Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of alterations in morphologic characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells by mechanical stimulation during differentiation into smooth muscle cells

Objective: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be expanded and differentiated into many mature cell types including smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In addition to growth factor, cyclic stretch contributes to differentiation of stem cells. Mechanical stimuli are critical to morphological changes, development, regeneration, differentiation and pathology of mesenchymal tissues. The aim of this study is to investigate effects of cyclic stretch with differing amplitudes on morphology and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Materials and Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells are extracted from human bone marrow. Cells are cultured on silicone membrane and exposed to cyclic stretch by a custom made device. Cellular images are captured before and after tests. Effects of 5% and 15% uniaxial strain with 1Hz frequency and 1-8 hour durations on morphology of human mesenchymal stem cells are investigated. It is assumed that environmental factors such as mechanical loading regulate MSCs differentiation to SMCs. Fractal analysis is used to quantify alterations in cellular morphology. An image processing method with a designed code is used for evaluation of fractal dimension parameter. Results: Results demonstrate statistically significant change in cell morphology due to mechanical stretch. By elevation of strain amplitude and number of load cycles, fractal dimensions of cell images decrease. Such decrease is equivalent to alignment of cells by mechanical stimulus. Cells are differentiated to SMCs purely by cyclic stretch. The initiation and rate of differentiation depend on mechanical conditions. Conclusion: To produce functional SMCs for engineered tissues, MSCs can be exposed to uniaxial cyclic stretch. The functionality of differentiated SMCs depends on loading conditions.
Fatty Acid Composition of Lipids from Sulphuroxidizing and Methylotrophic Bacteria from Thyasirid and Lucinid Bivalves

Lipids of sulphur-oxidizing bacteria isolated from Thyasim flexuosa had large amounts of 18:l(n-7) together with lesser amounts of both 16:l(n-7) and 16:0 as their major fatty acids. Smaller amounts of the cyclopropyl fatty acids, cyclic δ9,10 C16 and especially cyclic δll,12 C18 were also present. A similar pattern was found for methylotrophic bacteria isolated from Thyasira, Myrtea and Lucinoma, except that 16:l(n-7) and 16:0 were both present in larger amounts than 18:l(n-7) and small amounts of cyclic δ9,10 C16 and lesser amounts of cyclic All,12 C18 were present in all cases. The fatty acids 18:l(n-7), 16:l(n-7), 16:0, cyclic δ9,10 C16, and cyclic δll,12 C18 were all present in varying amounts in several free-living, non-marine, sulphur-oxidizing bacteria analysed, and in one bacterium both cyclic δ9,10 C18 and cyclic δll,12 C20 were abundant. Branched-chain fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids were not detected in any of the sulphur-oxidizing or methylotrophic bacteria analysed. The lipids of the sulphur-oxidizing and methylotrophic bacteria consisted largely of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin. The results are discussed in terms of fatty acids as indicators of nutritional relationships in bacterial-invertebrate symbioses.
The watertight dormancy of Melilotus alba seeds: further observations on the palisade cell wall

The impermeable palisade layer of Melilotus alba seed coats was studied on sections, phytoglyphs, and separated cells obtained from them, using light and fluorescence microscopy. Occurrence of callose was demonstrated with sirofluor, the aniline blue fluorochrome, in the region of the light line and below it in the palisade cell wall. In the same region, a highly fluorescent material following phosphine 3R staining was evident. These results indicate that seed coat hardness is due not only to the caps or the light line of the palisade cells but also to the entire wall except for the inner tangential portion.
Identification of the Domains for Reverse Patterns of Forestry Specialization Using a Linear Trade Model that Includes Intermediate Goods

This paper discusses development of a multi-country, multicommodity linear trade model that includes intermediate goods. This new model improves the author’s previous model by rigidly formulating the supply and demand conditions for each good according to the final demand for that good as a linear function of gross domestic product (GDP). Parameter domains of φK (i.e., the level of public benefit in monetary terms provided by the forestry sector in country K, assuming that the forestry sector maintains its present output level) are investigated where the pattern of forestry specialization in each country reverses from its primary state. These domains were identified in three-dimensional φK spaces. Public benefit was assumed to be directly proportionate to the country’s forestry output. Calculations were made using data from the “Asian International Input-Output Table 2000. ” Simulations were conducted to examine interactions between Japan, the U.S., and China. Results showed that (1) if the present public benefit from the forestry sector in each country is not considered at all, then forestry output should be decreased in Japan, (2) when public benefit is considered, a “reverse domain” (in which desirable outputs increase) certainly exists within the range of φJ = 0 − 1.0(1010$/year) in the three-dimensional φK spaces, and (3) when the agriculture, forestry, Received September 11, 2009; Accepted January 18, 2010
POSIX threads parallelization for example of Particle-In-Cell density calculations in plasma computer simulations

The TRQR program [1-4] simulates trajectories of charged particles (electrons or ions) in the electromagnetic field. TRQR is based on the Particle-In-Cell method whose basic guideline is the use of computational particles (called macro particles) that represent a large number of real particles of the same kind moving in the same direction. The program calculates particles charge density distribution and potential distribution for chosen ion sources, analyses particles behaviour in the electromagnetic field, describes the process of beams from the source extraction. A number of factors influences simulation results. In order to improve efficiency the program has been parallelized. This paper presents the process of converting chosen parts of the TRQR program into the multi-thread version. In the first step the program was moved from Fortran 77 to C++. Then it was parallelized using the Pthread library with the standard API for C++ contained in the POSIX IEEE 1003.1c standard. Each of threads has its own stack, set of registers, program counter, individual data, local variables, state information. All threads of particular process share one address space, general signal operations, virtual memory, data, input and output. The Mutex functions were used as a synchronization mechanism. This paper presents the analysis of a particular piece of main program that implements computations of particles density distribution. The paper presents execution time dependencies for different simulation parameters such as: the number of macro particles, size of the simulation mesh and the number of used threads.
The Modeling and Complexity of Dynamical Systems by Means of Computation and Information Theories

We present the modeling of dynamical systems and finding of their complexity indicators by the use of concepts from computation and information theories, within the framework of J. P. Crutchfield's theory of e-machines. A short formal outline of the e-machines is given. In this approach, dynamical systems are analyzed directly from the time series that is received from a properly adjusted measuring instrument. The binary strings are parsed through the parse tree, within which morphologically and probabilistically unique subtrees or morphs are recognized as system states. The outline and precise interrelation of the information-theoretic entropies and complexities emanating from the model is given. The paper serves also as a theoretical foundation for the future presentation of the DSA program that implements the e-machines modeling up to the stochastic finite automata level.
A review on root and tuber crop production and their weed management among small scale farmers in Nigeria.

Weed infestation is one of the constraints the small scale farmers in Nigeria must contend with in the cultivation of root and crop tubers. The effects of weeds on the cultivation and yield losses in root and tuber crops are discussed. The concepts of weed control and weed management are differentiated in this paper. The approaches in weed management include cultural method mainly by hand weeding at different weeding regimes for various crops, biological method using low growing crops, chemical method using various herbicides and suggested ways of over-coming the constraints on herbicide use and integrated weed management practices such as applying herbicides with cultural and biological practices.
Antibacterial activity of roots of Argyreia speciosa (Burm. f.) Bojer.

ABSTRACT Argyreia speciosa is a potent medicinal plant in th e Indian systems of medicine. Traditionally it is used as an antibacterial, antifungal, antipyreti c, etc. In the present study the hydroalcoholic extract and its acetone, chloroform and methanol fr actions of the root of A. speciosa were studied for their antibacterial activity by disc di ffusion method against different gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacilus subtilis) and gr am negative (Escherchia coli) bacteria. It was observed that the hydroalcoholic extract and it s acetone, chloroform and methanol fraction showed significant activity against all the microor ganisms tested here and the hydroalcoholic extract showed the highest activity (13 mm) against S. aureus.
Ferritin and Prognosis in Elderly Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background: Iron deficiency (ID) and anaemia are frequent in Heart Failure (HF) patients, but there are few data about its prevalence and prognosis in elderly HF patients with preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF). Aim: The aim of this study is to ascertain if ID alone or associated with anaemia is related to negative clinical outcomes in elderly patients with HF-PEF. Design/Methods: 139 consecutive patients discharged from our Internal Medicine Department with a diagnosis of HF-PEF from June 2011 to June 2014 were followed up until June 2015. All demographic and clinical data, echocardiography, biochemical parameters, treatment at discharge, new hospital admissions and death were registered in a specific database. Results: Mean age was 79.1 years (SD 8.3 years), and 94 (67.6%) were women. Anaemia was present in 85 (61%), any iron deficiency in 92 (67%) and absolute iron deficiency in 67 (48%) of these patients. 33 patients (23%) died during a mean follow-up of 649 days. Increased mortality was related to age, previous hospital admissions, lower albumin level, lower Barthel score, and higher ferritin level. Using a composite endpoint of HF readmission or death during first year after index admission, 54 patients (38.8%) had this negative outcome. Lower Barthel Score and albumin values, higher NT pro-BNP and ferritin level, and absence of iron deficiency, were related to this negative outcome. Conclusion: Anaemia and Iron Deficiency are usual findings in our elderly HF-PEF patients, but only a high level of serum ferritin was associated with worse outcomes in this setting.
The meat crisis : developing more sustainable production and consumption

How to raise livestock--and how not to / Colin Tudge -- The water footprint of animal products / Arjen Hoekstra -- Livestock and climate change / Tara Garnett -- Industrial livestock production and biodiversity / Susanne Gura -- Does organic farming offer a solution? / Richard Young -- Food from the dairy--husbandry regained? / John Webster -- Cracking the egg / Ian Duncan -- Cheap as chicken / Andy Butterworth -- Sustainable pig production : finding solutions and making choices / Alistair Lawrence and Alistair Stott -- Industrial animal agriculture's role in the emergence and spread of disease / Michael Greger -- Environmentally sustainable and equitable meat consumption in a climate change world / A.J. McMichael and Ainslie Butler -- How much meat and milk is optimal for health? / Mike Rayner and Peter Scarborough -- Developing ethical, sustainable and compassionate food policies / Kate Rawles -- Religion, culture and diet / Martin Palmer -- Policy strategies for a sustainable food system: options for protecting the climate / Stefan Wirsenius and Fredrik Hedenus -- Meat and policy : charting a course through the complexity / Tim Lang, Michelle Wu and Martin Caraher -- Confronting policy dilemmas / Jonathon Porritt.
A clinical study on presentation, age distribution, various diagnostic methods adopted, treatment modalities being used and outcome of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Background: Gastro intestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are primary distinctive mesenchymal tumors of the gastro intestinal tract. Early diagnosis is important for better clinical outcome. The objective was to study presentation, age distribution, various diagnostic methods adopted, treatment modalities being used and outcome of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.Methods: Prospective and retrospective, descriptive study was carried out. After admission of the patient, a detailed clinical history was taken. Physical examination was carried out in detail as per the study proforma and findings were noted. All cases provisionally diagnosed as GISTS were further investigated.Results: Males and females were equally present i.e. 50% each. Pain in the abdomen was the most common clinical presentation in 66.7% of the cases. 12 cases (66.7%) of GISTs present in the stomach and 6 cases (33.3%) of GISTs present in the duodenum in various locations. Diagnostic confirmation was done for all the 18 cases by histopathology. Out of these 18 cases, 10 cases are benign GISTS (55.6%), whereas 8 cases were of malignant GISTS (44.4%). In total, among all the cases, 10 cases are spindle cell type (55.6%), 6 cases of epithelioid type (33.3%) and 2 cases of mixed cell type tumors (11.1%) are seen.Conclusions: GIST is more a disease of elder age group. CECT abdomen is a good diagnostic modality in detection of GIST. Wide excision with negative margins (2cm from tumor margin) is adequate and treatment of choice for benign tumors.
Selecting an MRI System: A Multi Criteria Decision Making Model for MRI Technicians

This article describes how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems play a crucial role in radiology, specifically in the diagnosis of diseases and management of patient treatment. The objective of this article is to present MRI technicians' perspective on the relative importance of the required factors when selecting and purchasing an MRI system. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology was used to determine the relative priorities for different criteria along with the consistency of responses. A set of criteria for MRI system were identified based on the literature and interviews with experts (i.e., MRI technicians), and organized into a rational hierarchical framework consisting of the five main criteria and nineteen sub-criteria. An online survey including demographic questions was conducted to identify the relative weights of these criteria. Survey responses from 87 technicians indicate that brand is found to be the most important criteria, followed by patient comfort, usability, technical issues, and performance. Among the sub-criteria, the highest weights are assessed for country of origin, user-friendly independent workstation, reputation, software support. The findings demonstrate the factors that can be critical discriminators between different MRI systems.
Optimum designs for breeding programmes under mass selection with an application in fish breeding

A procedure for maximizing genetic gain (after a number of generations of selection) for a given rate of inbreeding or for a given coefficient of variation of response is presented. An infinitesimal genetic model is assumed. Mass selection is practised for a number of discrete generations. With constraints on inbreeding, expected rates of genetic progress (ΔG) are combined with expeced rates of inbreeding (ΔF) in a linear objective function (Ω = ΔG - μΔF). In addition, an expression to approximate the rate of gain at any generation accounting for changes in genetic parameters due to linkage disequilibrium and due to inbreeding is derived. Predicted gain is in general within 5% of that obtained from simulation. Thus, both ΔG and ΔF are obtained from simple analytical formulae. An equivalent function is used when the coefficient of variation of response (CV) is the parameter restricted (Ω = ΔG -μCV). Maximization of the objective function Ω for appropriate values of μ gives the optimum number of sires and dams selected when specific constraints on the level of inbreeding or the coefficient of variation of response are imposed. The method is applied to a practical situation in fish breeding. Optimum mating ratios and optimum numbers of sires selected are obtained for different scored population sizes and heritabilities. Results obtained with this procedure agree very well with results from simulation studies. The optimum number of sires increases with the size of the scheme and with more severe restrictions on risk. In the schemes considered, the optimum mating ratio is equal to 2 unless the constraint on the rate of inbreeding is severe, the size of the scheme is small and the heritability is low. In these situations the optimum mating ratio is equal to 1. The procedure is general in terms of generations of selection considered and in terms of parameters to be constrained. A large amount of computer processor unit time is saved with this method in comparison with simulation procedures.
Biogas Production From Chicken Droppings

Biogas production from chicken droppings (total solids 86.5 %, moisture content 13.5%, volatile solids 64.3 %, pH, 6.7) was undertaken. Dried chicken droppings used were 2.8 kg which was added to anaerobic digester containing 3.7 liters of warm water and it was left to digest at 28 0C. Biogas production started after 7 days and reached an average amount of 72.2cm2/kg/day after three weeks. Two groups of bacteria were isolated from the digester. These were the acid formers (Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococus aureus and Escherichia coli) and the methane formers (Methanobacterium sp and Methanococcus sp). Fungi isolated include: Mucor mucedo, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium notatum. Temperature of 33.3 0C was optimum for the production of biogas (90cm3/kg/day). The resultant sludge was used to stimulate maize plant growth and the results indicated that maize plant grown on soil which had no sludge had an average height of 711 mm while those grown on the sludge had an average height of 1564 mm after fourteen days. The results of this study suggest that chicken droppings can be used for biogas production and as biofertilzer.
Explaining online Purchase Intention: Validating Technology Acceptance Model via Structural Equation Model

This study was conducted to explore the determinants affecting the intention to accept the use of technology in the online services sector by customers. Based on the theoretical model that includes the theory of technology accepting model (TAM) in this study, a revised model was proposed for a better explanation of the online service. Furthermore, the purpose of the research was to determine the impact of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and customer attitudes on online purchase intention. The proposed model was tested using survey data of 220 respondents. SPSS 22.0 and Statistica 8.0 were used for the data analysis. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results of the analysis showed that the TAM model is appropriate in the context of adopting online sales services by the customer. In addition, attitudes and perceived ease of use technology for online reservation users have been identified as the most important factor driving customers to adopt online booking.com services. Our findings through the study can allow service providers (travel agents, hostels, transportation, etc.) to develop strategies and improve their services in order to increase the adoption of technology over the Internet and accepting its use by customers.
Integrated project delivery and building information modeling: A new breed of contract

From the early part of this decade, the construction industry has been flooded with discussion about collaborative approaches to the design and construction of projects. It is clear that building information modeling (BIM) will change aspects of construction. This paper introduces basic contract terms involved in the use of BIM, the form contract documents, and the broad issues that should be of concern. This paper also presents a new and related delivery method called integrated project delivery.
Corpus Compression for Deep Reinforcement Learning in Natural Language Environments

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) offers natural solutions to interactive artificial intelligence (AI) agents, for DRL’s ability of adaptation and exploration. Many existing methods use a search engine’s retrieval function as their RL agent’s action to retrieve information and explore in an information space. What is neglected is that off-the-shelf retrieval functions are optimized over precision at top ranks and this would prevent the agent from knowing the global picture and visiting all areas in the state space. In this paper, we propose to compress an entire text corpus into a global low-dimensional representation, which grants an agent with global access to the full state space. We experiment on the Text REtrieval Conference (TREC) Dynamic Domain (DD) Track and the results show that our method outperforms the state-of-the-art dynamic search (DS) systems. A complete version of this paper has been published in the Deep Reinforcement Learning Workshop at NeurIPS 2019.
Modeling of water absorption of ultrasound applied chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) using Peleg's equation.

In this study, water absorption of chickpea was modeled with Peleg’s equation during soaking process at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 87, 92 and 97 o C without and with 25 kHz 100 W, 40 kHz 100 W and 25 kHz 300 W ultrasounds . Peleg’s rate constant, K 1 (96.28-5.43 s % -1 ) and capacity constant K 2 ( 7.45x10 -3 -5.94x10 -3 % -1 ) decreased significantly (P o C) withouth and with 25 kHz 100 W, 25 kHz 300 W ultrasounds. Decrease in K 1 and K 2 demonstrating that the water absorption rate and water absorption capacity increased with time and temperature. High power ultrasound (25 kHz 300 W) more affected the rate of water absorption of chickpea than low power ultrasounds (25 kHz 100 W). However, 40 kHz 100 W ultrasound application did not affected rate of water absorption of chickpea. Gelatinization temperature of chickpea from Peleg model was found as 61 o C. Also, Activation energy (E a ) values of chickpea for below and above 60 o C was found as 34 . 74 and 12.35 kJ mol -1 , respectively. Peleg model was succesfully fitted to correlate water absorption of chickpea with soaking time and temperature.