Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Small Molecules for Neuroectoderm differentiation & patterning using Factorial Experimental Design

Screening for therapeutic compounds and treatments for diseases of the Brain does not only encompass the successful generation of iPS-derived homogenous neural stem cell populations but also the capacity of the differentiation protocol to derive on-demand region-specific cells. Νoggin, a human recombinant protein, has been extensively used in neural induction protocols but its high production costs and batch-to-batch variation have switched the focus to utilizing small molecules that can substitute noggin. Resultantly, the aim of this study was to optimize neuroepithelial stem cell generation in a cost-efficient fashion as well as to evaluate the impact that patterning factors (i.e. small molecules or proteins that enhance the emergence of type-specific neuronal populations) have on the regionality of the neural stem cell population. Findings in this study suggest that DMH1 is indeed a small molecule that can replace noggin in neural induction protocols as previously documented in literature; DMHI appears also to have a ventralizing effect on the generated neural population.
An exploratory analysis of wineries websites functionality: the case of the DOQ Priorat Route Wineries

Wine tourism has emerged as a branch of special interest tourism in recent years. There are numerous wine regions where tourism is used as a strategic tool to promote rural areas and increase competitiveness. Likewise, the Internet has become an extremely useful marketing tool to promote and disseminate tourism products. The aim of this paper is to analyze the usability of DOQ Priorat Route wineries websites. The paper examines the presence of wineries members of the route on the Internet and the quality of their websites, taking various elements into consideration: information relating to the company, information relating to the website usability and information relating to the wine tourism products and activities developed. Findings reveal the restricted presence of this wineries on Internet, the low tourism usability of their websites as a marketing tool, and the lack of real commitment to the Priorat Wine Route and to wine tourism.
Isolation, Characterization and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Seed Extract of Jatropha gossypifolia

Powdered seed of J. gossypifolia was macerated using methanol as extracting solvent. The seed extract of Jatropha gossypifolia was subjected to phytochemical and antimicrobial investigation using standard screening procedures. The phytochemical studies revealed the presence of some secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, saponins, tannins. There was no activity against the bacteria (Gram positive and negative organisms at 2.5-100mg/ml). The seed extract showed significant antifungal activity. The spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2DNMR) of the colourless oil gave 9-acetoxynerolidol. Keywords: Extraction, characterization, Jatropha gossipyfolia , antimicrobial evaluation
Trading wind energy on the basis of probabilistic forecasts both of wind generation and of market quantities

Wind power is not easily predictable and non-dispatchable. Nevertheless, wind power producers are increasingly urged to participate in electricity market auctions in the same manner as conventional power producers. The aim of this paper is to propose an operational strategy for trading wind energy in liberalized electricity markets and to assess its performance. At first, the so-called optimal quantile strategy is revisited. It is proved that without market power, i.e. under the price-taker assumption, this strategy maximizes expected market revenues. Forecasts of wind power production, of day-ahead and real-time market prices and of the system imbalance are inputs to this strategy. Subsequently, constraining of the bid that maximizes the expected revenues is proposed as a way to overcome the strategy's disregard of practical limitations and, at the same time, of risk. Two constraining techniques are introduced: constraining in the decision space and in the probability space. Finally, the trade of a wind power producer is simulated in a test case for the Eastern Danish (DK-2) price area of the Nordic Power Exchange (Nord Pool) during a 10 month period in 2008. The results of the test case show the financial benefits of the aforementioned strategy as well as the consequent interaction with the electricity market. This study will support a demonstration in the framework of the EU project ANEMOS.plus. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inner Peripheries: an oxymoron or a real challenge for territorial cohesion?

Inner Peripheries remain, in many ways, territorial enigmas. Their geographical distribution is unknown, and the process through which they are formed is poorly understood. Little is known about how their geographical distribution has evolved over time. From the point of view of policy action, there are few examples of dedicated schemes and programs to halt or ameliorate the deprivation processes by which some inner areas become lagging and peripheral. It is fair to say that the principles and practice of policy responses to halt or ameliorate their marginalisation are poorly developed. This paper explores the origin of the inner periphery concept, proposes practical methods to delimit and map inner peripheries in Europe, and considers the potential policy implications.
Stream Filtering in StreamRay: An Architecture for Coherent Ray Tracing

The wide availability of commodity graphics processors has made real-time graphics an intrinsic component of the human/computer interface. These graphics cores accelerate the z-buffer algorithm and provide a highly interactive experience at a relatively low cost. However, many applications in entertainment, science, medicine, etc. require higher quality lighting effects such as accurate shadows and reflections. These effects are difficult to achieve with z-buffer algorithms but are much easier to achieve using ray tracing. Ray tracing is computationally more complex, but has better scaling and parallelism properties than the z-buffer approach. However, ray tracing patterns are difficult to predict and therefore, the parallelism promise is hard to achieve. This paper highlights a novel ray tracing approach based on stream filtering, and presents StreamRay, a multi-core wide SIMD machine that employs efficient address generation mechanisms to form a stream of rays for highly parallel SIMD execution. Results demonstrate that StreamRay delivers interactive frame rates of 15-25 fps for scenes of high geometric complexity while sustaining high utilization for SIMD widths of up to 16 elements.
Effect of Salinity on Growth and Leaf Photosynthesis of Two Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) Cultivars

This study investigated the variation between two sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars with respect to growth parameters and photosynthetic rates of individual attached leaves during salinization. Sugar beet plants grown in sand culture were gradually exposed to different levels of salinity (0, 50, 150 , 250, and 350 mM, NaCl+CaCl 2 in 5:1 ratio). Salt concentrations significantly decreased all growth traits. At the highest level of salinity (350 mM), cv 7233- P 29 showed a significantly higher leaf area and total dry matter than Madison after eight weeks of salt treatment commencment. Net photosynthesis (A CO2) and stomatal conductance (gs) were strongly affected by salinity. The Na + and Cl concentrations in shoots significantly increased as salt concentration increased. Net photosynthesis (A CO2) was plotted against computed leaf internal CO 2 concentration (C i), and the initial slope of this A CO2-Ci curve was used as a measure of photosynthetic ability. Leaves from plants exposed to 50 mM salinity showed little change in photosynthesis, whereas those treated by high levels of salinity had up to 91.5% inhibition in photosynthetic rates and an increase in CO 2 compensation point. Leaf chlorophyll content increased with increasing salinity. Although partial stomatal closure occurred with salinization, reductions in photosynthesis were partly non-stomatal at high levels of salt treatment.
A resistor/transconductor network for linear fitting

We present a continuous time analog VLSI CMOS circuit consisting of resistors and transconductors for computing the best-fit line to a set of data points. The circuit can implement standard least-squares linear fitting, as well as a form of linear fitting that is more robust to outliers. We analyze the static and transient response of the chip, and present design criteria given desired constraints on speed and accuracy. Finally, we describe the transistor level design and measurement results from a 50-input prototype fabricated using a 1.2 /spl mu/m n-well process.
Islandness and remoteness as resources : evidence from the tourism performance of small remote island economies (SRIES)

Small remote island economies are known to face a number of economic challenges, in particular, in their trade relations. In addition, their geographical handicap—remoteness—enhances their vulnerability. The cost of distance is well-documented in the economics literature. This paper takes an optimistic position and puts forward the strengths of islands. It investigates the impact of remoteness and islandness on tourism performance. Remote islands are found to be well-endowed in nature and scenery which plausibly play a major role in promoting tourism. The results of an empirical analysis favour the hypothesis that nature has a positive impact on tourism performance (revealed comparative advantage) and tourism demand. Interestingly while being distant is detrimental to tourism performance, being both an island and remote is favourable. Tourism demand is negatively affected by being an island, a small country, or a remote country but favoured by being a small island or a remote island.
Multi-Resolution Image Fusion by FFT VPS Naidu

Multi-resolution image analysis by Fast Fourier Transform (MFFT) algorithm has been presented and evaluated for pixel level image fusion. The idea is to apply simple and proven technique of FFT to image fusion. The performance of this algorithm is compared with that of well known wavelet based image fusion technique. It is observed that the performance of image fusion by MFFT is slightly better than wavelet based image fusion algorithm. It is computationally very simple and it could be well suited for real time applications. KeywordsMulti resolution, Image fusion, FFT, image processing, wavelets, fusion quality, fusion rule;
Long Term Effects of Benzylpiperazine and possible Amelioration by Environmental Enrichment A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Psychology

1 1.0 Introduction.2 1.1 General Introduction.2 1.2 Adolescent development and Brain Vulnerability.3 1.3 Benzylpiperazine.6 1.4 Addictive potential of BZP and Long Term Effects.8 1.5 Environmental Enrichment.10 1.6 Sex Differences.12 2.0 Aims and Hypothesis.15 3.0 Method.16 3.1 Subjects.16 3.2 Drug Dose.17 3.3 Apparatus and Behavioural Procedures.17 3.4 Y Maze.18 3.5 Elevated Plus Maze.19 3.6 Light Dark Box.19 3.7 Open Field.20 4.0 Results.21 4.1 Y Maze PND 60.21 4.2 Y Maze PND 100.25 4.3 Elevated plus PND 60.26 4.4 Elevated Plus PND 100.29 4.5 Light Dark Box PND 60.31 4.6 Light Dark Box PND 100.35 4.7 Open Field PND 60.41 4.8 Open Field PND 100.46
HYBRID AUTOMATIC BUILDING INTERPRETATION SYSTEM

Abstract. HABIS (Hybrid Automatic Building Interpretation System) is a system for an automatic reconstruction of building roofs used in virtual 3D building models. Unlike most of the commercially available systems, HABIS is able to work to a high degree automatically. The hybrid method uses different sources intending to exploit the advantages of the particular sources. 3D point clouds usually provide good height and surface data, whereas spatial high resolution aerial images provide important information for edges and detail information for roof objects like dormers or chimneys. The cadastral data provide important basis information about the building ground plans. The approach used in HABIS works with a multi-stage-process, which starts with a coarse roof classification based on 3D point clouds. After that it continues with an image based verification of these predicted roofs. In a further step a final classification and adjustment of the roofs is done. In addition some roof objects like dormers and chimneys are also extracted based on aerial images and added to the models. In this paper the used methods are described and some results are presented.
Frontogenesis and frontolysis of the subpolar front in the surface mixed layer of the Japan Sea

The frontogenesis and frontolysis processes of the subpolar front (SPF) in the surface mixed layer of the Japan Sea are investigated using state-of-the-art oceanic reanalysis data. The SPF experiences a 9 month weakening period from January to September, which shifts to a strengthening period in October. Our analysis shows that horizontal advection consistently contributes to the intensification of the SPF. After September, as the weakening effect of surface heat flux diminishes, horizontal advection becomes the dominant factor that contributes to changes in the SPF strength. Thus, the SPF enters a 3 month strengthening period. The geostrophic component of horizontal advection provides the most important contribution to strengthening the SPF, acting to intensify the SPF year-round. Ekman advection also promotes SPF strengthening with a smaller but still important contribution. During the weakening period, SPF strength is largely controlled by heat flux. The heat flux, especially the shortwave radiation component, is the primary cause of the surface front disappearance in the summer.
A Robust Method For Per Colorant ChannelColor QR Code

A QR (Quick Response) code is a special type of barcode that can encode information like numbers, letters, and any other characters. The capacity of a given QR code depends on the version and error correction level, as well as on the type of data that you are encoding. Here the color QR code framework for mobile phone applications by exploiting the spectral diversity afforded by the cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) print colorant channels commonly used for color printing and the complementary red (R), green (G), and blue (B) channels, respectively, used for capturing color images. Specifically, the exploitation of this spectral diversity to realize a three-fold increase in the data rate by encoding independent data in the C, M, and Y print colorant channels and decoding the data from the complementary R, G, and B channels. In most cases Reed-Solomon error correction codes will be used for generating error correction codeword’s. Here there is a add bit based channel code is also used along with block based reed Solomon code to increase the interference cancellation rate. Experimental results will show that the proposed framework successfully overcomes both single and burst errors and also providing a low bit error rate and a high decoding rate for each of the colorant channels when used with a corresponding error correction scheme.Colorant channels that provide three different primary colors at RGB mode which select the code that convert the actual value to the proposed frame work that calculates interference cancellation rate. Reed Solomon error correction code is used here which reduces the interference.
Individualism-collectivism: a tale of two countries

The purpose of this study is to examine the level of individualism-collectivism of managers in Malaysia and Australia. This study revealed that there are significant differences between Malaysian and Australian managers on the levels of vertical individualism, horizontal collectivism, and vertical collectivism. The results of this study may be of interest and assistance to managers of multinational and international organizations who need to manage in global contexts and, therefore, need to understand cultural-driven differences in personal and interpersonal work-related conditions between and across nations. The implications of the study findings to organizations and directions for future research are also discussed.
Spatial Analysis of Market Linkages in North Carolina Using Threshold Autoregression Models with Variable Transaction Costs

In North Carolina, where soybeans and corn are the two primary crops, the recent increase in the demand for U.S. corn has triggered a shift of farm acreage from soybeans to corn, leading to a rapid rise in prices of both commodities. However, the rate of the price changes, as well as the price level, is significantly different in markets that are located in different parts of the state. This study extends the literature that examines linkages between spatially separated markets by using a threshold autoregressive model with a less restrictive assumption for estimating the transaction cost neutral band -- the band within which trade is not profitable. This generalization allows the neutral band of transactions costs to change according to various external factors, including fuel costs and seasonality. The estimation results indicate that for longer time series data, variable thresholds models statistically outperform the constant thresholds specification, and may provide a better representation of corn and soybean price data. Additionally, impulse response functions that use the asymmetric variable threshold model parameters indicate that the magnitude of the shock as well as the time-to-price-parity-equilibrium in the linked markets may be underestimated if a constant thresholds specification is implemented.
Spanish-Moroccan families in a context of family diversity in Spain: challenges for the construction of interculturalism

This paper presents an analytical approach to the reality of Spanish-Moroccan families in Spain, constructed from two areas of data collection. The first was collected from available intermarriage data (in which at least one of the two members of the couple was Moroccan) and the second from the available data about children of these unions. The analyses were performed using official data collected in the Statistical Bulletin of Birth from the National Institute of Statistics (NIS henceforth). Since 2008, the Moroccan community has constituted the second largest contingent of foreign residents in Spain (after Romanians), although its historical trajectory places them as the immigration group with higher sociodemographic relevance. The Moroccan migration is the result of young people who marry at young ages with a strong trend toward marrying homogamously within their own national group who journey to Spain and reside primarily in larger regions such as Madrid, Valencia, Andalusia and Catalonia. The results of this study indicate that couples who are both Moroccan parents show some different marriage patterns when compared to couples where only one parent is of this nationality.
Preliminary Studies on Insect Pest Incidence on Tomato in Bama, Borno State, Nigeria

This study assessed the insect pest infestation of tomato during 2011 and 2012 in three localities namely Bula Kuliye, Kajeri and Soye of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria. Fifty plants were randomly checked per farmers’ field for insect pest recovery and count. Sampling was carried out in five to nine farmers’ fields per locality. With 38-52 %, 9-62 %, 13-39 % and 5-9 % species composition respectively across localities, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) followed by Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) were more predominant insect pests of tomato in these localities over Tetranychus sp. (Acari: Tetranichidae) and Spodoptera litoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Total proportion of infested tomato plants per farmers’ field ranged from 19-36 %, and was significantly higher in Bula Kuliye and Kajeri than in Soye. Total number of insect pests per plant/leave and bored fruits per farmers’ field fell between 2-5 and 21-35, and likewise, was higher in Bula Kuliye and Kajeri than in Soye. Although tomato plant infestation and fruit damage were found to be moderate or high in these localities, future studies on the bionomics or population dynamics of these insects remain essential for establishing their economic status.
Weight Distribution of Periodic Errors and Optimal/Anti-Optimal Linear Codes

The paper discusses weight distribution of periodic errors and then the optimal case on bounds of parity check digits for (, ) linear codes over that corrects all periodic errors of order in the first block of length and all periodic errors of order in the second block of length and no others. Further, we extend the study to the case when the errors are in the form of periodic errors of order (and ) or more in the two subblocks.
Drilling for the Archean Roots of Life and Tectonic Earth in the Barberton Mountains

In the Barberton Scientific Drilling Program (BSDP) we successfully completed three drill holes in 2008 across strategically selected rock formations in the early Archean Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa. This collaborative project’s goal is to advance understanding of geodynamic and biogeochemical processes of the young Earth. The program aims to better define and characterize Earth’s earliest preserved ocean crust shear zones and microbial borings in Archean basaltic glass, and to identify biogeochemical fingerprints of ancient ecological niches recorded in rocks. The state-of-the-art analytical and imaging work will address the question of earliest plate tectonics in the Archean, the δ18O composition, the redox state and temperature of Archean seawater, and the origin of life question.
Effects of Carbohydrate-Based and Protein-Carbohydrate Rations on Wild Bobwhite Nesting and Harvest Demographics

Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) reproduction is a nutrient-intensive process. Arthropods are essential for breeding bobwhite hens and their offspring. Traditional supplemental feeding programs use corn and milo and typically neglect the protein needs of bobwhites. Commercial bobwhite rations are widely available but are seldom used in feeding programs due to high cost and lack of an appropriate supplement for field use. We compared the effect of a protein-carbohydrate ration (PC) to the effects of a carbohydrate only ration (CO) on: (1) bobwhite hen nesting demographics (clutch size, ordinal clutch initiation date, Mayfield nest survival), and (2) fall relative abundance (coveys moved/hr hunting). Nesting parameters for bobwhites based on a sample of 60 hens during the 2008 breeding season in South Texas were statistically similar based on overlap of 95% confidence intervals for both the PC and CO supplements. Mayfield nest success was high for both the PC ration (75.2%) and the CO ration (73.1%). Coveys moved during hunting (4.17 6 14 coveys/hr in pastures with CO feed and 4.2 6 12.5 coveys/hr in pastures with PC feed) did not differ during the 2008–2009 hunting season. The 2009 nesting season was a failure because all study animals died due to drought. Weekly Kaplan-Meier survival estimates of bobwhite hens were 6 times higher in 2008 than in 2009. The PC ration in our study provided no benefit to bobwhite populations or enhancement of wild bobwhite reproductive parameters over the CO ration. The additional cost of using PC over CO is not justified based on our results. Citation: Tri, A. N. , F. Hernández, D. G. Hewitt, W. P. Kuvlesky Jr., and L. A. Brennan. 2012. Effects of carbohydrate-based and proteincarbohydrate rations on wild bobwhite nesting and demographics. Proceedings of the National Quail Symposium 7:101–106.