Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
3D technology of Sony Bloggie has no advantage in decision-making of tennis serve direction: A randomized placebo-controlled study

Abstract This study aimed at exploring whether 3D technology enhances tennis decision-making under the conceptual framework of human performance model. A 3 (skill-level: varsity, club, recreational) × 3 (experimental condition: placebo, weak 3D [W3D], strong 3D [S3D]) between-participant design was used. Allocated to experimental conditions by a skill-level stratified randomization, 105 tennis players judged tennis serve direction from video scenarios and rated their perceptions of enjoyment, flow, and presence during task performance. Results showed that varsity players made more accurate decisions than less skilled ones. Additionally, applying 3D technology to typical video displays reduced tennis players’ decision-making accuracy, although wearing the 3D glasses led to a placebo effect that shortened the decision-making reaction time. The unexpected negative effect of 3D technology on decision-making was possibly due to participants being more familiar to W3D than to S3D, and relatedly, a suboptimal task-technology match. Future directions for advancing this area of research are offered. Highlights 3D technology augments binocular depth cues to tradition video displays, and thus results in the attainment of more authentic visual representation. This process enhances task fidelity in researching perceptual-cognitive skills in sports. The paper clarified both conceptual and methodological difficulties in testing 3D technology in sports settings. Namely, the nomenclature of video footage (with/without 3D technology) and the possible placebo effect (arising from wearing glasses of 3D technology) merit researchers' attention. Participants varying in level of domain-specific expertise were randomized into viewing conditions using a placebo-controlled design. Measurement consisted of both participants' subjective experience (i.e., presence, flow, and enjoyment) and objective performance (i.e., accuracy and reaction time) in a decision-making task. Findings revealed that wearing glasses of 3D technology resulted in a placebo effect that shortened participants' reaction times in decision-making. Moreover, participants' decision-making accuracy decreased when viewing video scenarios using 3D technology. The findings generated meaningful implications regarding applying 3D technology to sports research.
Sequencing of heat shock protein 70 (DnaK) homologs from Deinococcus proteolyticus and Thermomicrobium roseum and their integration in a protein-based phylogeny of prokaryotes

The 70-kDa heat shock protein (hsp70) sequences define one of the most conserved proteins known to date. The hsp70 genes from Deinococcus proteolyticus and Thermomicrobium roseum, which were chosen as representatives of two of the most deeply branching divisions in the 16S rRNA trees, were cloned and sequenced. hsp70 from both these species as well as Thermus aquaticus contained a large insert in the N-terminal quadrant, which has been observed before as a unique characteristic of gram-negative eubacteria and eukaryotes and is not found in any gram-positive bacteria or archaebacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of hsp70 sequences shows that all of the gram-negative eubacterial species examined to date (which includes members from the genera Deinococcus and Thermus, green nonsulfur bacteria, cyanobacteria, chlamydiae, spirochetes, and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-subdivisions of proteobacteria) form a monophyletic group (excluding eukaryotic homologs which are derived from this group via endosybitic means) strongly supported by the bootstrap scores. A closer affinity of the Deinococcus and Thermus species to the cyanobacteria than to the other available gram-negative sequences is also observed in the present work. In the hsp7O trees, D. proteolyticus and T. aquaticus were found to be the most deeply branching species within the gram-negative eubacteria. The hsp70 homologs from gram-positive bacteria branched separately from gram-negative bacteria and exhibited a closer relationship to and shared sequence signatures with the archaebacteria. A polyphyletic branching of archaebacteria within gram-positive bacteria is strongly favored by different phylogenetic methods. These observations differ from the rRNA-based phylogenies where both gram-negative and gram-positive species are indicated to be polyphyletic. While it remains unclear whether parts of the genome may have variant evolutionary histories, these results call into question the general validity of the currently favored three-domain dogma.
A Comparison of Different Slicing Planes in Preservation of Major Hippocampal Pathway Fibers in the Mouse

The hippocampus plays a critical role in learning and memory and higher cognitive functions, and its dysfunction has been implicated in various neuropathological disorders. Electrophysiological recording undertaken in live brain slices is one of the most powerful tools for investigating hippocampal cellular and network activities. The plane for cutting the slices determines which afferent and/or efferent connections are best preserved, and there are three commonly used slices: hippocampal-entorhinal cortex (HEC), coronal and transverse. All three slices have been widely used for studying the major afferent hippocampal pathways including the perforant path (PP), the mossy fibers (MFs) and the Schaffer collaterals (SCs). Surprisingly, there has never been a systematic investigation of the anatomical and functional consequences of slicing at a particular angle. In the present study, we focused on how well fiber pathways are preserved from the entorhinal cortex (EC) to the hippocampus, and within the hippocampus, in slices generated by sectioning at different angles. The postmortem neural tract tracer 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) was used to label afferent fibers to hippocampal principal neurons in fixed slices or whole brains. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was adopted for imaging DiI-labeled axons and terminals. We demonstrated that PP fibers were well preserved in HEC slices, MFs in both HEC and transverse slices and SCs in all three types of slices. Correspondingly, field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) could be consistently evoked in HEC slices when stimulating PP fibers and recorded in stratum lacunosum-moleculare (sl-m) of area CA1, and when stimulating the dentate granule cell layer (gcl) and recording in stratum lucidum (sl) of area CA3. The MF evoked fEPSPs could not be recorded in CA3 from coronal slices. In contrast to our DiI-tracing data demonstrating severely truncated PP fibers in coronal slices, fEPSPs could still be recorded in CA1 sl-m in this plane, suggesting that an additional afferent fiber pathway other than PP might be involved. The present study increases our understanding of which hippocampal pathways are best preserved in the three most common brain slice preparations, and will help investigators determine the appropriate slices to use for physiological studies depending on the subregion of interest.
Climate change, irrigation adjustments, and its economic impacts

EXPANSION OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE IN GEORGIA by CHANGKEUN PARK (Under the Direction of Jeffrey D. Mullen) ABSTRACT As an adaptation strategy for coping with climate change, the expansion of supplemental irrigated agriculture can be appropriate for the southeast region. In this dissertation, economic and employment impacts for the expansion of irrigated agriculture are estimated by applying the supply-driven Georgia multiregional input-output (MRIO) model. For the analysis, non-irrigated cultivable acreage of cotton, peanuts, corn, and soybeans in 42 counties of southwest Georgia are assumed 100% converted into irrigated acreage. With this assumption, the difference in total net returns of production between the non-irrigation and irrigation method is calculated as input data of the supply-driven Georgia MRIO model. Applying the difference in total net returns of each county by each crop to the supply-driven Georgia MRIO model, the economic impact and employment impact of increasing agricultural production due to the conversion of non-irrigated acreage is estimated for 159 counties and 21 industry sectors. Based on the information of a 95% confidence interval for each crop’s average price, the lower and upper bounds of estimated results are also presented.
Development of wideband crosshole and surface GPR for soil characterization: FDTD modeling and experiments

Original wide band antennas dedicated to the imaging of the subsurface by crosshole or surface radar for civil engineering application have been developed. The challenge in the developments is twofold: in the case of crosshole radar, the design of a narrow antenna less than 61 cm wide working in the frequency band [0.5;1.5] GHz, and in the case of a surface radar the design of a compact antenna less than 55 cm long working in the frequency range [0.3;1] GHz. FDTD simulations have allowed to propose optimized antenna geometries and to model both types of transmission links in the presence of a layered soil representing a moisture gradient. A first measurement campaign performed in the frequency domain in a clay sand embankment has allowed to validate the theoretical developments associated with the crosshole radar and to extract the dielectric parameters (permittivity and attenuation coefficient) as a function of the depth. The experimental validation of the surface radar will further be made and the performances of both types of radars will be compared.
ThNAC13, a NAC Transcription Factor from Tamarix hispida, Confers Salt and Osmotic Stress Tolerance to Transgenic Tamarix and Arabidopsis

NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) proteins play critical roles in many plant biological processes and environmental stress. However, NAC proteins from Tamarix hispida have not been functionally characterized. Here, we studied a NAC gene from T. hispida, ThNAC13, in response to salt and osmotic stresses. ThNAC13 is a nuclear protein with a C-terminal transactivation domain. ThNAC13 can bind to NAC recognized sites and calmodulin-binding NAC (CBNAC) binding element. Overexpression of ThNAC13 in Arabidopsis improved seed germination rate and increased root growth and fresh weight gain under salt or osmotic stress. Transgenic T. hispida plants transiently overexpressing ThNAC13 and with RNAi-silenced ThNAC13 were generated for gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Following exposure to salt or osmotic stress, overexpression of ThNAC13 induced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities, chlorophyll and proline contents; decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde levels; and reduced electrolyte leakage rates in both transgenic Tamarix and Arabidopsis plants. In contrast, RNAi-silenced ThNAC13 showed the opposite results in transgenic Tamarix. Furthermore, ThNAC13 induced the expression of SODs and PODs in transgenic Arabidopsis. These results suggest that ThNAC13 improves salt and osmotic tolerance by enhancing the ROS-scavenging capability and adjusting osmotic potential.
Protein profile of the most common fungi at Sultan Idris education univer-sity, Malaysia

Fungi are vital pathogens related to airway and deferent diseases. Exposure to fungi will have adverse effects on human health through severe immune responses. Allergic diseases like allergic rhinitis, asthma, airborne dermatitis, or allergic conjunctivitis. These diseases may well be aggravated by fungi allergens from the natural atmosphere or from the indoor environment in enclosed areas, workplaces and houses. Fungi allergy prevalence for the Malaysian population has yet to be reported. Therefore, information on allergens of fungi species in Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI), Sultan Azlan Shah Campus will be used to profile the nation prevalence on fungi allergy. Hence, the present study is conducted at UPSI to identify the ten most common airborne fungal species as a preliminary work prior to sensitization study on common fungal allergens. Dust was collected from 54 rooms situated within the 3 blocks at UPSI Sultan Azlan Shah Campus buildings using a vacuum cleaner. The sieved dust was cultured using PDA media and incubated at room temperature to propagate pure culture and sent to the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute for identification using PCR. In this study the 10 most common species were identified as, Penicillium simplicissimum, Aspergillus aculeatus, Rhodosporidiobolus ruineniae, Ceriporia lacerate, Aspergillus caliodustus, Syncephalastrum sp. , Aspergillus sp. , Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium sp. , and Penicillium canescens. Fungi profile exhibited in this study will lead to a further study on fungi allergy with skin prick test and immunoblotting to be carried out.
FEMALE CHOICE VIA INDICATOR TRAITS EASILY EVOLVES IN THE FACE OF RECOMBINATION AND MIGRATION

Abstract Species that exist in heterogeneous environments experience selection for specialization that is opposed by the homogenizing forces of migration and recombination. Migration tends to reduce associations between alleles and habitats, whereas recombination tends to break down associations among loci. The idea that heterogeneity should favor the evolution of isolating mechanisms has motivated evolutionary studies of reduced migration, habitat preference, and assortative mating. However, costly female choice of high-quality males can also evolve in heterogeneous populations and is not hindered by either recombination or migration. When information on male fitness is available through indicator traits, female choice based on these traits increases associations between female choice alleles and locally adapted alleles. Not only does female choice evolve in a heterogeneous environment, it acts to enhance the level of genetic variation and is thus self-reinforcing. The amount of female choice at equilibrium depends on how well mixed the habitats are, how much information on male genotype is available, and how different the habitats are. Female choice reaches the highest levels for intermediate levels of heterogeneity, because at such levels of heterogeneity there is both a high risk and high cost of mismating. Corresponding Editor: M. Whitlock
Bayesian Train Localization with Particle Filter, Loosely Coupled GNSS, IMU, and a Track Map

Train localization is safety-critical and therefore the approach requires a continuous availability and a track-selective accuracy. A probabilistic approach is followed up in order to cope with multiple sensors, measurement errors, imprecise information, and hidden variables as the topological position within the track network. The nonlinear estimation of the train localization posterior is addressed with a novel Rao-Blackwellized particle filter (RBPF) approach. There, embedded Kalman filters estimate certain linear state variables while the particle distribution can cope with the nonlinear cases of parallel tracks and switch scenarios. The train localization algorithm is further based on a track map and measurements from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The GNSS integration is loosely coupled and the IMU integration is achieved without the common strapdown approach and suitable for low-cost IMUs. The implementation is evaluated with real measurements from a regional train at regular passenger service over 230 km of tracks with 107 split switches and parallel track scenarios of 58.5 km. The approach is analyzed with labeled data by means of ground truth of the traveled switch way. Track selectivity results reach 99.3% over parallel track scenarios and 97.2% of correctly resolved switch ways.
Dm1-MMP, a Matrix Metalloproteinase fromDrosophila with a Potential Role in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling during Neural Development*

We have cloned and characterized a cDNA encoding Dm1-MMP, the first matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) identified in Drosophila melanogaster. The isolated cDNA encodes a protein of 541 residues that has a domain organization identical to that of most vertebrate MMPs including a signal sequence, a prodomain with the activation locus, a catalytic domain with a zinc-binding site, and a COOH-terminal hemopexin domain. Northern blot analysis of Dm1-MMP expression in embryonic and larval adult tissues revealed a strong expression level in the developing embryo at 10–22 h, declining thereafter and being undetectable in adults. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of pro- and active forms of Dm1-MMP in vivo during larval development. In situ hybridization experiments demonstrated that Dm1-MMP is expressed in a segmented pattern in cell clusters at the midline during embryonic stage 12–13, when neurons of the central nervous system start to arise. RecombinantDm1-MMP produced in Escherichia coli exhibits a potent proteolytic activity against synthetic peptides used for analysis of vertebrate MMPs. This activity is inhibited by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases and by synthetic MMP inhibitors such as BB-94. Furthermore, Dm1-MMP is able to degrade the extracellular matrix and basement membrane proteins fibronectin and type IV collagen. On the basis of these data, together with the predominant expression of Dm1-MMP in embryonic neural cells, we propose that this enzyme may be involved in the extracellular matrix remodeling taking place during the development of the central nervous system in Drosophila.
Design, modeling and simulation of hybrid power system (Photovoltaic-WIND)

This paper presents the design, modeling and simulation of hybrid power system driven by two sources of renewable energy. The first studied system is a photovoltaic generator, which is a DS-100M model consists of six models connected in series and it is linked to a DC/AC inverter where the MPPT controller, based on the Perturb and Observe technique, is applied. The second one is a small wind turbine system which is connected to a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator PMSG. The objective of this paper is to couple the both system in order to produce the max of power to supply a single phase AC load. Furthermore, the models of the PVG and the wind turbine system are performed and simulated using MATLAB/Simulink environment. The simulation results show the reliability and the effectiveness of the proposed model of the hybrid power system (Photovoltaic generator — Wind turbine) to produce the max of voltage and power, than the use of one source of renewable energy.
PDGFRβ regulates craniofacial development through homodimers and functional heterodimers with PDGFRα

Fantauzzo and Soriano show that ablation of Pdgfrb in the neural crest lineage results in increased nasal septum width, delayed palatal shelf development, and subepidermal blebbing. They reveal a physical interaction between PDGFRα and PDGFRβ in the craniofacial mesenchyme and demonstrate that the receptors form functional heterodimers with distinct signaling properties.
A combined pharmacological and genetic approach to investigate the role of orphanin FQ in learning and memory

Using a combination of the selective opioid receptor‐like1 (ORL1) receptor agonist, Ro 64‐6198, and orphanin FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N) peptide knockout (KO) mice, the influence of OFQ/N on cognition has been studied in the rodent. In wild type, C57BL/6J mice, Ro 64‐6198 (0.3–1 mg/kg i.p.) impaired the acquisition of spatial learning in the Morris water maze, although a mild neurological impairment was evident which complicated precise interpretation. In Lister hooded rats, Ro 64‐6198 (6 mg/kg i.p.) produced delay dependent impairments in rats performing either a delayed matching or a delayed nonmatching to position task with only a modest (< 20%) effect on omissions – an effect consistent with a short‐term memory impairment. Electrophysiological studies demonstrated an inhibitory effect of OFQ/N on LTP recorded from the CA1 region of wild type mice, but not in ORL1 receptor knockout mice. In contrast to the ORL1 agonist, mice deficient in the OFQ/N peptide showed some evidence of improved spatial learning, fear conditioning and passive avoidance retention. However, CA1 LTP was similar between OFQ/N peptide KO mice and wild type controls. Subsequent receptor radioautography studies demonstrated the presence of ORL1 receptors within various regions of the medial temporal lobe system: i.e. CA1, dentate gyrus molecular layer, subiculum, perirhinal cortex. Taken together, these results suggest a bi‐directional effect of OFQ/N containing systems on aspects of cognitive behaviour, particularly those elements associated with hippocampal function. This is consistent with a likely modulatory role of OFQ/N on hippocampal and associated cortical circuitry.
The Validity Study of the Validation and Invalidation Scale (VIRS) among College Women with Dating Violence

The purpose of the present study is to validate Validating and Invalidating Response Scale (VIRS, Lee et al. , in progress) in Korea. College women (N=346) who have experienced an abusive relationship participated in this study and they completed the translated Validating and Invalidating Response Scale, Conflict Tactics Scale-II (CTS-II), the Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory-S (PMWI-S), and Relationship Satisfaction Inventory (RSI). The result of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of K-VIRS suggested one factor structure. Data analysis showed: 1) high reliability of the VIRS (Cronbach ’ s α =.922); 2) appropriate levels of convergent validity, evidenced by moderate correlations with the CTS-II (r= − .457, p ＜ .001), the PMWI-S (r= − .473, p ＜ .001), and RSI (r=.537, p ＜ .001). In addition, K-VIRS showed significant regression with the Korean version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (K-DERS, R 2 =.05, F (1,319)=17.31, p ＜ . 000) and RSI (R 2 =.29, F (1,313)=126.62, p ＜ . 000), indicating victims who have experienced dating violence experience difficulties regulating their emotions and low relationship satisfaction in the relationship. The treatment and research utility of using the construct of validation/invalidation with current and former victims individually and in couples will be discussed and further research establishing the incremental. (Korean J Str Res 2012;20:159 ∼ 167)