Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structural heterogeneity in populations of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Bud scar analysis integrated with mathematical analysis of DNA and protein distributions obtained by flow microfluorometry have been used to analyze the cell cycle of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In populations of this yeast growing exponentially in batch at 30 degrees C on different carbon and nitrogen sources with duplication times between 75 and 314 min, the budded period is always shorter (approximately 5 to 10 min) than the sum of the S + G2 + M + G1* phases (determined by the Fried analysis of DNA distributions), and parent cells always show a prereplicative unbudded period. The analysis of protein distributions obtained by flow microfluorometry indicates that the protein level per cell required for bud emergence increases at each new generation of parent cells, as observed previously for cell volume. A wide heterogeneity of cell populations derives from this pattern of budding, since older (and less frequent) parent cells have shorter generation times and produce larger (and with shorter cycle times) daughter cells. A possible molecular mechanism for the observed increase with genealogical age of the critical protein level required for bud emergence is discussed.
Mapping IS value across stakeholder groups: process Mapping IS value across stakeholder groups: process improvement and strategic alignment, reputational effects and improvement and strategic alignment, reputational effects and radical organisational change (6) radical organisational change (6)

Despite decades of IS research, most returns on IS investment continue to disappoint. IS research addressed this problem by quantifying IS value in terms of its contribution to organisational performance and then prescribing frameworks to clarify this value as organisational benefits associated with IS use. Multiple organisational stakeholders are however involved in IS innovations, with different interests, power, and access to resources which cannot be easily reconciled within one single “organisational” beneficiary. Both a generic benefit framework and an approach to consider value solely as economic contribution to organisational performance obscure these differences. This research maps the outcomes of a particular IS innovation – a course visualisation tool within a large European university - across three types of stakeholders: users, developers and sponsors. The study finds that IS value varies across audiences: process improvements and strategic alignment for users, reputational effects for developers and sponsors, and radical organisational change for sponsors.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibits Leydig Cell Steroidogenesis through a Decrease in Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein Expression.

The aim of the present study was to identify the sites of the inhibitory action of TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha) on LH/hCG-stimulated testosterone formation. By using cultured porcine Leydig cells as a model, TNFα was shown to inhibit testosterone secretion when testicular cells were stimulated with hCG but not when incubated with 22R-hydroxycholesterol (a cholesterol substrate derivative that readily passes through cell and mitochondrial membranes). Such an observation suggested that the cytokine may affect cholesterol transport and/or availability to cytochrome P450scc in the mitochondria. Specifically, we report here that TNFα reduced in a dose- and time-dependent manner hCG-induced StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein) levels. The maximal and half-maximal effects were obtained with 20 ng/ml (1.2 nm) and 1.6 ng/ml (0.09 nm) of TNFα, respectively. Maximal inhibitory effects of TNFα on StAR messenger RNA and protein levels were obtained after 48 h of treatment. Additionally, the presence of .
Planning and Reform of Human Resources for Health in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is ranked 155 out of 169 countries on the human development index (HDI), a composite measure of three basic dimensions of humandevelopment, one of which is health. While some progress has been made, many of the key indicators of health status have not improvedin the last decade. Many factors contribute to the lack of progress, but central to improving the situation is strengthening the national healthsystem, particularly in the arena of human resources. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has prioritized the issue of human resources, viewingthis as a fundamental necessity to the provision of healthcare. To bring together a number of distinct planning efforts, the General Directorateof Human Resources (GDHR), MoPH organized a process to develop a comprehensive plan. In this paper, we summarize the process that wasestablished by the GDHR to lay a foundation for developing the strategic plan to address human resources for health (HRH) in Afghanistan. Thisplan includes the synthesis and harmonization of data and the involvement of all key stakeholders. We document both success and shortcomings,discuss the remedial action initiated to continue to advance the HRH agenda, and conclude with several recommendations.
Microglial cell migration stimulated by ATP and C5a involve distinct molecular mechanisms: Quantification of migration by a novel near‐infrared method

Microglial cells, the macrophages of the brain, play an essential role in the propagation of neuroinflammation. Increased microglial cell migration in response to specific chemoattractants has been documented, but less is known about the differences between these stimuli and the signal transduction pathways that mediate their effects. Current methods to measure cell migration are often labor‐intensive and rely on the manual counting of cell number, so more efficient and objective methods are needed. Here we present an improved and higher‐throughput Boyden chamber technique that measures microglial cell migration by using DRAQ5, a nuclear dye that emits in the near‐infrared. Out of a panel of chemoattractants tested, we found that ATP and C5a potently stimulate the migration of mouse primary microglial cells. The stimulatory effects of ATP and C5a displayed significant additivity, suggesting that each chemoattractant stimulated migration through independent molecular mechanisms. Accordingly, we found key differences in these responses: ATP stimulated a combination of both chemokinesis and chemotaxis, and this response was mediated by the ROCK signaling pathway; whereas C5a stimulated only chemotaxis and this response was mediated by the Rac1 signaling pathway. Finally, we found that functional PI3‐kinase is only required for random basal microglial cell migration. Thus, our results show that distinct nonoverlapping signal transduction pathways control different modes of microglial cell migration and suggest that the targeting of these distinct molecular mechanisms should modulate different aspects of neuroinflammation propagation. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clostridium perfringens isolate typing by multiplex PCR

Clostridium perfringens is an important pathogen that provokes numerous different diseases. This bacterium is classified into five different types, each of which capable of causing a different disease. There are various methods for the bacterial identification, many are labor-intensive, time-consuming, expensive and also present low sensitivity and specificity. The aim of this research was to identify the different types of C. perfringens using PCR molecular method. In this study, 130 sheep-dung samples were randomly collected from areas around the city of Kerman, southeastern Iran. After processing and culturing of samples, the produced colonies were morphologically studied, gram stain test was also carried out and the genera of these bacteria were identified through biochemical tests. DNA extracted from isolated bacteria for genotyping was tested by multiplex PCR with specific primers. Based on length of synthesized fragments by PCR, toxin types and bacterial strains were detected. C. perfringens isolated types were divided as follows: 17.39% type A, 21.74% type B, 34.78% type C and 26.09% type D. It should be emphasized that, up to the present moment, C. perfringens type A has not been reported in Iran.
The Role of Financial Sustainability to Reduce the Financial Crisis, Through the Interactive Role of the Strategic Scenario: An Analytical Study in the Sector of Commercial Banks Listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange

Iraq is an oil dependent economy, and country 90 percent revenue is coming from the export of oil. The recent volatility in oil prices has adversely affected the economic growth of Iraq. The prime objective of the current study is to explore the impact of financial sustainability on financial crisis. In addition to that, we have also investigated the indirect and direct impact of strategic scenarios such as portfolio diversification strategies on the financial crisis. The financial crisis is measured as the growth in real gross domestic product. Whereas, the financial sustainability is measured as an index of profitability, liquidity, and efficiency, the diversification to loan, non-interest income, and investment are taken as proxies of strategic scenarios. The ordinary least square, and hierarchical regression method is used to achieve the research objectives of the current study. The results of the study have shown a great deal of agreement with the hypothesized result. The financial sustainability has significant positive impact on economic growth of Iraq. Similarly, the concentration to loan, and diversification investment has significant positive impact on economic growth. Where is the diversification non-interest income having significant negative impact on economic growth? The 26 banks out of total listed banks are the final sample of the study. Data of eight years from 2008 to 2017 is taken form the annual reports and world bank data base. The findings of the study will be helpful for the practitioners, researchers and policy makers in understanding the role of financial sustainability and strategic scenarios of banks in fostering the economic growth.
Low cost electric drivetrain for conversion of ICE vehicle into an electric vehicle

In this paper, conversion of existing Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) based vehicle into an electric vehicle is discussed. Such a configuration saves the investment in development of a completely new electric drivetrain. The ICE is replaced with electric drive while keeping rest of the transmission as it is. Thus, field weakening capability is not essential for the motor and surface permanent magnet based motor can be used for high efficiency and torque density. Low cost ferrite magnets are preferred and attempt is made to obtain sinusoidal back-emf with reduced cogging torque for minimizing torque ripple even with concentrated stator winding.
A new marine ecosystem model for the University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model

Abstract. Earth System Climate Models (ESCMs) are valuable tools that can be used to gain a better understanding of the climate system, global biogeochemical cycles and how anthropogenically-driven changes may affect them. Here we describe improvements made to the marine biogeochemical ecosystem component of the University of Victoria's ESCM (version 2.9). Major changes include corrections to the code and equations describing phytoplankton light limitation and zooplankton grazing, the implementation of a more realistic zooplankton growth and grazing model, and the implementation of an iron limitation scheme to constrain phytoplankton growth. The new model is evaluated after a 10 000-yr spin-up and compared to both the previous version and observations. For the majority of biogeochemical tracers and ecosystem processes the new model shows significant improvements when compared to the previous version and evaluated against observations. Many of the improvements are due to better simulation of seasonal changes in higher latitude ecosystems and the effect that this has on ocean biogeochemistry. This improved model is intended to provide a basic new ESCM model component, which can be used as is or expanded upon (i.e., the addition of new tracers), for climate change and biogeochemical cycling research.
U.S. Households’ Demand for Convenience Foods

Over the past four decades, demand for foods that save households time in meal prepa - ration and cleanup (i.e., “convenience foods”) has grown in the United States. This has implications for dietary quality and health. But little is known about the drivers behind the growth in demand for such foods. One driver might be that Americans are purchasing more processed foods because of those foods’ declining market prices rela - tive to their less processed counterparts. Another driver might be that the most adver - tised foods are those that are the most convenient or that American households have little time for meal preparation because of labor-market participation. How declining incomes affect the demand for convenience may also be a driver. Between 1999 and 2010, changes in prices and total food expenditure drove most food-purchasing patterns. Meals and snacks at fast-food restaurants were also responsive to changes in advertising expenditures, while hours worked had little effect on demand for any foods.
Vehicle routing with multi-dimensional loading constraints

Zwei der wichtigsten Problemstellungen in der Transportlogistik behandeln einerseits das Verladen von Produkten auf LKWs und andererseits die ressourceneffiziente Belieferung der Kunden auf dem gegebenen Strasennetz. Bis dato wurden diese zwei Probleme mit Hilfe von kombinatorischer Optimierung getrennt von einander behandelt und es existieren zahlreiche Publikationen zu beiden Themen in den einschlagigen Fachzeitschriften. Erst in den letzten drei Jahren wurde einem integrierten Ansatz, der beide Problemstellungen zu einem Optimierungsproblem vereint betrachtet. Somit werden die Bestellungen einzelner Kunden nicht blos uber ihre Gewichte, sondern auch uber ihre Abmessungen definiert. Der klare Vorteil dieses Ansatzes liegt darin, dass die einzelnen LKW Routen auch tatsachlich so gefahren werden konnen, da die tatsachliche Beladung auch berucksichtigt wurde. Andererseits steigt die kombinatorische Komplexitat drastisch, weil das kapazitierte Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP) mit Bin Packing Problemen (BPP) kombiniert wird und beide Probleme fur sich alleine NP schwer sind. Diese Dissertation prasentiert drei verschiedene Probleme, die sich neben der Frage welches Fahrzeug beliefert welchen Kunden auch der Frage widmet, wie die bestellten Produkte auf den LKW geladen werden konnen. - Das Multi-Pile Vehicle Routing Problem (MP-VRP) bindet in das klassische CVRP eine Beladekomponente ein, die zwischen eindimensionalem und zweidimensionalem Bin Packing Problem angesiedelt ist. Die Problemstellungen wurden durch einen osterreichischen Holzzulieferer motiviert. - Beim kapazitierten Vehicle Routing Problem mit zweidimensionalen Beladenebenbedingungen (2L-CVRP) bestellt jeder Kunden rechteckige Objekte, welche auf der rechteckigen Beladeflache des LKWs untergebracht werden mussen. - Das allgemeinste Beladeproblem stellt das dreidimensionale Bin Packing Problem dar. Hier bestellt jeder Kunde dreidimensionale Objekte, welche auf dem dreidimensionalen Laderaum des LKWs untergebracht werden mussen. Das klassische dreidimensionale Bin Packing Problem wird durch zusatzliche Beladenebenbedingungen erweitert. Momentan gibt es zu diesen kombinierten Problemen nur wenige Publikationen. Exakte Ansatze gibt es momentan nur zwei, einen fur das MP-VRP (hier konnen Probleme bis zu 50 Kunden gelost werden) und fur das 2L-CVRP (hier konnen Probleme bis zu 30 Kunden exakt gelost werden). Fur Realweltanwendungen mussen jedoch Heuristiken gefunden werden, welche grosere Probleminstanzen losen konnen. In dieser Arbeit wird fur alle drei Problemstellungen ein Ameisenalgorithmus verwendet und mit bestehenden Losungsansatzen aus dem Bereich der Tabu-Suche (TS) verglichen. Es wird gezeigt, dass der prasentierte Ameisenansatz fur die zur Verfugung stehenden Benchmarkinstanzen die besten Ergebnisse liefert. Daruber hinaus wird der Einfluss verschiedener Beladenebenbedingungen auf die Losungsgute untersucht, was eine wichtige Entscheidungsgrundlage fur Unternehmen darstellt.
Bond graph modeling and state estimation of stringing machine

This paper presents a Bond Graph (BG) modeling and state estimation by the Luenberger reduced order observer of the string tension racquet of stringing machine. A significant advantage of this approach is that the observer design is achieved by using graphical methods of BG model. The error estimation output is used as residual signal for fault detection. Simulations results show the performance of the considered approach.
Video modelling interventions to teach spontaneous requesting using AAC devices to individuals with autism: a preliminary investigation

This multiple baseline study investigated to what extent individuals with autism would learn to operate a speech generating device (SGD) to request a preferred object by observing a video model. The intervention consisted of each participant viewing a 10- to15-s video model that demonstrated the requesting of a preferred object using a SGD. Baseline, intervention and generalisation were all implemented within a public school, special education classroom. After viewing the video model, two participants displayed the ability to request preferred items using the SGD without prompting or cues. However, the participants did not generalise requesting using the SGD to a second preferred object. The study provides preliminary evidence that video modelling can be used to teach individuals with autism and severe cognitive disabilities requesting skills using an SGD.
The retrievals of effective grain size and snow water equivalent from variationally-retrieved microwave surface emissivities

This study introduces a new technique for the estimation of the snow effective grain size and water equivalent based on the microwave surface emissivity spectra retrieved from a one-dimensional variational retrieval system and a microwave snow emissivity model. The microwave emissivity model is derived analytically from the dense media radiative transfer theory. The model snow physical parameters include the effective grain size, volume fraction and depth. The two-steps algorithm is based on variationally retrieving the emissivity spectrum from microwave remote sensing observations, followed by the estimation of the closest emissivity spectrum from a catalog to determine the snow water equivalent and the effective grain size. This catalog was computed off-line using the microwave emissivity model for realistic ranges of the effective snow parameters. Qualitative inspection of variationally retrieved emissivities and the snow parameters show large-scale consistency. The performance of this physically-based retrieval technique is quantitatively assessed against snow water equivalent measurements and against an empirical brightness temperature-based algorithm.
Anti-HIV Effect of Liposomes Bearing CXCR4 Receptor Antagonist N15P

Purpose : To evaluate lymphatic system targeting and inhibitory ability of N15P nano-liposomal preparation (naLipo-N15P) of CXCR4 receptor antagonist in HIV infection. Methods: Chemotactic and chemotaxic inhibition activity assays were used to analyze the biological activity of naLipo-N15P. The anti-HIV potential of NaLipo-N15P in vitro was evaluated when NaLipo- N15P combined with the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Macaca fascicularis which carry the Simian immunodeficiency virus. Furthermore, the anti-HIV potential in vivo of NaLipo-N15P was evaluated by the plasma concentration and tissue distribution (Ki) Results: The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of naLipo-N15P binding to CXCR4 as an antagonist in competition with SDF-1α was 1.89 pM while Ki was 2.4 pM. Viral load was 289 ± 45. NaLipo- N15P majorly accumulated in liver and spleen. Conclusion: When N15P is encapsulated into nano-liposomes, it not only retains specific binding to CXCR4 and facilitates cell-type-specific targeting of nano-liposomes to PBMCs with high CXCR4 expression, but also shows enhanced anti-HIV effect. Therefore, we propose that naLipo-N15P as a CXCR4 antagonist will play an important role in inflammation and blocking of HIV infection. Keywords : Antagonist, CXCR4, Liposomes, Receptor, Inflammation, HIV
Ranking of current information technologies by risk and regulatory compliance officers at financial institutions – a German perspective

This paper provides new insights on the relevance of new information technologies for the risk and regulatory compliance management of financial institutions in Germany. For this purpose, 62 executive risk managers and compliance officers have been surveyed with respect to risk categories, regulatory requirements as well as new technologies with an emphasis on artificial intelligence. The results of this survey are compared to the scientific literature and to four existing studies of 2016 and 2017, respectively. This research shows that artificial intelligence, big data and cybersecurity technologies are on top of the agenda of financial institutions in Germany. Moreover, the majority of participants are convinced that artificial intelligence solutions will widely be implemented and used in the risk and regulatory compliance environment by the end of 2022.
Cloning and Functional Analysis of cDNAs with Open Reading Frames for 300 Previously Undefined Genes Expressed in CD 34 + Hematopoietic Stem / Progenitor Cells

Qing-Hua Zhang, Min Ye, Xin-Yan Wu, Shuang-Xi Ren, Meng Zhao, Chun-Jun Zhao, Gang Fu, Yu Shen, Hui-Yong Fan, Gang Lu, Ming Zhong, Xiang-Ru Xu, Ze-Guang Han, Ji-Wang Zhang, Jiong Tao, Qiu-Hua Huang, Jun Zhou, Geng-Xi Hu, Jian Gu, Sai-Juan Chen, and Zhu Chen Shanghai Institute of Hematology (SIH), Rui Jin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025, China; Chinese National Human Genome Center (CHGC) at Shanghai, Shanghai 201203, China; Institute of Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
Training algorithm for radial basis function neural network based on quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization

Radial basis function (RBF) networks are widely applied in function approximation, system identification, chaotic time series forecasting, etc. To use a RBF network, a training algorithm is absolutely necessary for determining the network parameters. The existing training algorithms, such as orthogonal least squares (OLS) algorithm, clustering and gradient descent algorithm, have their own shortcomings respectively. In this paper, we propose a training algorithm based on a novel population-based evolutionary technique, quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization (QPSO), to train RBF neural network. The proposed QPSO-trained RBF network was tested on non-linear system identification problem and chaotic time series forecasting problem, and the results show that it can identify the system and forecast the chaotic time series more quickly and precisely than that trained by the particle swarm algorithm.