidents, and accidents. This paper aims to provide a review of such literature in construction safety from social and individual perspectives. Three major categories of construction safety factors, i.e., social, physiological, and cognitive factors, are synthesized, and the main findings in each category are presented. Implications of the findings are further discussed to guide the research and practice in construction safety
Denoising EEG Signal Using Wavelet Transform

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal is the recording of spontaneous electrical activity of the brain over a small interval of time. Signals are produced by bombardment of neurons within the brains which are measured and evaluated by EEG. EEG signals are low voltage signals that are contaminated by various types of noises that are also called as artifacts. As these signals are used to diagnose various types of brain related diseases like narcolepsy, Sleep apneasyndrome, Insomnia and parasomnia it becomes necessary to make these signals free from noise for proper analysis and detection of the diseases. Various noise removal techniques such as Independent Component Analysis (ICA), Principle Component Analysis (PCA) ,Wavelet Transform and Wavelet Packet Transform are available and can be implemented in mat lab. All the above methods can be used for EEG signal denoising through noise to the original signal and then implement the noise reduction technique and their performance can be evaluated based on the factors such as SNR and MSE. In this paper, a statistical method for removing artifacts from EEG recordings through wavelet transform without considering SNR calculation is proposed.
Transport of Phenol in BS-12 Modified Lou Soil in the Column Experiment: Effect of Concentrations, pH and Ionic Strength

Lou soil was modified by amphoteric surfactant in column experiment which was conducted. This study attempts to explore the transport of phenol to unmodified and modified soil and inquire into the effect of concentrations, pH, and ionic strength on phenol migration in the soil column. The parameters and breakthrough curves (BTCs) of transport were fitted by using the CXTFIT (version 2.1) model. The result of Cl−’s BTCs for non-reactive by determining the equilibrium model (EM) showed the retardation factor which was smaller than 1. The result of phenol’s BTCs by determining non-equilibrium model (NEM) was shown that the R-value increased while modification ratio increased, and the R was in order of CK (1.337) < 50BS-12 (4.085) < 100BS-12 (7.048). The lower to higher concentration of phenol didn’t affect to CK and 100BS-12 was able to block higher concentration. The effect of pH on transport to CK and 100BS-12 didn’t react and the average pore water velocity was decreased at pH = 4. The decreasing ionic strength of phenol migration on CK and 100BS-12 had effect and the average pore water velocity and retardation factor also decreased. The residual retention in soil was in order of CK < 50BS-12 < 100BS-12, and 100BS-12 could hold the amount of phenol than CK 7.21 times. Thus, amphoteric modified lou soil definitely blocks phenol migration and controls groundwater pollution.
Noninvasive Absolute Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Oxygen Imaging for the Assessment of Tissue Graft Oxygenation.

Oxygen is the single most important molecule for sustaining life and, therefore, an important variable in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. It has been shown that the change in oxygen concentration in an artificial or tissue-engineered graft affects cell survival, differentiation, and tissue growth in profound ways. However, at present, there are no reliable methods to map partial oxygen pressure (pO2) in growing artificial tissues. Here, we adapt and test the suitability of electron paramagnetic resonance oxygen imaging (EPROI) in assessing tissue graft oxygenation in vitro. EPROI is an established method to assess absolute pO2 and has been widely applied to study tumor hypoxia in small animals. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of EPROI in evaluating oxygen dynamics in tissue grafts. We measured oxygen concentration in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-seeded polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds with variable porosity. The pO2 maps of these scaffolds showed that the mean pO2 inside the scaffolds was smaller than the ambient air pO2 (21% oxygen, 160 torr) and was gradually increased with increasing pore size. We assessed the local oxygen dynamics of the MSC-seeded osteogenic scaffold made from collagen-chitosan hydrogels in a partially sealed Eppendorf tube. The change in pO2 values as a function of time inside the graft showed that the cells had used available oxygen within first 2 h of the experiment and then went to a dormant low oxygen consumption state until the oxygen supply was reestablished. Collectively, these data suggest that EPROI could be successfully used for mapping pO2 in tissue-engineered grafts. The knowledge of tissue graft oxygenation may be used to improve scaffold design and to assess the tissue viability and growth.
The behavioral pattern of patients with frontotemporal dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Due to cognitive impairment, people with dementia in general are more likely to have a greater risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure. At present, both caregivers and care receivers are undergoing considerable stress than usual (Japanese Psychogeriatric Society, http://www.rounen.org). Japanese government as well as other countries’ one has strongly encouraged to stay at home except for essential activities, to wear face masks in public, to wash hands frequently, to maintain social distance between people, and so on. For peoplewith dementia, itmay be difficult to understand and adapt to the dramatic change of unusual social situation and their memory problems make instructions problematic to remember (Alzheimer’s disease International, https://www.alz.co .uk/news/adi-releases-position-paper-on-covid-19-anddementia). Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is known to have distinct clinical features from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), developing behavioral and language symptoms with relatively preserved memory function (Ducharme et al., 2020; Neary et al., 1998; Rascovsky et al., 2011). Patients with FTD particularly tend to show distinctive unusual behaviors such as disinhibition, loss of social awareness, overeating, perseverative and stereotyped behavior, and impulsivity which are often antisocial (Ikeda, 2007; Neary et al., 1998; Rascovsky et al., 2011). Indeed, patients with FTD showed a significant higher rate of law violation as compared to AD patients (Shinagawa et al., 2017). Therefore, we hypothesize that patients with FTD would have difficulty adapting to the drastic changes in lifestyle caused by the COVID19 outbreak, and their carers might be under unique stress. Here, we report the results of our study of investigating the difficulties of patients with FTD in relatively mild stages and their carers under the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide information that may help to support individualized care for patients with FTD. Patients with FTD and AD and their carers