Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Response of Nutrient-Limited Forests to CO"2 Enrichment; Equilibrium Behavior of Plant-Soil Models.

Established process-based models of forest biomass production in relation to atmospheric CO"2 concentration (McMurtrie 1991) and soil carbon/nutrient dynamics (Parton et al. 1987) are integrated to derive the @'Generic Decomposition and Yield@' model (G'DAY). The model is used to describe how photosynthesis and nutritional factors interact to determine the productivity of forests growing under nitrogen-limited conditions. A simulated instantaneous doubling of atmospheric CO"2 concentration leads to a growth response that is initially large (27% above productivity at current CO"2) but declines to <10% elevation within 5 yr. The decline occurs because increases in photosynthetic carbon gain at elevated CO"2 are not matched by increases in nutrient supply. Lower foliar N concentrations at elevated CO"2 have two countervailing effects on forest production: decreased rates of N cycling between vegetation and soils (with negative consequences for productivity), and reduced rates of N loss through gaseous emission, fire, and leaching. Theoretical analysis reveals that there is an enduring response to CO"2 enrichment, but that the magnitude of the long-term equilibrium response is extremely sensitive to the assumed rate of gaseous emission resulting from mineralization of nitrogen. Theory developed to analyze G'DAY is applicable to other published production-decomposition models describing the partitioning of soil carbon among compartments with widely differing decay-time constants.
Analytical model for a saturated Permanent Magnet Assisted Synchronous Reluctance Motor

This paper presents an electromagnetic analytical model for a Permanent Magnet Assisted Synchronous Reluctance Motor (PMA-SRM). The proposed model is based on the Maxwell equations: Ampere's theorem and the flux conservation law. The stator and rotor magnetic saturation are considered, as well as the effect of the magnetic bridges of the flux barriers. The goal is to compute the motor performances (average torque, voltage and power factor) for several current values and current angles. The analytical model results are compared to those from a Finite Element Model (FEM) and are subsequently validated by an experimental prototype.
GM‐CSF induces expression of gp91phox and stimulates retinoic acid‐induced p47phox expression in human myeloblastic leukemia cells

Abstract: All‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combined with granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) synergistically increases superoxide‐generating activity in human myeloblastic leukemia ML‐1 cells. ATRA is known to increase the expression of some NADPH components; however, little is known about the effect of GM‐CSF on the expression of these components. We examined the expression of NADPH oxidase components in ML‐1 cells treated with ATRA, GM‐CSF, or a combination of ATRA and GM‐CSF. Expression of p47phox and gp91phox proteins increased markedly after treatment with both reagents. p47phox expression was increased by ATRA alone, and the expression was increased synergistically by the combination of ATRA with GM‐CSF. gp91phox was increased by ATRA or GM‐CSF alone. The expression of p47phox and gp91phox mRNA underwent similar changes to those seen in protein level. These results indicate that GM‐CSF induces expression of gp91phox and enhances ATRA‐induced p47phox expression. We speculate that the remarkable induction of gp91phox and p47phox protein is associated with an increase in superoxide‐generating activity due to the synergistic effect of ATRA plus GM‐CSF.
Transport with multiple-rate exchange in disordered media.

We investigate transport of particles subject to exchange using the continuous-time random-walk framework. Transition is controlled by macroscale, and exchange by both macroscale and microscale disorder. A wide class of exchange mechanisms is represented using the multiple-rate exchange model. Particles are transported along random trajectories viewed as one-dimensional lattices. The solution of the transport problem is obtained in the form of the crossing-time density, h(t;L), at an exit surface L; h is dependent on two functions, g and f. g characterizes exchange controlled by microscale disorder. The joint density f is central for the solution as it relates the microscale and macroscale disorder along random trajectories. For the case of transition and exchange disorder, we show that power-law exponent eta (characterizing microscale disorder) and power-law exponents alpha(tau) and alpha(mu) (characterizing macroscale disorder), define two regions delimited by a line alpha(tau)=alpha(mu)(eta+1): One in which the asymptotic transport is dominated by transition, and one in which it is dominated by the exchange. For the case of transition disorder with uniform exchange, both transition and exchange can influence the late-time behavior of h(t). Microscale exchange processes will unconditionally influence the late-time behavior of h(t) only if eta<0. If eta>0, exchange will dominate at late time provided that transition is asymptotically Gaussian.
The Beetroot Component Betanin Modulates ROS Production, DNA Damage and Apoptosis in Human Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of betanin, one of the beetroot major components, on ROS production, DNA damage and apoptosis in human resting and stimulated with phorbol 12‐myristate13‐acetate polymorphonuclear neutrophils, one of the key elements of the inflammatory response.
Migration of dendritic cells: physical principles, molecular mechanisms, and functional implications

Dendritic cells (DCs) constitute a complex cell population that resides in both peripheral tissues and lymphoid organs. Their major function in tissues is to patrol their environment in search of danger‐associated antigens to transport to lymph nodes and present to T lymphocytes. This process constitutes the first step of the adaptive immune response and relies on specific DC properties, including a high endocytic capacity as well as efficient motility in confined three‐dimensional environments. Although cell motility has been widely studied, little is known on how the geometric characteristics of the environment influence DC migration and function. In this review, we give an overview of the basic physical principles and molecular mechanisms that control DC migration under confinement and discuss how such mechanisms impact the environment‐patrolling capacity of DCs.
Design of compact printed 2.4 GHz band-pass filter using LC resonator

A compact Printed 2.4GHz band-pass filter using inductance-capacitance (LC) resonator is implanted and measured. The proposed filter is designed by using LC resonator to avoid the limitation of the physical wavelength for reducing filter size. For improving filter performances, the quality factors of the lump elements are optimized. The measured results show minimum insertion loss is 0.59 dB in 2.33 GHz, and the ripple in pass-band is less than 1.6 dB in pass-band. The 3dB bandwidth is 1.834 GHz. In addition, the losses in stop-bands are larger than 20dB in the band from 3.75 GHz to 8 GHz. The filter size is small with 19.9×10 mm2. The proposed filter can be implemented in standard printed circuit board processes without any lumped elements, bonding wires, easing integration with wireless communication systems.
Trypanosoma brucei Glycoproteins Contain Novel Giant Poly-N-acetyllactosamine Carbohydrate Chains*

The flagellar pocket of the bloodstream form of the African sleeping sickness parasite Trypanosoma brucei contains material that binds the β-d-galactose-specific lectin ricin (Brickman, M. J., and Balber, A. E. (1990) J. Protozool. 37, 219–224). Glycoproteins were solubilized from bloodstream form T. brucei cells in 8 m urea and 3% SDS and purified by ricin affinity chromatography. Essentially all binding of ricin to these glycoproteins was abrogated by treatment with peptide N-glycosidase, showing that the ricin ligands are attached to glycoproteins via N-glycosidic linkages to asparagine residues. Glycans released by peptide N-glycosidase were resolved by Bio-Gel P-4 gel filtration into two fractions: a low molecular mass mannose-rich fraction and a high molecular mass galactose and N-acetylglucosamine-rich fraction. The latter fraction was further separated by high pH anion exchange chromatography and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, one- and two-dimensional NMR, electrospray mass spectrometry, and methylation linkage analysis. The high molecular mass ricin-binding N-glycans are based on a conventional Manα1–3(Manα1–6)Manβ1–4-GlcNAcβ1–4GlcNAc core structure and contain poly-N-acetyllactosamine chains. A significant proportion of these structures are extremely large and of unusual structure. They contain an average of 54 N-acetyllactosamine (Galβ1–4GlcNAc) repeats per glycan, linked mostly by -4GlcNAcβ1–6Galβ1-interrepeat linkages, with an average of one -4GlcNAcβ1–3(-4GlcNAcβ1–6)Galβ1- branch point in every six repeats. These structures, which also bind tomato lectin, are twice the size reported for the largest mammalian poly-N-acetyllactosamine N-linked glycans and also differ in their preponderance of -4GlcNAcβ1–6Galβ1- over -4GlcNacβ1–3Galβ1- interrepeat linkages. Molecular modeling suggests that -4GlcNAcβ1–6Galβ1- interrepeat linkages produce relatively compact structures that may give these giant N-linked glycans unique physicochemical properties. Fluorescence microscopy using fluorescein isothiocyanatericin indicates that ricin ligands are located mainly in the flagellar pocket and in the endosomal/lysosomal system of the trypanosome.
Migration, Schooling Choice, and Student Outcomes in China

THE FAST PACE OF economic growth in China is in no small part attributed to the massive movement of migrant workers from rural to urban areas. It is estimated that in 2014 more than 168 million migrants were living and working in China’s cities (NBSC 2015). In China, as elsewhere, migration imparts significant benefits to individuals through the higher returns to work; it can also have strong and transformative impacts on both the origin and destination communities (Taylor, Rozelle, and de Brauw 2003; Du, Park, and Wang 2005; Gibson and McKenzie 2012). The same benefits do not always accrue to other family members, particularly the children of migrants. Researchers internationally have documented the downside of migration on the children of migrants (Spera 2005; Lahaie et al. 2009). In China, the potential impact of the decision of parents to migrate may be especially large, given the country’s unique institutional and policy environment. Because of the hukou household registration system, migrant children are not unconditionally entitled to enroll in urban public schools (Lai et al. 2014). Although policies have fluctuated over time, two-thirds of migrant children inmany of China’s large cities are not eligible to attend public schools (Chen and Feng 2013). When rural parents debate whether to move to the city, they may consider the impact of that decision on family members. Migrant parents who are unable to enroll their children in local urban (or, often distant suburban) public schools have to make one of two choices. In one case their children can attend rural public schools. These children then live with their grandparents (or other relatives/caregivers) and attend the local public school. Students in this situation are called left-behind children (LBC). According to an All-China Women’s Federation report (ACWF 2013) based on the 2010 Population Census, there are more than 61 million LBC (including children living with their father or mother in their hometown) aged 17 years or younger in China. These left-behind children comprise 22 percent of all children in China and 38 percent of rural children.
Development and Application of a Tool Designed to Evaluate Web Sites Providing Information on Alzheimer's Disease

Informal carers of people with Alzheimer's disease require access to high-quality information, which may be available through the Internet. Tools that have been developed to evaluate the contents of health-related web sites tend to be generic and not specific for diseases or patient groups. The aim of this study was to develop a tool that was specifically designed to evaluate web sites that provide information about Alzheimer's disease for informal carers of people with the disease. The tool was used to evaluate a sample of 15 web sites. The results were compared with those obtained using four generic tools in an earlier study. Several web sites attained high scores using the specific tool, although almost half of the 15 web sites achieved scores of less than 50%. There was a poor correlation between the rankings obtained using the specific tool compared with the generic tool. Web sites generally scored lower using the specific tool compared with one of the generic tools. Further work is required to develop and evaluate the Alzheimer's disease web site evaluation tool to help improve the quality of information available to carers through the Internet.
On the Acoustic Sensitivity of a Symmetrical Two-Mass Model of the Vocal Folds to the Variation o fC ontrol Parameters

Summary The acoustic properties of a recently proposed two-mass model for vocal-fold oscillations are analysed in terms of a set of acoustic parameters borrowed from phenomenological glottal-flow signal models. The analysed vocalfold model includes a novel description of flow separation within the glottal channel at a point whose position may vary in time when the channel adopts a divergent configuration. It also assumes a vertically symmetrical glottal structure, a hypothesis that does not hinder reproduction of glottal-flow signals and that reduces the number of control parameters of the dynamical system governing vocal-fold oscillations. Measuring the sensitivity of acoustic parameters to the variation of the model control parameters is essential to describe the actions that the modelled glottis employs to produce voiced sounds of different characteristics. In order to classify these actions, we applied an algorithmic procedure in which the implementation of the vocal-fold model is followed by a numerical measurement of the acoustic parameters describing the generated glottal-flow signal. We use this algorithm to generate a large database with the variation of acoustic parameters in terms of the model control parameters. We present results concerning fundamental frequency, intensity and pulse shape control in terms of subglottal pressure, muscular tension, and the effective mass of the folds participating in vocal-fold vibration. We also produce evidence for the identification o fv ocal-fold oscillatio nr egimes with the first and second laryngeal mechanisms, which are the most common phonation modes used in voiced-sound production. In terms of the model, the distinction between these mechanisms is closely related to the detection of glottal leakage, i.e. to an incomplete glottal closure during vocal-fold vibration. The algorithm is set to detect glottal leakage when transglottal air flow does not reach zero during the quasi-closed phase. I ti sa ls od esigned to simulate electroglottographic signals with the vocal-fold model. Numerical results are compared with experimental electroglottograms. In particular, a strong correspondence is found between the features of experimental and numerical electroglottograms during the transition between different laryngeal mechanisms.
Child Custody and Visitation Decisions When the Father Has Perpetrated Violence Against the Mother

This research evaluated the effectiveness of statutes mandating a presumption against custody to a perpetrator of domestic violence (DV) and judicial education about DV. Across six states, the authors examined 393 custody and/or visitation orders where the father perpetrated DV against the mother and surveyed 60 judges who entered those orders. With the presumption, more orders gave legal and physical custody to the mother and imposed a structured schedule and restrictive conditions on fathers’ visits, except where there was also a “friendly parent” provision and a presumption for joint custody. The presumption is effective only as part of a consistent statutory scheme. Although 86% of judges had received DV education, they scored no better in knowledge or attitudes. More of their orders gave mothers sole physical custody, and knowledge was associated with maternal custody, yet fewer structured or restricted fathers’ visitation. Quality of DV education is more important than statutory mandate.
The Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale: A Shortened Version with British Normative Data

Summary This paper presents information on a shortened form of the Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale, which is shown to be as effective as the original version in discriminating among the elderly. The results for 400 people in the care of hospital or social services provide provisional normative data for the use of the scale, which should be of value in assessing the behavioural competence of the elderly on an individual and group basis.
Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activity of Cryptolepis Buchanani

K. Padmalochana*, M.S. Dhana Rajan, R.Lalitha, H.Sivasankari Research and development centre, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. P.G Dept. of Biochemistry, Sri Akilandeswari Women's College, Wandiwash, Tamil Nadu, India. Dept of Biochemistry Jaya college of Arts & Science,Tiruninravur, Chennai , India. PG & Research Dept of Microbiology, Kamban College of Arts and Science for women, Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu, India. PG Department of biotechnology, Arunai Engineering college, Anna Bioresearch foundation, Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu, India.
Taxonomic redescription of the Portuguese man-of-war, Physalia physalis (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa, Siphonophorae, Cystonectae) from Brazil

Although Physalia physalis (Linnaeus, 1758) is widely known from the Brazilian waters, specimens from this coast were never properly described. We describe Brazilian specimens of P. physalis including information on morphology, cnidome, SEM, and histological studies. Taxonomical issues concerning the development of the colonies and eventual synonymy with Physalia utriculus (La Martiniere, 1787) are also added.
Quantitative assessment of regional emphysema distribution in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Purpose: To compare objective and subjective assessment of the distribution of emphysema in unselected patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Material and Methods: 167 patients were computed tomography (CT) scanned, and the relative area (RA-910) of emphysema in each CT slice was plotted against table position. The craniocaudal distribution was calculated as the slope of the regression line, and grouped as upper-lung-zone predominance (ULP), lower-lung-zone predominance (LLP), or mild/homogeneous distribution (MHE). CT scans were also classified as ULP, LLP, and MHE based on visual assessment of three high-resolution CT (HRCT) slices, and the leading pattern of emphysema was classified as centrilobular (CLE), paraseptal (PSE), panlobular (PLE), or no emphysema (NE). Results: By objective classification, scans were divided into almost equal numbers of ULP, LLP, and MHE, whereas visual evaluation classified more scans as ULP (P<0.001) and very few as LLP (P<0.0001). In patients with CLE, 49% had ULP by objective classification, whereas LLP was the commonest leading pattern in PSE, PLE, and NE. Conclusion: We found significant discrepancies between the objective and subjective distributions of emphysema in various morphological patterns, which may be of clinical importance in, for instance, lung-volume-reduction surgery.
Discovery and sharing of knowledge with self-organized agents

This paper describes a system, which has the capability to analyze and discover knowledge gathered from distributed sources. This autonomous system is implemented using the growing self organizing map (GSOM), which is a dynamic version of the self organizing map (SOM) and a multi agent communication system. The important contribution of this model is its ability to transfer local knowledge to a central knowledge base referred to as a central controller where the data is clustered and analyzed to identify similarities and variations. The central controller has the capability of transferring back its global knowledge to the distributed sources.
A Distinct Inhibitory Function for miR-18a in Th17 Cell Differentiation

Th17 cell responses orchestrate immunity against extracellular pathogens but also underlie autoimmune disease pathogenesis. In this study, we uncovered a distinct and critical role for miR-18a in limiting Th17 cell differentiation. miR-18a was the most dynamically upregulated microRNA of the miR-17–92 cluster in activated T cells. miR-18a deficiency enhanced CCR6+ RAR-related orphan receptor (ROR)γt+ Th17 cell differentiation in vitro and increased the number of tissue Th17 cells expressing CCR6, RORγt, and IL-17A in airway inflammation models in vivo. Sequence-specific miR-18 inhibitors increased CCR6 and RORγt expression in mouse and human CD4+ T cells, revealing functional conservation. miR-18a directly targeted Smad4, Hif1a, and Rora, all key transcription factors in the Th17 cell gene-expression program. These findings indicate that activating signals influence the outcome of Th cell differentiation via differential regulation of mature microRNAs within a common cluster.
Single-Layer Single-Patch Four-Band Asymmetrical U-Slot Patch Antenna

A single-layer single-patch four-band U-slot patch antenna, with linear polarization, is proposed for WiMax and WLAN systems. Using this antenna, impedance bandwidths (|S11|<;-10 dB) of 2.1%, 3.3%, 7.1% and 5.0% were achieved at central frequencies 3.35 GHz, 3.70 GHz, 5.20 GHz and 5.80 GHz, with gains of 7.6 dBi, 8.6 dBi, 8.5 dBi and 9.0 dBi, respectively. This antenna was made by cutting four asymmetrical U-slots in the patch. This structure has the following advantages: (1) the feed is simple, (2) the antenna has single-layer, (3) the structure of the antenna is simple, (4) the asymmetry of the U-slot arm provides one more degree of freedom in the design, (5) the antenna is inexpensive. The design guideline for the proposed antenna is given and the acceptability of the design is verified by other scenarios. The simulated and measured results are in good agreement.
Evaluation of nutritive value of sugar cane bagasse fermented with poultry litter as animal feed

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of fermentation and poultry litter level of nutritive value of bagasse as animal feed. Four rations were made contained zero poultry litter (T1), 10% (T2), 20% (T3) and 30% (T4), the rations were ensiled for two months. An analysis of variance was performed for the treatments and significant differences was identified by means of Tukeys T-test. The approximate analysis of chemical composition of dry crude protein (CP), ether extract (E.E), Ash, crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and in vitro DM and OM digestibility of the four experimental rations before and after fermentation were carried out. PH increased with increased poultry litter level, CP increased significantly due to fermentation and with increasing level of chicken manure 3.8% to 5.4%, 6.4% to 13.2%, 8.5% to 14.8% and 15.4% to 16.3% in T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. CF, NDF and ADF were decreased significantly (P<0.05) due to increased level of poultry litter and due to fermentation. The in vitro DM and OM digestibility increased significantly due to fermentation and with increased poultry litter up to 80.2% and 79.79% in T4 after fermentation respectively. The Addition of poultry litter to bagasse and fermentation were largely improved CP content and DM and OM digestibility, this might contributed positively in animal nutrition.