Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
"Kicking the initiation": do adolescent ex-smokers differ from other groups within the initiation continuum?

BACKGROUND Current research on the continuum of smoking initiation has largely focused on phases of progressing frequency of smoking. To gain more insight into reasons some adolescents do, and others do not, proceed to advanced levels of smoking behavior, a continuum in which two categories of ex-smoking are proposed is examined. METHODS Standardized scores on psychosocial predictors of smoking among adolescent nonsmoking deciders and quitters were compared cross-sectionally with those of the categories of never smokers, triers, experimenters, and regular smokers (n = 23,317). RESULTS Never smokers, triers, experimenters, and regular smokers had significantly different characteristics with regard to psychosocial predictors of smoking (P < 0.01), with scores of never smokers indicating that they were least at risk of smoking in the future and those of regular smokers indicating that they were most at risk. Scores of nonsmoking deciders showed that they were less at risk than triers and experimenters and more at risk than never smokers. Quitters seemed to have less risky psychosocial characteristics than experimenters and more risky characteristics than nonsmoking deciders. CONCLUSIONS Studying transitions of smoking behavior based on six possible phases (i.e., never smoking, nonsmoking deciding, trying, experimenting, regular smoking, and quitting) might lead to more valid insights into predictors of adolescent smoking behavior.
Glandular Hairs and Secretory Ducts of Matricaria chamomilla (Asteraceae): Morphology and Histochemistry

The aim of the present work is to characterize the glandular hairs and the secretory ducts of Matricaria chamomilla (Asteraceae) morphologically, anatomically and histochemically. The glandular hairs are multicellular and biseriate with two basal cells, two peduncle cells and a secretory head composed of six cells. The histochemical tests show that the glands are positive for lipids, essential oils, sesquiterpene lactones, and pectic—like substances. The secretory ducts show a lumen surrounded by a layer of specialized cells, with the exception in the root where the ducts do not show any secretory epithelium. The histochemical tests show that the ducts are always positive for lipids, while the tests for the presence of essential oils and sesquiterpene lactones are heterogeneous in the plant organs considered.
Update on angiogenesis inhibitors.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW A number of therapeutic agents have been developed which have anti-angiogenic potential. Here we present the most recent data from clinical trials with some of the promising inhibitors of angiogenesis. RECENT FINDINGS Agents that target the vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway are the furthest along in clinical development. The last year has brought US Food and Drug Administration approval of bevacizumab (Avastin), a recombinant humanized anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody. Bevacizumab has demonstrated a survival advantage in combination with chemotherapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Other agents with early promising results include PTK787/ZK 222584 (Vatalanib), ZD6474, and BAY 43-9006 (Sorafenib). SUMMARY Angiogenesis inhibitors show promise, but evaluation for optimal efficacy has been a problem, given that the mechanisms of action of these agents differ from conventional cytotoxic agents and surrogate markers for inhibition of angiogenesis are not available.
Mononuclear phagocytes from human bone marrow progenitor cells; morphology, surface phenotype, and functional properties of resting and activated cells

After 3–4 weeks culture of human bone marrow cells in medium supplemented with IL‐3, macrophagc‐ (M‐CSF), and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), the firmly adherent cells exhibited the morphologic features of mononuclear phagocytes and were strongly esterase‐positive. Flow cylometric analysis revealed a rather homogeneous cell population with marked autofluorescence; the large majority of the cells expressed CD14. CD1 la,b, and c. Fc receptors for IgG, FcγRI, II, and III, and HLA class II molecules. Interfcron‐gamma (IFN‐γ). bacteria, and bacterial products modulated expression of some of the surface markers, induced and/ or enhanced respiratory burst, phagoeytic activity, secretion of tumour necrosis factor, and lumouricidal activity; in contrast, these cells were not able to generate reactive nitrogen intermediates.
Classification initialized hierarchical ALS-based NMF with partial sparseness constraints for fluorescence spectral unmixing

Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) is widely used in the spectral unmixing of fluorescence imaging, which decomposes the mixed fluorescence components into a set of constituent spectra and their corresponding fractional abundances. However, NMF is a nonconvex programming in the iteration process, thus the solution depends on the initial values and some constraints (such as sparseness constraints). In this paper, considering the autofluorescence (AF) and multi-target fluorophores having different characteristics of spectral and spatial distribution, we initialized NMF by using the normalized cut method, which can roughly classify all pixels into two groups: one for multi-target fluorophores and the other for AF. Therefore the spectra of multi-target fluorophores and AF can be initialized with the spectral signals in the corresponding groups. A ℓ1-norm-based partial sparseness constraint is further imposed on the hierarchical alternating least squares (HALS)-based NMF, which only introduce partial sparsity into the abundances of multi-target fluorophores rather than autofluorescence. Based on these classification-based initialization and partial sparseness constraints for the different components of fluorescence imaging, the multi-target fluorophores are clearly discriminated from AF in the solution of NMF. By using simulated and in vivo experimental data, the performance of the proposed algorithm has been validated as the best compared with several other state-of-the-art methods.
A Comparison of Demirjian’s Four Dental Development Methods for Forensic Age Assessment *,†

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the comparative accuracy of Demirjian’s four dental development methods for forensic age estimation in the Western Australian population. A sample comprising 143 individuals aged 4.6 to 14.5 years were assessed using Demirjian’s four methods for dental development (original 7‐tooth: M2, M1, PM2, PM1, C, I2, and I1; revised 7‐tooth: M2, M1, PM2, PM1, C, I2, and I1; 4‐tooth: M2, M1, PM2, and PM1; and an alternate 4‐tooth: M2, PM2, PM1, and I1). When comparing all four methods, the 4‐tooth method overestimated age in both males and females by 0.04 and 0.25 years, respectively. The original 7‐tooth was least accurate for males, while the original 7‐tooth, the revised 7‐tooth, and the alternate 4‐tooth were unsuitable for females. Therefore, we recommend the 4‐tooth method to be used for forensic age estimation in Western Australian males and females, as it has the lowest overall mean deviation and the highest accuracy.
Dynamics analysis of fractional order three-dimensional Hopfield neural network

Fractional order three-dimensional Hopfield neural network are considered. The dynamic behaviors of fractional order differential systems have received increasing attention in recent decades. In this paper, a fractional order financial system is proposed. This system displays many interesting dynamic behaviors, such as stability and chaos. We first consider the properties of stability and chaos of fractional order three-dimensional Hopfield neural network, and than investigate the differences from the integer order one by using the qualitative theory. Finally, we give some numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the obtained results.
A study on the effect of water conductivity in the underwater active electrolocation

Weakly electric fish employ active electrolocation for orientation and navigation in their environment at night and thus able perceive an electrical image of their surroundings even in complete darkness. This principle of active electrolocation is adopted to design a technical sensor system. In this paper, we conducted the underwater active electrolocation experiments in different water conductivities environment. The following conclusions were obtained: The underwater active electrolocation has some relationships with the water conductivity and the water conductivity has effect on the electric image. There is a blind area for location in a specific water conductivity environment. This may be helpful for improving the underwater active electroloation system.
Use of Discrete Event Simulation to Design Geocomposite Membrane Installation

Geosynthetics are incorporated into flexible pavement systems to improve their performance. However, geosynthetics must be installed properly to produce good results. The application of discrete-event simulation to design and analyze the installation of geocomposite membranes in flexible pavements is discussed. Data collected from two test sections at the Smart Road project in Blacksburg, Virginia, were used for modeling and analysis. Stroboscope was used as the simulation engine. The process used in the development of simulation models is discussed. A number of installation alternatives were studied and simulated to examine their practicality and to investigate their productivity, resource utilization, and unit cost.
Genetics of staphylococcal enterotoxin B in methicillin-resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus

Biophysical and genetic analysis of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) synthesis in 16 methicillin-resistant (Mecr) Staphylococcus aureus isolates demonstrated that the toxin gene (entB) can occupy either a plasmid or chromosomal locus. Biophysical analysis of the plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid content of these strains by agarose gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of a 1.15-megadalton plasmid in six isolates that appears to contain the entB gene. Genetic manipulation of SEB synthesis by transduction and elimination procedures demonstrated that this plasmid is critical for enterotoxigenesis. Nevertheless, the majority of the Mecr SEB+ isolates (62.5%) analyzed in this investigation were found to lack the 1.15-megadalton plasmid. In at least two of these strains (COL and 57-dk), transduction and elimination procedures showed that entB was chromosomal. Genetic studies involving strains harboring either a plasmid or chromosomal entB gene demonstrated that toxin synthesis was coeliminated with mec. However, analysis of the entB and mec loci by transformation or transduction showed that the genes are not closely linked. On the other hand, transduction of entB, regardless of the donor, was observed when both mec and the Tcr plasmid were jointly cotransduced. This finding suggests that, during transduction, a transient association between entB, mec, and the Tcr plasmid may exist.
Texture Retrieval System Using Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set Theory

Fast and accurate image classification is becoming one of the key requirements in content-based image retrieval (CBIR) system. The main idea of CBIR is to search similar image's based on user query. This paper proposes an improvised texture retrieval system using intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) theory. Tamura feature extraction technique is used to extract texture features of each image in the database. The similarity between two images is calculated by using Generalized Tversky's Index (GTI). Comparing with crisp and fuzzy method, results obtained using IFS were found better because of the consideration of uncertainty
Characteristics of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance Genes in Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporin-Resistant Isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in Korea

Background: Quinolone resistance is frequently associated with extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae. Methods: The characteristics of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes [qnr genes, aac(6′)-Ib-cr and qepA] in clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporin were studied. Results: 5 and 4 of 95 E. coli isolates but 46 (86/187) and 6% (12/187) of K. pneumoniae had qnr and aac(6′)-Ib-cr, respectively, and 8 K. pneumoniae contained both genes.qepA was not identified. qnrB, especially qnrB4, was the predominant qnr subtype in K. pneumoniae [94 (88 qnrB of 94 qnr) and 88% (77 qnrB4 of 88 qnrB), respectively], and presence of qnrB4 was closely related with DHA-1 β-lactamase (99%). However, K. pneumoniae isolates with qnrB4 and blaDHA-1 were clonally diverse. β-Lactamases produced by PMQR-containing isolates were variable: CMY-1, CTX-M-14, CTX-M-15, DHA-1, OXA type, SHV-2a, and SHV-12. Conclusion: PMQR genes are widely distributed among clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae, and qnrB4 associated with blaDHA-1 was the most common PMQR gene in Korea.
Modular Source-Type 3D Analysis of Scattering Parameters for General Discontinuities, Components and Coupling Effects in (M)MICs

A deterministic full-wave solution to the hybrid-mode characterisation of basic and non-elementary structures in (M)MICs is described. It is modular, not restricted to a few specific shapes and involves surface wave excitation and coupling effects. Results up to the full-wave 3d analysis of simple strip filters treating these structures as one field-theoretical block are presented. They demonstrate the potential of the approach for the solution of highly complex (M)MIC design problems.
Role of G‐proteins in muscarinic receptor inward and outward currents in rabbit jejunal smooth muscle.

1. Single smooth muscle cells obtained by enzymic dispersion of the longitudinal muscle layer of rabbit jejunum were held under voltage clamp using patch pipettes and membrane currents measured. The effects of carbachol or caffeine applied externally were examined in cells dialysed with normal pipette solutions or with a solution containing heparin (which blocks receptors for D‐myo‐inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate, InsP3), guanosine 5‐O‐(gamma‐thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) or guanosine 5‐O‐(beta‐thio)diphosphate (GDP beta S). 2. Outward current in response to application of carbachol or caffeine was considered to represent the opening of calcium‐activated potassium channels in response to a localized rise in the free ionized calcium concentration occasioned by the rapid discharge of stored calcium (Ca) by these agents. 3. Heparin included in the pipette solution blocked outward current to muscarinic receptor activation by carbachol but not that to caffeine, suggesting that receptor‐evoked discharge of stored cellular Ca is caused by InsP3 action. However, heparin did not affect muscarinic‐receptor inward current. 4. After dialysis with 0.1‐0.5 mM‐GTP gamma S, carbachol inward current was evoked in two out of three of the cells; after dialysis with 0.1‐0.2 mM‐GTP gamma S for an average of 7.7 min it was 80% of the normal response; after dialysis for an average of 8.6 min with 0.5 mM‐GTP gamma S it was 31% of the normal response. In contrast, 0.1 mM‐GTP gamma S reduced caffeine outward current by 93% after an average 4.5 min dialysis and spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) were abolished in 2.9 min on average. 5. Carbachol inward current (at ‐40 or ‐50 mV) and carbachol outward current (at 0 mV) in responding cells were reduced only by half after 8‐10 min dialysis with 1 mM‐GDP beta S which has been shown in portal vein cells to antagonize the depletion of Ca stores by intracellular GTP gamma S (Komori & Bolton, 1989). After 8‐10 min dialysis with 5 mM‐GDP beta S outward current was 27% of normal. However, if GDP beta S was present, outward current generally could not be evoked by a second application of carbachol. 6. The discharge of Ca stores by dialysis with 0.1 mM‐GTP gamma S was prevented completely by heparin included in the pipette solution, suggesting that activation of a G‐protein associated with phospholipase C (PLC) enzyme accelerates PLC activity. InsP3 production and depletion of Ca stores. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A role for VASP in RhoA‐Diaphanous signalling to actin dynamics and SRF activity

Vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) is involved in multiple actin‐mediated processes, including regulation of serum response factor (SRF) activity. We used the SRF transcriptional assay to define functional domains in VASP and to show that they coincide with those required for F‐actin accumulation, as determined by a quantitative FACS assay. We identified inactive VASP mutants that can interfere both with F‐actin assembly and with SRF activation by wild‐type VASP. These VASP mutants also inhibit actin‐based motility of Vaccinia virus and Shigella flexneri. VASP‐induced F‐actin accumulation and SRF activation require both functional Rho and its effector mDia, and conversely, mDia‐mediated SRF activation is critically dependent on functional VASP. VASP and mDia also associate physically in vivo. These findings show that VASP and mDia function cooperatively downstream of Rho to control F‐actin assembly and SRF activity.
Critical machine identification for power systems transient stability problems using data mining

This paper presents a new methodology based on data mining to identify the cluster of critical machines, i.e. the machines responsible for the loss of synchronization in a power system after the occurrence of a disturbance. Since only the post-fault trajectory is required, the proposed method is independent of system modeling and could be extended for multi-swing stability assessment. Numerical results obtained by applying the approach on the New England test system demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness that could be achieved in identifying the critical machines, which is also of great value for assessing transient stability problems and defining suitable emergency control actions.
Scientists' coping strategies in an evolving research system: the case of life scientists in the UK

Scientists in academia have struggled to adjust to a policy climate of uncertain funding and loss of freedom from direction and control. How UK life scientists have negotiated this challenge, and with what consequences for their research and the research system, is the empirical entrance point of this paper. We find that policy impacts can be modulated and buffered by strategies and compromises devised and deployed at research performer level. This shifts conceptualisation from terms of responses to one of more or less proactive strategies of scientists and science organisations which add up, intentionally or unintentionally, to shifts in the overall system.
A hardware architecture binarizer design for the H.264/ AVC CABAC entropy coding

The CABAC (Context Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding) in the H.264/AVC standard consists of binarizer, arithmetic encoder, and bit generator. This paper presents hardware architecture design of the binarizer part of the CABAC (Context-Based Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding) entropy encoder as defined in the H.264/AVC video compression standard. The proposed architecture avoids the support of all the binarizer method. The proposed architecture avoids the support of all the binarizer method. After implemented in Verilog-HDL and synthesized with Xilinx ISE Design the proposed architecture consumes about 394 slices and can operate at frequencies up to 267 MHz.
Nodal protrusions, increased Schmidt‐Lanterman incisures, and paranodal disorganization are characteristic features of sulfatide‐deficient peripheral nerves

Galactocerebroside and sulfatide are two major glycolipids in myelin; however, their independent functions are not fully understood. The absence of these glycolipids causes disruption of paranodal junctions, which separate voltage‐gated Na+ and Shaker‐type K+ channels in the node and juxtaparanode, respectively. In contrast to glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS), myelinating Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) possess characteristic structures, including microvilli and Schmidt‐Lanterman incisures, in addition to paranodal loops. All of these regions are involved in axo–glial interactions. In the present study, we examined cerebroside sulfotransferase‐deficient mice to determine whether sulfatide is essential for axo–glial interactions in these PNS regions. Interestingly, marked axonal protrusions were observed in some of the nodal segments, which often contained abnormally enlarged vesicles, like degenerated mitochondria. Moreover, many transversely cut ends of microvilli surrounded the mutant nodes, suggesting that alignments of the microvilli were disordered. The mutant PNS showed mild elongation of nodal Na+ channel clusters. Even though Caspr and NF155 were completely absent in half of the paranodes, short clusters of these molecules remained in the rest of the paranodal regions. Ultrastructural analysis indicated the presence of transverse bands in some paranodal regions and detachment of the outermost several loops. Furthermore, the numbers of incisures were remarkably increased in the mutant internode. Therefore, these results indicate that sulfatide may play an important role in the PNS, especially in the regions where myelin–axon interactions occur. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Low copulatory activity in selectively bred Sardinian alcohol-nonpreferring (sNP) relative to alcohol-preferring (sP) rats

Abstract Background. There is a growing consensus that similar neural mechanisms are involved in the reinforcing properties of natural rewards, like food and sex, and drugs of abuse. Rat lines selectively bred for high and low oral alcohol intake and preference have been useful for understanding factors contributing to excessive alcohol intake and may constitute proper animal models for investigating the neurobiological basis of natural rewarding stimuli. Methods. The present study evaluated copulatory behavior in alcohol and sexually naïve Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) and -nonpreferring (sNP) male rats in three consecutive copulatory behavior tests. Results. The main finding was that, under the conditions used in this study, sNP rats were sexually inactive relative to sP rats. To gain more information about the sexual behavior in sP rats, Wistar rats were included as an external reference strain. Only minor differences between sP and Wistar rats were revealed. Conclusions. The reason behind the low copulatory activity of sNP rats remains to be elucidated, but may in part be mediated by innate differences in brain transmitter systems. The comparison between sP and Wistar rats may also suggest that the inherent proclivity to excessive alcohol drinking in sP rats may mainly be dependent on its anxiolytic properties, as previously proposed, and not changes in the reward system.