Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Cytokinin and Light on Hypocotyl Elongation in Arabidopsis Seedlings Are Independent and Additive

Cytokinin has been reported to mimic some of the effects of light on de-etiolation responses in dark-grown Arabidopsis seedlings. The interaction between cytokinin and light was examined by analyzing cytokinin dose and light fluence effects on hypocotyl elongation in wild-type and mutant Arabidopsis seedlings with defects in light or hormone responses. It was found that (a) cytokinin and light-response systems have independent and additive effects on the inhibition of hypocotyl elongation and (b) either cytokinin or light can saturate the morphogenic responses. As a consequence, cytokinin has no effect on hypocotyl elongation under normal growth conditions because light levels saturate the hypocotyl inhibition response. To determine whether a functional light-response pathway is required for cytokinin responses, light-insensitive long hypocotyl (hy) mutants were tested for cytokinin responses. The hy mutants (hy1 to hy6) had normal cytokinin responses, except phyB-1 (hy3–1), in which hypocotyl elongation was insensitive to cytokinin. Cytokinin insensitivity in phyB-1 was attributed to an indirect effect of the mutation on cytokinin responses. The effects of cytokinin on the inhibition of hypocotyl elongation are largely mediated by ethylene, and blocking the ethylene-response pathway through the action of a cytokinin-resistant, ethylene-insensitive mutant (ckr1/ein2) had no effect on the light inhibition of hypocotyl elongation. These results do not support the idea that cytokinin mediates the action of light on hypocotyl elongation.
Association Between Physical Environment of Secondary Schools and Student Problem Behavior

This article examines various aspects of school physical characteristics relating to problem behavior among students. We hypothesize that an attractive physical environment will be associated with less truancy, cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use, whereas a negative physical environment will be associated with higher levels of these behaviors. Analyses use data from nationally representative samples of 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-grade students who participated in annual surveys conducted by the Monitoring the Future project from 2000 to 2003. Analyses also use data collected from principals and field interviewers of the same schools. Results based on multilevel logistic and linear regressions indicate that students are sensitive to schools' ambience and that the association of various aspects of the school's physical environment with students' problem behaviors is greater for 10th-grade students than for 8th and 12th-grade students. The implications of these findings for school policies and practices are discussed.
A study on repeat-request chunks in pull-based peer-to-peer video-on-demand streaming

For content delivery in P2P video streaming systems there are two main approaches: push-based and pull-based. In pull-based P2P video streaming, neighbor peers request missed chunks of video from each other, but sometimes peers can't receive this chunks because of the exit or delay of the corresponding neighbor. Although previous works such as forward error correction (FEC) and automatic repeat request (ARQ) have paid attention to detecting and repairing bit errors in network packets and also packet loss, they haven't considered lost chunks occurred due to churn in overlay. In this paper we study repeat-request challenges and propose two new application layer methods for repeat-requesting lost chunks based on repairing the errors of neighbors' exits and repeat-requesting the delayed chunks in pull-based P2P video on demand streaming systems. In addition in order to use these methods we propose an exit management method. We evaluate the performance of our methods via network simulation and the results showed that by using our methods we can achieve better quality of service.
Reactive power control using a carrier-based modulation for Cascaded Matrix Converter

Direct matrix converter (DMC) is an AC-to-AC direct power conversion topology based on controlled bi-directional switches that can generate variable output voltages and sinusoidal source currents with variable power factor. Cascaded Matrix Converter (CMC) is a multilevel converter which combines the main characteristics of multi-cell power topologies and direct power conversion. The basic module is based on 3×2 direct matrix converter cell. This converter is fully regenerative, with multilevel output voltage and sinusoidal source current. In this work a reactive power control using a phase-shifted PWM scheme is presented. The modulation scheme can be developed using a simple digital logic and the results from open and closed loop tests are presented to evaluate the performance of proposed modulation.
An in vitro investigation of species-dependent intestinal transport of selenium and the impact of this process on selenium bioavailability

A range of Se species has been shown to occur in a variety of different foodstuffs. Depending on its speciation, Se is more or less bioavailable to human subjects. In the present study, the role of speciation as a determinant of Se bioavailability was addressed with an investigation of species-specific mechanisms of transport at the intestinal level. The present work focused on four distinct Se compounds (selenate (Se(VI)), selenite (Se(IV)), selenomethionine (SeMet) and methylselenocysteine (MeSeCys)), whose intestinal transport was mimicked through an in vitro bicameral model of enterocyte-like differentiated Caco-2 cells. Efficiency of Se absorption was shown to be species dependent (SeMet>MeSeCys>Se(VI)>Se(IV)). In the case of SeMet, MeSeCys and Se(VI), the highly polarised passage from the apical to basolateral pole indicated that a substantial fraction of transport was transcellular, whilst results for Se(IV) indicated paracellular diffusion. Passage of the organic Se species (SeMet and MeSeCys) became saturated after 3 h, but no such effect was observed for the inorganic species. In addition, SeMet and MeSeCys transport was significantly inhibited by their respective S analogues methionine and methylcysteine, which suggests a common transport system for both kinds of compounds.
Computer‐Aided Treatments of Mental Health Problems

Many research systems use computed clinical decisions to aid the treatment of adults with mental health problems. Such systems vary widely in the extent to which they meet all a given patient's needs. Almost all are aids to, not substitutes for, a therapist. Hardly any (a) do every treatment task needed from initial screening to the end of follow-up, (b) work 100% independent of contact with a human clinician or technician, and (c) are widely available and supported. Most systems use desk- or laptop computers, some use handheld computers, and a few use computer-driven phone interviews (interactive voice response). Virtual reality work is embryonic. Computerized systems to aid treatment have promising clinical outcomes in phobic, panic, and obsessive-compulsive disorders, nonsuicidal depression, and smoking cessation. Some of the systems should soon be robust enough to ease the lives of many patients, practitioners, and researchers.
Image and data pre-processing model for real-time communication between dedicated PC and PLC Neural Network application in marble production

A model for image and data pre-processing and communication between a dedicated PC and a PLC with Neural Network (NN) application is proposed in this paper. The proposed model defines guidelines for creating a multithreaded application for receiving real-time data from several digital cameras, parallel image pre-processing based on predefined user algorithms, calculation of input data vector for NN and sending the input vector to the PLC NN application. The model was developed and verified in the laboratory “Intelligent Manufacturing Systems” at the Technical University of Sofia.
Nonperturbative quantum de Sitter universe

The dynamical generation of a four-dimensional classical universe from nothing but fundamental quantum excitations at the Planck scale is a long-standing challenge to theoretical physicists. A candidate theory of quantum gravity which achieves this goal without invoking exotic ingredients or excessive fine-tuning is based on the nonperturbative and background-independent technique of causal dynamical triangulations. We demonstrate in detail how in this approach a macroscopic de Sitter universe, accompanied by small quantum fluctuations, emerges from the full gravitational path integral, and how the effective action determining its dynamics can be reconstructed uniquely from Monte Carlo data. We also provide evidence that it may be possible to penetrate to the sub-Planckian regime, where the Planck length is large compared to the lattice spacing of the underlying regularization of geometry.
Performance of Soil Condition Indicators Across Taxonomic Groups and Land Uses

Information on soil conditions in New Zealand is needed to assess soil quality at a national scale. We tested a standard set of 16 primary indicators at 29 sites (0-10 cm depth) across nine soil great groups with matched examples of indigenous forest, plantation forest, pastures, and crops. Soils under indigenous forest were acidic (pH 5.5-5.7), low in Olsen P (5-14 μg cm -3 ), with high microbial C (814-1228 μg cm -3 ), respiration (1.1-1.4 μg C cm -3 h -1 ), total C (31.8-52.9 mg cm -3 ), macroporosity (9.6-11.7% v/v), and total available water (29.2-31.5% v/v). Plantation forest soils had generally similar characteristics. Pasture soils were less acidic (pH 5.3-6.9) than forest soils, but with more available P (5.5-43.0 μg cm -3 ), higher total C (30.7-141.5 mg cm -3 ), total N (2.7-9.0 mg cm -3 ), and mineralizable N (68-175 μg cm -3 ). The physical condition was similar to forest soils. Cropped soil had low total C (20-34 mg cm -3 ), microbial C (160-956 μg cm -3 ), respiration (0.29-1.33 μg C cm -3 h -1 ), and total available water (6.7-30.1% v/v), but high pH (5.8-7.2), Olsen P (11.2-199 μg cm -3 ), and bulk density (0.96-1.3 g cm -3 ). Principal component analysis identified outlier sites and grouped land uses independently of soil great groups. Some indicators were less useful because of high variability (unsaturated hydraulic conductivity), correlation to other indicators (microbial C) or interpretation difficulties (respiration). Overall, the standardized approach provided useful information about soil conditions on a national scale.
Educational Neuroscience: Its Position, Aims and Expectations

ABSTRACT An important issue in the discussion on educational neuroscience is the transfer of thought and findings between neuroscience and education. In addition to factual confusions in this transfer in the form of neuromyths, logical confusions, or neuro-misconceptions, can be identified. We consider these transfer difficulties in light of the way educational neuroscience is positioned in relation to the main fields involved: neuroscience, educational sciences and educational practice. A distinction between educational neuroscience as part of neuroscience, educational sciences and as an independent discipline will show that different types of questions are asked within these different positions. Distinguishing these positions will also shed light on the aim and possibilities to transfer knowledge and insights into educational practice and will elucidate the confusions in transfer. While educational neuroscience as part of educational sciences and as an independent discipline aims to directly connect to educational practice, be it in different ways, educational neuroscience as neurosciences does not have this goal or possibility.
Indirect Measurement of the Temperature Via Kalman Filter

The development of an indirect measurement model for electro thermal furnace and its implementation in a reconfigurable architecture are the main issues of this article. The proposed measurement system is based on the system model, the principle of conservation of energy and the laws of thermodynamics are applied to build a model of the thermal system where the Kalman theory is applied for filtering and prediction of the temperatures inside of a resistive furnace. Three setup are established to evaluate the performance of the indirect measurement system: off-line implementation of the algorithm on a test platform, the indirect measurement system is connected on the furnace hardware for standalone and real time operations. The measurement algorithm can be seen as a good alternative for temperature indirect measurement systems, due to its effectiveness and simplicity during the performance evaluations.
Are natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery and single-incision surgery viable techniques for cholecystectomy?

BACKGROUND Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and single-incision surgery (SIS) are less invasive alternatives to traditional laparoscopic techniques. Concerns exist over the safety of these new approaches, and randomized controlled trials have yet to confirm a net benefit. If NOTES and SIS techniques are to become standard practice, then they should be shown to be safe and hold clear benefits to patients. We aim at comparing the available results by using these techniques in a standard laparoscopic operation (cholecystectomy). METHODS A systematic review using available databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register) and the published English language medical literature was performed. All the archived articles were cross-referenced. Outcome data obtained from a Cochrane review of laparoscopic cholecystectomy were used as the control group. All the operations performed via a single incision were grouped under SIS, and operations in which a natural orifice (alone or as a hybrid technique) was analyzed, under NOTES group. Mortality and complications were the primary outcome measures. RESULTS One hundred thirty-five papers including 4703 patients (714 NOTES, 3989 SIS) were selected for analysis. Overall complication rate was 4.2% in the NOTES group versus 4.3% in the SIS group, with a distinct complication profile. No mortality was reported in either group. NOTES procedures had a longer mean operative time than SIS techniques (107 versus 79 minutes). The conversion rate between NOTES and SILS was similar (3.4% versus 3.3%, respectively). DISCUSSION No difference in the incidence of complications was observed with the newer techniques. Adequately powered randomized control trials are needed to clarify whether SIS/NOTES cholecystectomy has a similar length of hospital stay to traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The increased occurrence of specific types of complications and their use in acute pathology needs further investigation to warrant further use in routine surgical practice.
tattoos are like potato chips ... you can't have just one: the process of becoming and being a collector

The following article examines the processes tattoo collectors undergo to become collectors.I examine howtattoo collectors learn that they want to become collectors, are recruited into the social world of tattoo collectors by other collectors and artists, and learn howto interpret their collecting as appropriate for themselves. This ethnographic study is framed in Matza's (1969) theory of the etiology of deviance and Schutz's (1962, 1967) phenomenology.
Identification of Lightning Strike on 500-kV Transmission Line Based on the Time-Domain Parameters of a Traveling Wave

This paper presents a novel and analytical approach to identifying a lightning strike after it has struck an overhead transmission line. The identification method is mainly based on the traveling waves' time-domain parameters, such as polarity, amplitude, and half-wavelength. The main differences in these parameters across different strike types are analyzed. Subsequently, a robust identification algorithm is proposed. An instrumentation system is implemented to verify the algorithm. The overall performances of the instrumentation system and the methodology are demonstrated using an on-site application with excellent results.
Production of Antiserum for the Diagnosis of Scrapie and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy using a Baculovirus-Expressed Prion Protein Antigen

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie are transmissible neurodegenerative diseases of cattle and sheep, respectively. Related spongiform encephalopathies occur in several other animal species and in humans. The etiology of these diseases is incompletely understood, but in all of them there occurs an accumulation of a 23-30-kD proteinase IS (PK)-resistant isoform of a glycoprotein termed the prion protein (PrP). A PK-sensitive isoform of the protein (PrP) with an identical amino acid sequence is found in normal animals. Prion protein (PrP) genes are normal components of the mammalian genome, and both healthy and diseased animals are normally immunotolerant to whichever isoform of PrP is present in their tissues. Scrapie and BSE have traditionally been diagnosed by histopathologic, clinical, and epidemiologic methods because naturally infected animals do not respond serologically to PrP, and diagnosis by laboratory animal inoculation may require up to 18 months. An anti-PrP antibody response to both PrP and PrP can be evoked experimentally using
The genome sequence of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis reveals adaptations for milk utilization within the infant microbiome

Following birth, the breast-fed infant gastrointestinal tract is rapidly colonized by a microbial consortium often dominated by bifidobacteria. Accordingly, the complete genome sequence of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis ATCC15697 reflects a competitive nutrient-utilization strategy targeting milk-borne molecules which lack a nutritive value to the neonate. Several chromosomal loci reflect potential adaptation to the infant host including a 43 kbp cluster encoding catabolic genes, extracellular solute binding proteins and permeases predicted to be active on milk oligosaccharides. An examination of in vivo metabolism has detected the hallmarks of milk oligosaccharide utilization via the central fermentative pathway using metabolomic and proteomic approaches. Finally, conservation of gene clusters in multiple isolates corroborates the genomic mechanism underlying milk utilization for this infant-associated phylotype.
Affect-inducing risk communication: current knowledge and future directions

Affect appears to have a central role in people’s risk perception and decision-making. It is, therefore, important that researchers and communicators know how risk communication can induce affect or more specific emotions. In this paper, several studies that examined affect-inducing cues presented in and around risk communication are discussed. We thereby distinguish between integral affect induction, meaning through the risk message, and incidental affect induction, which occurs unintentional through the risk communication context. The following cues are discussed: emotion induction, fear appeals, outrage factors, risk stories, probability information, uncertainty information and graphs and images. Relatively few studies assessed the effect of their risk communication material on affect or specific emotions. Incidental affect induction appeared to occur more often than expected based on its factual content. Risk communication easily seems to induce affect incidentally and, thus, may be difficult to control. We, therefore, argue that incidental affect induction is more influential than integral affect induction. Implications for further research and risk communication in practice are given. Based on this overview, we strongly suggest considering and empirically assessing the affect-inducing potential of risk communication formats and content during their development and evaluation.
CRM1-mediated Recycling of Snurportin 1 to the Cytoplasm

Importin β is a major mediator of import into the cell nucleus. Importin β binds cargo molecules either directly or via two types of adapter molecules, importin α, for import of proteins with a classical nuclear localization signal (NLS), or snurportin 1, for import of m3G-capped U snRNPs. Both adapters have an NH2-terminal importin β–binding domain for binding to, and import by, importin β, and both need to be returned to the cytoplasm after having delivered their cargoes to the nucleus. We have shown previously that CAS mediates export of importin α. Here we show that snurportin 1 is exported by CRM1, the receptor for leucine-rich nuclear export signals (NESs). However, the interaction of CRM1 with snurportin 1 differs from that with previously characterized NESs. First, CRM1 binds snurportin 1 50-fold stronger than the Rev protein and 5,000-fold stronger than the minimum Rev activation domain. Second, snurportin 1 interacts with CRM1 not through a short peptide but rather via a large domain that allows regulation of affinity. Strikingly, snurportin 1 has a low affinity for CRM1 when bound to its m3G-capped import substrate, and a high affinity when substrate-free. This mechanism appears crucial for productive import cycles as it can ensure that CRM1 only exports snurportin 1 that has already released its import substrate in the nucleus.
Ten-Year Stability of Verbal and Nonverbal IQ Scores

Intelligence tests continue to be the most widely used measures of cognitive aptitudes. Performance on such measures is usually expressed as an IQ score. Popular opinion to the contrary, relatively little is known about the long term measuring of IQ scores from group verbal and non-verbal intelligence tests, especially the latter. This study shows that, below ten years of age, stability in IQ scores from group verbal tests is considerably below that for the Stanford-Binet. Non-verbal IQ scores were found to have substantially less stability than Verbal IQs.
Outage capacity of multi-hop wireless communication systems over κ-μ fading channels using generalized Gaussian-finite-mixture technique

In this paper, we study the outage capacity of amplify and forward (AF) multi-hop wireless communication systems over independent but not necessarily identical κ - μ fading channels. First, the probability density function (pdf) of the end to end signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the system is approximated as a weighted sum of Gaussian pdfs using the Gaussian finite mixture technique with expectation maximization. The approximated pdf is then utilized to derive a closed form expression for the outage capacity of the system in terms of a weighted sum of Q-functions. Numerical results show close agreement between simulation and analytical results.
F-Actin and Myosin II Accelerate Catecholamine Release from Chromaffin Granules

The roles of nonmuscle myosin II and cortical actin filaments in chromaffin granule exocytosis were studied by confocal fluorescence microscopy, amperometry, and cell-attached capacitance measurements. Fluorescence imaging indicated decreased mobility of granules near the plasma membrane following inhibition of myosin II function with blebbistatin. Slower fusion pore expansion rates and longer fusion pore lifetimes were observed after inhibition of actin polymerization using cytochalasin D. Amperometric recordings revealed increased amperometric spike half-widths without change in quantal size after either myosin II inhibition or actin disruption. These results suggest that actin and myosin II facilitate release from individual chromaffin granules by accelerating dissociation of catecholamines from the intragranular matrix possibly through generation of mechanical forces.