Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of two noninvasive techniques to measure total body lipid in live birds

ABSTRAcr. -Total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) and near infrared interactance (IRI) are noninvasive techniques with potential utility for monitoring body composition of freeranging birds or captive experimental subjects. I used live Northern Bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) to validate these methods for estimation of total body lipid. Total body electrical conductivity and IRI measurements were compared with body composition as determined by solvent extraction of carcasses. I measured IRI at three body sites (subscapular, pectoralis, and subfemoral) on 42 bobwhites. Only the subscapular and pectoralis sites yielded IRI measurements that were significantly correlated with percent body lipid, but IRI from these sites explained only 17.5% and 10.0% of the variation in percent body lipid, respectively. The cause of the low correlations is unknown, but it was not a function of differences in subject posture or light-wand position between replicate measures on the same subject. Total body electrical conductivity measurements explained 92% of the variation in lean body mass in a sample of 62 bobwhites. Measurements were affected by small differences in subject movement and position in the measurement chamber. There was no significant difference in TOBEC of subjects with or without aluminum leg bands. Measurements obtained from the same subjects with two different SA-1 TOBEC analyzers were not significantly different. The residuals about the regression of TOBEC against lean body mass were not correlated significantly with body temperature, but were significantly correlated with hydration. Total body electrical conductivity explained 99.1% of the variation in lean body mass when only those data from normally hydrated and properly restrained subjects were included (n = 38). Estimated body lipid from TOBEC measurements was highly correlated with total body lipid (R = 0.96) as determined by solvent extraction. The 95% confidence limits from the inverse regression procedure for the estimate of total body lipid from TOBEC measurements were ? 4.75 g at 25 g lipid, ? 4.85 g at 10 g lipid, and ? 5.62 g at 50 g lipid. Estimated total body lipid from TOBEC measurements was on average within 10% of total body lipid from solvent extraction. Although IRI analysis failed to yield a suitable index to body composition, TOBEC analysis provided an accurate estimate of total body lipid in live bobwhites. Received 30 July 1990, accepted 4 December 1990.
Toward a distributed architecture for context awareness in ubiquitous computing

The applications in Ubiquitous Computing (UbiComp) environments must be aware of their contexts of interest and adapt to changes in them. Thus, a major research challenge in the area of UbiComp is related to context awareness. Considering the high distribution, heterogeneity, dynamism, and mobility of ubiquitous environments, this paper presents an architectural model for context awareness, called EXEHDAUC (Execution Environment for Highly Distributed Applications - Ubiquitous Context awareness). The proposal includes elements to support contextual data acquisition, actuation in the environment, and processing of contextual information. We consider that the main contribution of this work is an architecture that supports the managing of the acquisition, storage, and processing of context data, in a distributed way, independently of the application, in an autonomic and rule-based perspective. To assess the functionalities of the EXEHDA-UC, we present a case study, highlighting the prototypes developed, technologies employed, and tests carried out. Keywords: ubiquitous computing, context awareness, distributed architecture.
A field evaluation of a single sampler for respirable and inhalable indium and dust measurements at an indium-tin oxide manufacturing facility

Abstract Indium-tin oxide production has increased greatly in the last 20 years subsequent to increased global demand for touch screens and photovoltaics. Previous studies used measurements of indium in blood as an indicator of indium exposure and observed associations with adverse respiratory outcomes. However, correlations between measurements of blood indium and airborne respirable indium are inconsistent, in part because of the long half-life of indium in blood, but also because respirable indium measurements do not incorporate inhalable indium that can contribute to the observed biological burden. Information is lacking on relationships between respirable and inhalable indium exposure, which have implications for biological indicators like blood indium. The dual IOM sampler includes the foam disc insert and can simultaneously collect respirable and inhalable aerosol. Here, the field performance of the dual IOM sampler was evaluated by comparing performance with the respirable cyclone and traditional IOM for respirable and inhalable indium and dust exposure, respectively. Side-by-side area air samples were collected throughout an indium-tin oxide manufacturing facility. Cascade impactors were used to determine particle size distribution. Several statistical methods were used to evaluate the agreement between the pairs of samplers including calculating the concordance correlation coefficient and its accuracy and precision components. One-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of dust concentration on sampler differences. Respirable indium measurements showed better agreement (concordance correlation coefficient: 0.932) compared to respirable dust measurements (concordance correlation coefficient: 0.777) with significant differences observed in respirable dust measurements. The dual IOM measurements had high agreement with the traditional IOM for inhalable indium (concordance correlation coefficient: 0.997) but lower agreement for inhalable dust (concordance correlation coefficient: 0.886 and accuracy: 0.896) with a significantly large mean bias (-146.9 µg/m3). Dust concentration significantly affected sampler measurements of inhalable dust and inhalable indium. Results from this study suggest that the dual IOM is a useful single sampler for simultaneous measurements of occupational exposure to respirable and inhalable indium.
Experimental Performance Analysis for 2G/3G Cellular Networks based on Mobile Terminals

This work presents the experimental results related to performance measurements in GSM, EDGE and WCDMA cellular data networks. Two Mobile Terminals were used, in order to take place the scenario. Power Level, Power vs Time, Modulation Analysis, Modulation Spectrum, (BER) Bit Error Rate and Throughput were considered in this analysis. Keywords: Component; GSM; EDGE; WCDMA; BER/BLER; Throughput DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/jie.v8i1-2.5094 Journal of the Institute of Engineering Vol. 8, No. 1&2, 2010/2011 Page : 25-38 Uploaded Date : 19 July, 2011
Influence of climate on durum wheat production and use of remote sensing and weather data to predict quality and quantity of harvests

Climate conditions severely affect crop production, influencing plant responses and harvest characteristics. For the growers of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) an important aspect, in addition to yield, is the grain quality taking into account that it is closely related to the flour properties and therefore to the quality of resulting pasta. The study analyzes the influence of rainfall and temperatures on the winter durum wheat productions and the predictive role of meteorological and satellite indices at large scale (NDVI). Results show a significant negative correlation between precipitation and grain protein concentration. On the other hand, increasing temperatures were associated with grain protein accumulation, while negative correlations were found with kernel specific weight and yield. NDVI recorded during the crop cycle resulted descriptive of all productive variables, showing the suitability to be integrated with the weather information in a local forecasting system. Keywords: Triticum durum, protein content, specific weight, meteorological information, NDVI. Riassunto: Le condizioni climatiche hanno un notevole impatto sulle produzioni agrarie, influenzando la risposta della piante e le caratteristiche del raccolto. Per i coltivatori di frumento duro (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) un importante aspetto, oltre alla resa, e la qualita della granella, in considerazione del fatto che questa e strettamente legata alle proprieta della farina e quindi alla qualita della pasta prodotta. Lo studio analizza l'influenza delle precipitazioni e della temperatura sulla produzione di grano duro ed il ruolo che puo essere svolto da indici calcolati a partire da dati meteorologici e satellitari su vasta scala (NDVI), al fine di sviluppare un sistema di previsione della qualita e della quantita dei raccolti. I risultati mostrano una correlazione negativa tra le piogge e il contenuto proteico della granella. D'altra parte, temperature crescenti risultano associate ad un accumulo di proteine, mentre determinano una diminuzione del peso specifico e della resa. L'NDVI durante il ciclo colturale e risultato descrittivo di tutte le variabili produttive mostrando l'idoneita ad essere integrato con le informazioni meteorologiche in un sistema di previsione locale. Parole chiave: Triticum durum, contenuto proteico, peso specifico, informazioni meteorologiche, NDVI.
Hair cortisol levels and symptoms of anxiety and depression in Chinese adolescents: Comparison between incarcerated and community populations

Hair cortisol has been proposed as a temporally integrated measure of systemic cortisol suitable for studies of chronic stress. We compared hair cortisol and depressive and anxiety symptoms between two groups of healthy male adolescents differing in exposure to chronic stress, one attending regular high school (n = 33) and the other incarcerated for 11-867 days in juvenile detention (n = 29), and examined the association of hair cortisol and depressive and anxiety symptoms among all adolescents. Hair cortisol was determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, and depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured by the Self-Rating Depression and Anxiety Scales. Hair samples (1-cm segments closest to the scalp at the posterior vertex) were collected 2 weeks after psychometric testing. Results revealed that incarcerated adolescents showed significantly more anxiety and depression symptoms, and higher hair cortisol levels than high school adolescents (ps < .05). The regression results revealed that hair cortisol levels could negatively predict depression symptoms (p < .05) but could not predict anxiety symptoms (p > .05) among all adolescents from the two groups. In summary, incarcerated adolescents experienced significantly higher chronic stress than high school adolescents. Hair cortisol showed a negative association with depression symptoms and no association with anxiety symptoms among adolescents with different exposures to chronic stress.
Expansion of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Using Microcarriers and Human Platelet Lysate

level: intermediate C ell therapy holds the promise of delivering the next generation of future medical breakthroughs. In this respect, multipotent progenitor cells such as human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have attracted high clinical interest because of their ability to differentiate into various cell types and their immunoregulatory properties. Furthermore, hMSCs express only low levels of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC I) molecules on their surfaces and are therefore invisible to a host’s immune system. Finally, hMSCs can actively suppress the innate immune system by expressing a number of secreted factors such as factor H and human leukocyte antigen G5 (HLA-G5). Together, those features enable the allogeneic use of hMSCs and thus make them an attractive target for commercial therapeutic development. Allogeneic therapies have the advantage over autologous therapies of the potential for centralized manufacturing, storage, and distribution similar to classical therapeutic agents such as small molecules and biologics. In addition, allogeneic cell therapies can be produced at large scales, which will be imperative to ensure commercial viability. Currently, large-scale expansion of hMSCs is mostly performed using traditional f latbed cultures (e.g., in f lasks) and multilayer vessels such as 10-layer and 40-layer stacked trays, enabling lot sizes of 10–50 billion cells (1). Although such lot sizes are sufficient to satisfy the needs of clinical development, it is widely believed that multilayer vessels will not constitute a cost-effective approach for marketed products. Thus, significant efforts are under way to develop alternatives to f latbed cultures. One promising approach is the expansion of hMSCs on microcarriers in stirred-tank bioreactors (2–4). This technology will allow for development of scaled-up processes in which expansion can go from small-scale vessels (e.g., 3 L) to large vessels (e.g., 1,000 L). Although such processes are still in development, it can be estimated that a single 1,000-L bioreactor could provide enough cells to produce thousands of clinical hMSC doses. Thus, microcarrierbased expansion of hMSCs offers an attractive process for allogeneic cell therapy products. In addition to the choice of platform technology, the composition of a cell culture medium used for hMSCs is of significant concern for development of allogeneic cell therapy products. To date, nearly all such products in clinical trials require added serum in their growth media for expansion, most prominently fetal bovine serum (FBS). But that poses an important risk because current good manufacturing practice (CGMP)–quality FBS is of limited Immunocytochemical staining shows cultured human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells stained with STRO-1 and CD90 antibodies. Nuclei of the cells are visualized using DAPI (blue).
Thermohaline mixing in super-AGB stars

Aims. We present the first study of the effects of thermohaline mixing on the structure and evolution of solar-composition super-AGB (SAGB) stars in the mass range $9{-}11$ ${M_\odot}$. Methods. We developed and analyzed stellar models taking into account thermohaline mixing and varying mixing efficiencies. Results. In SAGB stars, thermohaline mixing becomes important after carbon has been ignited off-center and it affects significantly the propagation of the flame. In the radiative layers located below the convective carbon-burning zone, a molecular weight inversion is created which allows the efficient transport of chemicals. The outward diffusion of 12 C from the CO-rich core into the flame, depletes the burning front of fuel and causes the extinction of the flame before it reaches the center. As a consequence the amount of unburnt carbon can be as high as $2{-}5\%$ in mass at the center of the star. During the subsequent thermally pulsing SAGB phase, the high temperature at the base of the convective envelope prevents the development of thermohaline instabilities associated with 3 He burning as found in low-mass red giant stars. Conclusions. In contrast to the case of low-mass RGB stars, thermohaline mixing is unable to alter the surface composition of SAGB stars. We also emphasize that if the SAGB star evolves into an electron-capture supernovae, the 12 C remaining in the core may alter the hydrodynamical explosion and modify the explosive nucleosynthesis.
Non-iterative Neural-like Predictor for Solar Energy in Libya

In this paper, a new method for predicting the solar radiation potential in Libya was developed. It is constructed on the basis of the combined use of RBF and non-iterative paradigm of the artificial neural networks construction the Successive Geometric Transformations Model. This method has the advantages of both approaches the high prediction accuracy from RBF characteristics and fast non-iterative learning provided by the Successive Geometric Transformations Model. A series of practical experiments were conducted. The training model contained 1440 vectors of the monthly solar radiation, which recorded in 25 Libya's cities from 2010 to 2015. The test model contained 360 data’s vectors. Comparison of the proposed method with existing ones is presented. The proposed method showed the best prediction results (MAPE, RMSE) compared to SVM, Linear Regression, the linear Neural-like structure of the Successive Geometric Transformation Model (SGTM), and the RBF based on the NLS SGTM. The proposed approach can be used in different areas, such as e-commerce, material science, images processing and others, especially in Big Data cases.
Key Substitution Attacks on Lattice Signature Schemes Based on SIS Problem

The notion of key substitution security on digital signatures in the multiuser setting has been proposed by Menezes and Smart in 2004. Along with the unforgeability of signature, the key substitution security is very important since it is a critical requirement for the nonrepudiation and the authentication of the signature. Lattice-based signature is a promising candidate for post-quantum cryptography, and the unforgeability of each scheme has been relatively well studied. In this paper, we present key substitution attacks on BLISS, Lyubashevsky’s signature scheme, and GPV and thus show that these signature schemes do not provide nonrepudiation. We also suggest how to avoid key substitution attack on these schemes.
The combined effects of salinity and excess boron on mineral ion relations in broccoli

Two plant stress factors, salinity and high levels of boron, often co-occur in natural and agricultural environments. Many investigations have been conducted to document the influence of the combined stresses on crop growth and yield. Only limited information, however, is available concerning the combined effects of the two stresses on mineral ion uptake and partitioning to shoot organs and tissues. Data for this study were obtained from an experiment conducted in greenhouse sand cultures with two water types: (1) a chloride-dominated system, and (2) sulfate-dominated waters characteristic of those present in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Each saline composition treatment was tested at three salinity levels (2, 12, 18 dS m−1) and three B concentrations (0.046, 1.11, 2.22 mM; 0.5, 12, 24 mg L−1). The gradient in B distribution in individual leaves sampled midseason was steep, with less boron accumulating in petioles than in the blades. The highest B concentrations (>100 mmol B kg−1 dry weight) were found in leaf margins of plants grown in the low salinity-high boron treatments. These leaves were cupped upward, an unusual visual symptom characteristic of B toxicity. At final harvest, concentrations of B, Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Cl were highest in the oldest leaves on the broccoli shoots, decreasing acropetally to the heads. Total-P, however, was highest in broccoli heads, decreasing in the older tissues. Leaf-B accumulation was more closely related to salinity rather than to the concentration of Cl in the irrigation waters. Analysis of variance indicated that substrate B had little effect on Cl accumulation in salt-stressed broccoli leaves regardless of water type. No clear cut relationships were evident that would explain the reciprocal effects of B and Cl on crop yields. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Reproducible Research is like riding a bike

Reproducibility is a fundamental pillar in science but it has recently been described as hard and challenging to achieve, as stated in numerous editorials and papers, some of which alert on a “reproducibility crisis”. In this article we outline 1/ the approach taken to put Reproducible Research (RR) in the agenda of the GIScience community, 2/ first actions and initial lessons learned towards the discussion and adoption of RR principles and practices in the workflows and habits of researchers, and finally, we present 3/ our short-term strategy (two years) and specific actions to achieve the main goal of making RR an integral part of scientific workflows of the GIScience community.
Cloud-Computing-Based Rick Control System for Making Information Technology Outsourcing Secure

Though the information technology outsourcing (ITO) can help many companies to reduce the total costs of their information technology (IT) projects and seek a more efficient allocation of resources, the ITO-based projects probably have the insecure risks of unexpected costs and even the failure of the whole project. After the quantitative analysis with the principal-agent theory towards the security problem of the ITO-based projects, a new incentive reward-punishment model was proposed in this paper, in order to reduce the ITO insecure risk and generate optimal contract under the asymmetric information condition. The experimental results show that the construction of the new model has positive significance for guiding the outsourcing enterprise management in security.
Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy improves survival and reduces treatment time in squamous cell carcinoma of the anus: A National Cancer Data Base study

Chemoradiation with 5‐fluorouracil and mitomycin remains the standard of care for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the anal canal. A prolonged treatment time is associated with inferior disease‐specific outcomes. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group trial 0529 demonstrated decreased toxicity and fewer treatment breaks with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), but this has not been assessed in a randomized trial. Using data from the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), this study evaluated the impact of IMRT on treatment time and survival in anal SCC.
Evening electronic device use and sleep patterns in athletes

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to investigate pre-sleep behaviours (including evening electronic device use) and sleep quantity in well-trained athletes. Seventy well-trained athletes (44 females, 26 males) aged 21 ± 4 y from a range of team and individual sports were asked to complete an online sleep diary for 7 days. The sleep diary included questions about pre-sleep behaviours (e.g. napping, caffeine intake), electronic device use in the 2 h prior to bedtime (e.g. type of device and duration of use) and sleep (e.g. time in bed, sleep onset latency). On average, athletes spent 8:20 ± 1:21 h in bed each night. Associations between age, time in bed and sleepiness suggested that younger athletes spent more time in bed (B = -0.05, p = 0.001) but felt sleepier (r = -0.32, p < 0.01) than older athletes. On average, athletes mostly used electronic devices for 0–30 min prior to sleep. The use of multiple devices in the evening was associated with more perceived difficulty in falling asleep (B = 0.22, p = 0.03), but no associations existed with other sleep variables. In summary, younger athletes may require later start times or improved sleep quality to resolve excessive sleepiness.