Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Locomotion Activity Meter for Quality Assessment of Mass-Reared Sterile Male Moths (Lepidoptera)

Abstract Irradiation is used to provide sterile insects from mass-rearing facilities, but irradiation can degrade insect quality. A system is described that uses repeatable pheromone stimuli to activate male moths housed with clean airflow in a commercially available insect activity meter, for potential use in quality assessment of mass-reared moths in sterile insect programs. We tested sexually mature wild and sterile light brown apple moth (LBAM), Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), males at the commencement of scotophase in a simple assay for increased mate-seeking activity after a 2 s stimulus with a 4-component synthetic pheromone source for 2 s, after a 5 s baseline of activity. Male activity at the upwind end of the glass tube was assessed by infrared beam. Next, we tested if a temperature shock at 30 °C in the pupal stage for various durations (0, 1, 2 or 4 h) would have an effect on male moth response to the sex pheromone. The results indicated similar baseline activity in clean airflow, but a significantly greater response after pheromone stimulation from non-irradiated males, compared with irradiated males. Responses from irradiated males averaged 78% of the control response (n = 320). The temperature shock did not appear to change the response of the non-irradiated moths (n = 64), but there was a slight decline in response by irradiated moths at the 2 and 4 h temperature shock durations. The system could be readily modified to be suitable for factory scale quality assurance.
Job classification in health research in Iran: a case of a developing country

B a c k g r o u n d & Aim: Due to lack of a unique and acceptable classification scheme for occupation in Iran, the role of this measure has been ignored in many health researches. We aimed to find a suitable classification . Methods & Materials: In-depth interviews with expert health professionals were done through purposeful sampling. They expressed their opinions on five commonly used occupational based socio-economic measures in the world to develop a consensus draft for Iranian occupational classification. The main themes were identified by content analysis. R e s u lt s : The experts agreed that the National Statistics Socio-economic Classification was the most compatible job classification for Iran’s health researches. Some of the problems in occupation assessment in health research were also clarified through interviews. C on c l u sio n : Job classification would better consist of more than one job dimension; the economic parameters are not stable and accurately measurable, so more social aspects of occupation such as the authority and control over workforce should be considered.
HIGMN : an IGMN-based hierarchical architecture and its applications for robotic tasks

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AN ARTICULATED MODEL WITH A KALMAN FILTER FOR REAL TIME VISUAL TRACKING Application to the Tracking of Pedestrians with a Monocular Camera

Abstract: This work presents a method for the visual tracking of articulated targets in image sequences in real time. Each part of the target object is considered as a region of interest and tracked by a parametric transformation. Prior geometric and dynamic informations about the target are introduced with a Kalman filter to guide the evolution of the tracking process of regions. An articulated model with two areas is proposed and applied to track pedestrians in the urban image sequences.
Does fiscal cooperation increase local tax rates

The main purpose of this paper is to assess the effects of fiscal cooperation on local taxation in a decentralized country, using the French experience. We estimate a model of tax setting for local business tax using spatial and dynamic econometric techniques, for the period 1993-2003. We find first that reducing the number of municipalities is likely to limit tax competition and increase local business tax rates as a consequence. Second, we find that tax rates are higher when groups of localities set a single business tax rate rather than applying an additional rate of business tax, suggesting that horizontal tax competition constrains the level of tax rate increase generated by tax-base sharing.
Contribution aux aides à l’orientation des déficients visuels par GPS, magnétomètre, baromètre et centrale inertielle

Nous avons evalue les performances et limitations de differents capteurs susceptibles d’aider a orienter un deficient visuel : GPS, magnetometre, gyroscope, accelerometre, barometre ainsi que la facon de les combiner pour guider efficacement les deficients visuels dans trois contextes differents : le milieu urbain, la randonnee et les interieurs. Nous avons realise des prototypes se placant sur la hanche ou tenus a la main fournissant une information presentee sous la forme d’un cap et d’une distance au point a atteindre. Cette information se reactualise en temps reel en fonction des changements de position ou d’orientation de la personne.Nous avons montre par des tests en situation reelle sur des parcours urbains et pedestres de plusieurs kilometres, effectues par differents deficients visuels, l’efficacite de cette approche tres differente de celle du guidage automobile. Les tests ont ete egalement effectues dans des zones ou les capteurs sont perturbes : forets denses ou rues avec des bâtiments hauts (signal GPS perturbe), a proximite des lignes electriques (magnetometre perturbe), etc. Le cas le plus complexe est celui des interieurs (stations du metro, centres commerciaux) ou le signal GPS est absent. Notre approche ne fait appel a aucun equipement du lieu (de type bornes Bluetooth ou Wifi) et utilise uniquement une cartographie prealable ou relevee sur le site. Nous sommes parvenus a des guidages fonctionnels sur quelques centaines de metres sous certaines conditions : entrainement de l’utilisateur afin d’assimiler les specificites du langage de la locomotion utilise pour le guidage et apprentissage des strategies de deplacement evitant le disfonctionnement de la centrale inertielle. Nous sommes en mesure de proposer a l’issue de ce travail un outil pouvant etre diffuse aupres des utilisateurs avec des solutions fiables pour le milieu urbain et la randonnee. Pour les interieurs les developpements complementaires se poursuivent et ne seront proposes qu’en beta-test. Cet outil va egalement etre propose pour initier les deficients visuels non autonomes a des randonnees simples afin de tenter de faire naitre l’envie d’ameliorer son autonomie.
A method for studying cAMP-relay in Dictyostelium discoideum: the effect of temperature on cAMP-relay

SUMMARY: A simple assay has been developed to quantify the cAMP-relay in Dictyostelium discoideum. The assay is based on the stimulation of cells, in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, with 2-deoxyadenosine 3,5-monophosphate (dcAMP) at a concentration which saturates cell surface cAMP receptors. The accumulation of cAMP is measured by an isotope dilution assay using a cAMP-binding protein with such a low affinity for dcAMP that purification of cAMP can be omitted. The accumulation of extracellular and total cAMP was measured at 20°C and at 0°C. At 20°C the rateof cAMP synthesis increased immediately after stimulation, reaching a maximum after 1 min, with a return to undetectable levels after about 4 min. The secretion of c A M P at this temperature was proportional to the intracellular cAMP concentration and reached a maximum at about 2 min. At 20°C the cAMP-relay was essentially completed within 3-4 min, yielding about 35 pmol cAMP per 107 cells. At 0 C the same amount of cAMP was relayed, but the rate of cAMP synthesis was reduced about 2-5-fold. The secretion rate depended on the intracellular cAMP concentration with a delay period of 1.25 + 0.5 min, and was reduced about 5.5-fold compared to secretion at 20°C. Due to the relatively slow secretion and fast synthesis of cAMP, an approximately twofold higher intracellular cAMP concentration was reached at 0°C compared to 20°C, and this persisted for about 15 min. Taking into account that the secretion rate is proportional to intracellular cAMP concentration, these results indicate that the mechanism underlying cAMP secretion is slowed 13-fold when the temperature is reduced from 20°C to 0°C.
Application and Power of Tests for Homogeneity of Variances

The methods of statistical modeling are used to investigate the distribution of test statistics for homogeneity of means. The results of the comparative power analysis of the tests for homogeneity of means depending on the alternative hypotheses are given. The recommendations on the use of the test are provided as well. The possibility of tests application to the samples that do not fit the normal distribution and analysis of tests statistic distribution in such conditions are implemented. The results obtained should contribute to the correct application of the tests.
Expression, purification and evaluation of recombinant L-asparaginase in mehthylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris

L-asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1), a therapeutic enzyme used in the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Hence, the goal of this work is study the expression and evaluation of hydrolysis activity of native sequence (X12746) encoding for L-asparaginase from Erwinia chrysanthemi NCPBB1125 in the popular expression system Pichia pastoris . The sequence of asn encoded for mature protein was expressed in P. pastoris SMD1168 and X33. SDS-PAGE analysis showed recombinant L-asparaginase was secreted efficiently. Stable and high hydrolysis activity of extracellular L-asparaginase in P. pastoris SMD1168 making it a potential candidate to produce recombinant protein. After purification, a specific band whose appearance approximately 45 kDa indicating the glycosylated protein with specific activity by 6.251 Umg -1 and about 3 folds purifications.
Defending the Body Without Sensing the Body Position: Physiological Evidence in a Brain-Damaged Patient With a Proprioceptive Deficit

The ability to know where our body parts are located in space (proprioception) is fundamental for both successfully interacting with the external world and monitoring potential threats. In this case-control study, we investigated whether the absence of proprioceptive signals may affect physiological defensive responses. To this aim, a right brain-damaged patient with a left upper-limb proprioceptive deficit (P+ patient) and age-matched healthy controls, underwent the recording of the Hand-Blink Reflex (HBR). This defensive response, elicited by electrical stimulation of the median nerve and recorded from the orbicularis oculi, is modulated by the hand position: it is enhanced when the threatened hand is near to the face, inside the defensive peripersonal-space (DPPS). According to the classical neuropsychological perspective, we used P+ patient as a model to investigate the role of proprioception in HBR modulation, by manipulating the congruity/incongruity between the intended and actual positions of the stimulated hand. P+ patient, with his eyes closed, had to voluntarily place his left hand either far from or near to his face and to relieve the arm’s weight over a supporting device. Then, in congruent conditions, the hand was stimulated in the actual (intended) position. In incongruent conditions, the patient’s hand was moved by the examiner from the intended to the opposite (not-intended) position and then stimulated. We observed an inverse response pattern between congruent and incongruent conditions. In congruent conditions, P+ patient showed an HBR enhancement in near compared to far position, comparable to that found in healthy controls. This suggests that, even in absence of proprioceptive and visual information, the HBR modulation was still present. Conversely, in incongruent conditions, P+ patient showed a greater HBR magnitude for far position (when the hand was actually far, but the patient intended it to be near) than for near position (when the hand was actually near, but the patient intended it to be far). This result suggests that proprioceptive signals are not necessary for HBR modulation to occur. It relies more on the intended than on the actual position of the hand. The role of motor intention and planning in shaping the DPPS is discussed.
Nursing Activities Score by assistance sites in Intensive Care Units

Objective: To compare the Nursing Activities Score (NAS) between the Assistance Sites in an Intensive Care Unit. Method: Descriptive, retrospective study, carried out in the Intensive Care Unit of a teaching hospital. The patients were organized in Assistance Sites according to their clinical characteristics and the nursing team's composition was organized in accordance with the Nursing Activities Score (NAS). The confidence interval was set at p < 0.05. Results: the majority were male surgical patients with a mean age of 56.8 years. The postoperative care Site presented the greatest patient turnover. The overall average NAS was 71.7%. There was a difference in the nursing workload between the different Assistance Sites. The shorter length of stay and the nonsurvivors contributed to increasing the workload in the ICU. Conclusion: Comparing the NAS in the different Sites made it possible to organize the work process of the nursing team according to each group, contributing to patient safety.
Adjustable Speed Drive of Asynchronous Machine Using Volt/Hz & PI Technique

Induction Motors are generally utilized as a part of the modern application because of a high reliability, high power and minimum cost. The simulation study of speed control of IM using SPWM techniques are carried out. The execution of both the torque and speed is advanced by an altered PI controller and Volt/Hz control. A scalar control is a straightforward technique and it's worked to control the size of the control amounts in consistent speed application. Volt/Hz control has been simulated using MATLAB Simulink and compared with the PI controller.
Cytotoxic Activity of Fatty Acids From Antarctic Macroalgae on the Growth of Human Breast Cancer Cells

Macroalgae are a natural source of clinically relevant molecules such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. The Antarctic environment, due to its cold climate, leads to high production of these bioactive molecules. Adenocystis utricularis, Curdiea racovitzae, and Georgiella confluens from three distinct islands in the Antarctic Peninsula were collected and analyzed for their fatty acid content by gas chromatography flame ionization detection. Results revealed that the algal extracts consisted of 22 fatty acids, of which 9 were saturated, 4 were monounsaturated, and 9 were polyunsaturated (PUFA). In addition, fucosterol was identified within the lipidic extracts. The cytotoxic activity of these fatty acids was evaluated in human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The most notable result was the effect of PUFA on the growth inhibition of cancer cells ranging from 61.04 to 69.78% in comparison to control cells. Significant cytotoxic activity of fatty acids from A. utricularis was observed at 48 h, resulting in an inhibition of growth of more than 50% for breast cancer cells at a concentration of 100 μg/mL. A cell viability assay showed that the fatty acids from A. utricularis significantly reduced cell viability (68.7% in MCF-7 and 89% in MDA-MB-231 after 72 h of exposure). At the same time, DAPI staining demonstrated chromatin condensation, and apoptotic bodies formed in cells that were cultured with fatty acids from A. utricularis. These data indicate that fatty acids from Antarctic macroalgae have the potential to reduce the proliferation of and induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells.
Secure Views for Collaborative Modeling

Model-based systems engineering necessitates effective collaboration between different collaborators, teams, and stakeholders. Traditional approaches used for managing concurrent code-based development don’t naturally extend to collaborative modeling, which implies novel challenges. This article presents a collaborative-modeling framework that provides secure views with precisely defined model access to each collaborator, using rule-based access control policies. This article is part of a theme issue on collaborative modeling.
White spot syndrome baculovirus (WSBV) detected in cultured and captured shrimp, crabs and other arthropods

Whlte spot syndrome baculovirus (WSBV) has been found across ddferent shrimp species and in different Asian countries. The detection of WSBV in shrimp with white spot syndrome has already been achieved by means of l-step polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In an attempt to establish a more sensitive assay, we evaluated the effect of 2-step amplification with nested primers on the sensitivity of WSBV diagnostic PCR. The sensitivity of the 2-step amplification was 10" to 10"imes higher than that of l-step amplification. Using both techniques, we successfully detected WSBV DNA in cultured and captured shrimp, crabs and other arthropods. Cultured Penaeus monodon (black tiger shrimp), P. japonicus (kuruma shrimp), P penicjllatus (red tail shrimp), and Metapenaeus ensis (sand shrimp) displaying white spot syndrome were collected from farms at different localities. One-step amplification of the DNA extracted from these shrimps consistently yielded an expected 1447 bp PCR product. Some of the tested specimens of cultured Scylla serrata (mud crab) that exhibited white spot syndrome were positive in l-step WSBV diagnostic PCR, while others were positive only in 2-step WSBV diagnostic PCR. Use of the 2-step amplification protocol also detected a WSBV-specific DNA fragment in Macrobrachium rosenbergii (the giant freshwater prawn) exhibiting white spot syndrome. We also confirmed that WSBV exists in wild-caught shrimp (P monodon, f! japonicus, P semisulcatus and P penicillatus) and crabs (Charybdisferiatus. Portunuspelagicus and P. sanguinolentus) collected from the natural environment in coastal waters around southern Taiwan. Detection of WSBV in non-cultured arthropods collected from WSBV-affected shrimp farms revealed that copepods, the pest crab Hehce tndens, small pest Palaemonidae prawn and the larvae of an Ephydridae insect were reservoir hosts of WSBV. The relatedness between WSBV and Thailand's systemc ectodermal and mesodermal baculovirus (SEMBV) is d~scussed in this paper.
Monitoring the passivity of steel subject to galvanic protection

•SUMMARY: This work investigates the assessment of the passivity of steel in concrete subject to galvanic protection. Under atmospherically exposed conditions the kinetics of the cathodic reaction often exhibit activation controlled behaviour. It is shown that in these conditions the corrosion rates estimated from a large negative potential shift are very similar to those determined using the more widely accepted polarisation resistance method. The results are considered in the light of the potential decay cathodic protection criterion, and show how criteria based on potential shift may be improved to monitor steel passivity induced in a galvanic cathodic protection system. This provides the basis for an improved reinforced concrete acceptance criterion that is focussed on the condition of the structure and is included within the ISO standard cathodic protection when applied to galvanic systems.
Design of an Automated Measuring System for RFID Transponders in Complex Environments

As industry moves towards more flexible manufacturing processes the topics supply chain management and product tracking gain more and more importance. Identifying each product in the process not only by its type but also knowing its location and most important its current state of build is necessary to manage highly dynamic production processes. Using RFID (radio frequency identification) technology is a promising solution to this task. On the one hand, its main feature of enabling non-line visual identification using radio waves is of great benefit in such scenarios. On the other hand, these advantages also have corresponding disadvantages. Radio waves interfere heavily with certain materials like metal or liquids. For example, attaching RFID transponders to the various parts of a car and attempting to read these transponders during the assembly process, e.g. to monitor the production status, is a difficult challenge. In this paper, we propose an automated gate approach in combination with artificial intelligence to improve the read rate of RFID transponders inside of vehicles.
A wide-range multi-channel Air Ion Spectrometer

A new multi-channel air ion spectrometer (AIS) is presented. The instrument allows simultaneous measurements of positive and negative ion distributions from 3.2 to 0.0013 cm 2 V -1 s -1 (0.80-40 nm diameter or, using the Tammet correction, from 0.4 to 40 nm). The mobility range is divided into 27 fractions which are measured simultaneously to ensure a high time resolution (down to 10 seconds). The instrument calibration shows a good agreement with the mobility of electrically-classified, mono-dispersed aerosols. The spectrometer overestimates low concentrations of cluster ions. This is caused by a natural production of small ions (< 1 nm, 10 to 100 cm -3 ) inside the spectrometer. The instrument specifications, calibration results and measurements performed show a huge application potential of the new spectrometer.
Why People Prefer to Live in Gated Communities in Istanbul

The aim of this study is to answer the question of “why people prefer to live in gated communities in Istanbul? ”. Qualitative research methods have been used to develop a conceptual model. Methodologies employed were in-depth interviews and interview forms, where the data were analyzed using content analysis. In-depth interviews employed 33 different household members in 9 different household types. The sample includes different housing types, security levels and income levels to determine the housing preferences in gated communities. The conceptual model is mainly based on household characteristics, project features of gated communities and opportunities offered by gated communities.
Situation Assessment to Secure IoT Applications

The Internet of Things (IoT) may be defined as a collection of independent and dependent devices as well as human agents that form a network. IoT has provided a promising opportunity to build powerful industrial and enterprise systems that in turns offers conveniences and efficiency to achieve better quality of life. With the lucrative IoT benefits, also come new security and privacy challenges in terms of the confidentiality, authenticity, and integrity of the data sensed, collected, and exchanged by the IoT objects. These challenges make IoT deployments extremely vulnerable to different types of security attacks, resulting in insecure IoT environments. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out situation assessment to identify possible security risks to develop a complete picture of secure IoT deployments. In this paper, we present basic elements of IoT models and provide situation assessment for IoT applications. We have highlighted the security enhancement measures for the IoT applications based on the three domain (local, transfer and data storage) of the IoT model. Trends within situation assessment for security area will be highlighted in addition to identification of niche areas where future efforts will be directed.