Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rotary kiln flame image segmentation based on FCM and gabor wavelet based texture coarseness

Presents an improved segmentation algorithm for flame image of rotary kiln burning zone, based on Gabor wavelet based texture coarseness and Fuzzy C-MEANS (FCM) cluster algorithm. At first, analyses the flame image in detail, divides it into four areas (flame area, material area, illuminated area, background area) by expert experiences and applies threshold segmentation in order to get rid of background area from flame image. Then carries out general FCM algorithm with grey level of grey flame image and gets a preliminary membership matrix, calculates texture coarseness of the flame image by Gabor wavelet texture filters. At last performs Defuzzification operation on the above membership matrix based on the differences of texture coarseness between material area and flame area to exactly separate material area and flame area from the original flame image. Experiments have proven the validity of this new segmentation algorithm for flame image.
Mutual information estimates of CTG synchronization

We examined the use of mutual information (MI) and the instantaneous phase of the analytic signal to address synchronization of uterine pressure (UP) and fetal heart rate (FHR). MI was used to assess the UP-FHR coupling because it is suitable for non-linear systems with non-Gaussian noise. Estimating degree of synchronicity and UP-FHR delay length is useful since they are physiological correlates to fetal hypoxia. Mutual information of the UP/FHR discriminated N and MA fetuses more often (9 of 18 epochs) and earlier (100 min) than conventional cross-correlation.
POEMS: A Paper Based Meeting Service Management Tool

This paper proposes POEMS (paper offered environment management service) that can facilitate the activation of various services with a pen and paper based interface. With this tool, meeting participants can control meeting support devices on the same paper that they take notes. Additionally, a meeting participant can also share his/her paper drawings on a selected public display or initiate a collaborative discussion on a selected public display with a page of paper. Compared with traditional interfaces, such as tablet PC or PDA based interfaces, the interface of this tool has much higher resolution and is much cheaper and easier to deploy. The paper interface is also natural to use for ordinary people. With this tool, the screens are automatically started when a pen is pressed on a piece of paper. A presenter can control his/her presentation progress with time-stamped paper taps or drawings. A meeting participant can use the pen to share writing or make annotations on a public display. Users can use the pen to control pointers on public displays. They can use the pen to control a slideshow playback.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of the afa-7and afa-8 Gene Clusters Encoding Afimbrial Adhesins inEscherichia coli Strains Associated with Diarrhea or Septicemia in Calves

ABSTRACT The afa gene clusters, which encode proteins involved in adhesion to epithelial cells, from Escherichia colistrains associated with urinary and intestinal infections in humans have been characterized. Pathogenic isolates of bovine and porcine origin that possess afa-related sequences have recently been described. We report in this work the cloning and characterization of the afa-7 and afa-8 gene clusters from bovine isolates. Hybridization and sequencing experiments revealed that despite similarity in genetic organization, the afa-7 andafa-8 genes, and the well-characterized afa-3operon expressed by human-pathogenic isolates, correspond to three different members of the afa family of gene clusters. However, like the afa-3 gene cluster, both theafa-7 and afa-8 gene clusters were found to encode an afimbrial adhesin (AfaE) and an invasin (AfaD). The AfaD peptides encoded by the three gene clusters were only 45% identical, but functional complementation experiments indicated that they belong to the same family of invasins. Hemagglutination and adhesion assays demonstrated that the AfaE-VII and AfaE-VIII adhesins bind to different receptors and that these receptors are not the human decay-accelerating factor recognized to be the receptor of all previously described AfaE adhesins. The AfaE-VIII adhesin is very similar to the M agglutinin of human-uropathogenic strains. We used PCR assays to screen 25 bovine strains for afaD and afaE genes of either theafa-7 or afa-8 gene cluster. Theafa-8 gene cluster was highly prevalent in bovine isolates previously reported to carry afa-related sequences (23 of 24 strains), particularly in strains producing cytotoxic necrotizing factors (16 of 16 strains). The location of the afa-8 gene cluster on the plasmids or chromosome of these isolates suggests that it could be carried by a mobile element, facilitating its dissemination among bovine-pathogenic E. coli strains.
Expertise in a Computer Operating System: Conceptualization and Performance

This article describes a three-part empirical approach to understanding the development of expertise within the UNIX1 operating system. We studied UNIX users with varying levels of expertise. The first part of our research attempted to ascertain the nature of their conceptualizations of the UNIX system. The second part measured users' performance in tasks requiring them to comprehend and produce UNIX commands. The third part was a longitudinal rather than cross-sectional analysis of the emergence of expertise. The conceptualization data suggest important differences in the models of UNIX structure formed by each group. Experts best represent the higher levels of the UNIX system; novices more fully represent the lower, more concrete levels of the system, including specific commands. UNIX users also differ markedly in performance, according to their history of use with the operating system. Only experts could successfully produce composite commands that required use of the distinctive features of UNIX (e.g., pipes and other redirection symbols), even though the intermediates and novices evidenced the component knowledge required for composite commands. This finding is somewhat surprising, inasmuch as these are fundamental design features of UNIX, and these features are taught in elementary classes. These data suggest, however, that these features can be used reliably only after extensive experience. The longitudinal data suggest that most subjects increased in expertise. However, expertise can decrease as a function of time, depending on system use. Those subjects who increased in expertise acquired the ability to produce the simple commands and represent the basic modules before they acquired knowledge of complex commands and advanced utilities. The nature of expertise is considered with respect to both system design and user characteristics, including users' conceptual models of system structure.
miR-217 regulates tumor growth and apoptosis by targeting the MAPK signaling pathway in colorectal cancer

MicroRNA (miR)-217 has been reported to participate in carcinogenesis and tumor progression in several cancers; however, its expression and biological functions in colorectal cancer (CRC) are still unclear. The present study demonstrated that miR-217 expression was significantly higher in matched adjacent noncancerous tissues than in CRC tissues (P<0.001). In addition, it was observed that low-grade CRC exhibited greater expression of miR-217 compared with high-grade CRC (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses revealed that overall survival rates were significantly poorer in the low-expression group relative to the high-expression group (P<0.005). Next, a potential miR-217 target, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) 1, was identified. Upregulation of miR-217 could significantly downregulate MAPK1 expression. CRC cells overexpressing miR-217 exhibited cell growth inhibition by significant enhancement of apoptosis in vitro. The present study further investigated the MAPK signaling pathway to verify the mechanisms, and revealed that KRAS and Raf-1 expression was downregulated in miR-217-overexpressing RKO cells. Taken together, our results revealed that miR-217 inhibits tumor growth and enhances apoptosis in CRC, and that this is associated with the downregulation of MAPK signaling. These results indicate that miR-217 is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of CRC.
Ovarian cancer susceptibility alleles and risk of ovarian cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers

Germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are associated with increased risks of breast and ovarian cancer. A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) identified six alleles associated with risk of ovarian cancer for women in the general population. We evaluated four of these loci as potential modifiers of ovarian cancer risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Four single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs10088218 (at 8q24), rs2665390 (at 3q25), rs717852 (at 2q31), and rs9303542 (at 17q21), were genotyped in 12,599 BRCA1 and 7,132 BRCA2 carriers, including 2,678 ovarian cancer cases. Associations were evaluated within a retrospective cohort approach. All four loci were associated with ovarian cancer risk in BRCA2 carriers; rs10088218 per‐allele hazard ratio (HR) = 0.81 (95% CI: 0.67–0.98) P‐trend = 0.033, rs2665390 HR = 1.48 (95% CI: 1.21–1.83) P‐trend = 1.8 × 10−4, rs717852 HR = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.10–1.42) P‐trend = 6.6 × 10−4, rs9303542 HR = 1.16 (95% CI: 1.02–1.33) P‐trend = 0.026. Two loci were associated with ovarian cancer risk in BRCA1 carriers; rs10088218 per‐allele HR = 0.89 (95% CI: 0.81–0.99) P‐trend = 0.029, rs2665390 HR = 1.25 (95% CI: 1.10–1.42) P‐trend = 6.1 × 10−4. The HR estimates for the remaining loci were consistent with odds ratio estimates for the general population. The identification of multiple loci modifying ovarian cancer risk may be useful for counseling women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations regarding their risk of ovarian cancer. Hum Mutat 33:690–702, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Amplifying Outcomes by Addressing Inequality: The Role of Gender-transformative Approaches in Agricultural Research for Development

Abstract Increasing agreement on the relevance of gender and social equalities to agricultural development outcomes has not come with the same consensus within the development community regarding ways to intervene in the sector to foster equality. The guiding principles of agriculture research for development (AR4D) and its focus on capacity development can contribute to this debate and to advancing gender integration in the sector if the “social threads” within its principles are developed more thoroughly. The aim of the article is to articulate how the social dimension of AR4D could be further developed through the conceptualization and operationalization of gender-transformative approaches (GTAs). The article provides a case study from the aquaculture sector of Bangladesh to illustrate why this is needed, and it describes some ways forward to move GTAs into agricultural practice and test their contributions to development outcomes. Such an action research agenda will generate learning that can be used to make the most out of synergies between enhanced social equality and capacities to innovate.
Optimally weighted least-squares steganalysis

Quantitative steganalysis aims to estimate the amount of payload in a stego object, and such estimators seem to arise naturally in steganalysis of Least Significant Bit (LSB) replacement in digital images. However, as with all steganalysis, the estimators are subject to errors, and their magnitude seems heavily dependent on properties of the cover. In very recent work we have given the first derivation of estimation error, for a certain method of steganalysis (the Least-Squares variant of Sample Pairs Analysis) of LSB replacement steganography in digital images. In this paper we make use of our theoretical results to find an improved estimator and detector. We also extend the theoretical analysis to another (more accurate) steganalysis estimator (Triples Analysis) and hence derive an improved version of that estimator too. Experimental results show that the new steganalyzers have improved accuracy, particularly in the difficult case of never-compressed covers.
Each Domain of the N-Ethylmaleimide-sensitive Fusion Protein Contributes to Its Transport Activity (*)

N-Ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) has been shown to be involved in numerous intracellular transport events. In an effort to understand the basic mechanism of NSF in vesicle-target membrane fusion events, we have examined the role that each of its three domains play in how NSF interacts with the SNAP•SNARE complex. Mutagenesis of the first ATP-binding domain (D1, amino acids 206-477) demonstrates that nucleotide binding by this domain is required for 20 S particle assembly. A second mutation, which permits ATP binding but not hydrolysis, yields a protein that can form 20 S particle but fails to mediate its disassembly. Similar mutations of the second ATP-binding domain (D2, amino acids 478-744) result in trimeric molecules that behave like wild type NSF. Domain rearrangement mutants were used to further probe the functional role of each domain. The amino-terminal domain (N, amino acids 1-205) is absolutely required for binding of NSF to the SNAP•SNARE complex, because the truncated mutant, D1D2, is unable to form 20 S particle. When tested as an isolated recombinant protein, the N domain is not sufficient for binding to the SNAP•SNARE complex, but when adjacent to the D1 domain or in a trimeric molecule, the N domain does mediate binding to the SNAP•SNARE complex. Monomeric N-D1 and trimeric N-D2 could both participate in particle formation. Only the N-D1 mutant was able to facilitate MgATP-dependent release from the SNAP•SNARE complex. These data demonstrate that NSF binding to the SNAP•SNARE complex is mediated by the N domain and that both ATP binding and hydrolysis by the D1 domain are essential for 20 S particle dynamics. The intramolecular interactions outlined suggest a mechanism by which NSF may use ATP hydrolysis to facilitate the vesicle fusion process.
Characterization of Murine Dendritic Cell Line JAWS II and Primary Bone Marrow-Derived Dendritic Cells in Chlamydia muridarum Antigen Presentation and Induction of Protective Immunity

ABSTRACT Dendritic cells (DCs) appear to orchestrate much of the immunobiology of Chlamydia infection, but most studies of Chlamydia-DC interaction have been limited by the availability and heterogeneity of primary bone marrow-derived DCs (BMDCs). We therefore evaluated the immunobiology of Chlamydia muridarum infection in an immortal DC line termed JAWS II derived from BMDCs of a C57BL/6 p53-knockout mouse. JAWS II cells were permissive to the developmental cycle of Chlamydia. Infection-induced cell death was 50 to 80% less in JAWS II cells than in BMDCs. Chlamydia infected JAWS II cells and yielded infectious progeny 10-fold greater than that with primary BMDCs. JAWS II cells showed an expression pattern of cell activation markers and cytokine secretion following Chlamydia infection similar to that of primary BMDCs by up-regulating the expression of CD86, CD40, and major histocompatibility complex class II and secreting significant amounts of interleukin-12 (IL-12) but not IL-10. JAWS II cells pulsed with Chlamydia stimulated immune CD4+ T cells to secrete gamma interferon. Adoptive transfer of ex vivo Chlamydia-pulsed JAWS II cells conferred levels of immunity on C57BL/6 mice similar to those conferred by primary BMDCs. Taken together, the data show that JAWS II cells exhibit immunobiological characteristics and functions similar to those of primary BMDCs in terms of Chlamydia antigen presentation in vitro and antigen delivery in vivo. We conclude that the JAWS II cell line can substitute for primary BMDCs in Chlamydia immunobiological studies.
Infection Rate Assay by Nested PCR and the Phylogenetic Analysis of Himetobi P Virus in the Main Pests of Rice—Wheat Cropping Systems

ABSTRACT Himetobi P virus (HiPV) is an ssRNA in the family Dicistroviridae that infects rice pests belonging to Hemiptera. To determine its host range, a nested PCR method was designed to detect HiPV in some of the main rice pests (Hemiptera) in eastern China. The incidence of infection in the grain aphid Sitobion avenae Fabricius (Hemiptera: Aphididae) was low (3%), while high incidences of infection occurred in the planthoppers Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) (100%) and Nilaparvata lugens (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) (51%) and in the leafhoppers Cicadella viridis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) (90%) and Nephotettix cincticeps (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) (57%). Phylogenetic analysis by maximum likelihood tree and median-joining networks implied the HiPVs from the same hosts were genetically close. Neutral equilibrium evolution for the polymorphism data was tested by the Tajima's D test and by Fu and Li's D and F tests. Test values were negative, which indicates a selection on the HiPV haplotypes. We sequenced the complete genome sequence of HiPV to look for evidence of recombination. We identified a recombination event in which two genomes recombined in the region of ORF2. The two open reading frames of the HiPV had been selected with low Ka/Ks ratios compared with two previous genome sequences.
Nicotine Effect on Cardiovascular System and Ion Channels

Smoking is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Nicotine is one of the components of cigarette smoke. Nicotine effects on the cardiovascular system reflect the activity of the nicotine receptors centrally and on peripheral autonomic ganglia. It has been found that cigarette smoke extract-induced contraction of porcine coronary arteries is related to superoxide anion-mediated degradation of nitric oxide. Treatment of rabbit aortas with an oxygen free radicals scavenger attenuated cigarette smoke impairment of arterial relaxation. Treatment of smokers with vitamin C, an antioxidant, improved impaired endothelium-dependent reactivity of large peripheral arteries. Thus it appears that chronic smoking and acute exposure to cigarette smoke extract may alter endothelium-dependent reactivity via the production of oxygen derived free radicals. This review discusses the effects of nicotine on resistance arterioles, compliance arteries, smooth muscle cells, and ion channels in the cardiovascular system. We discuss studies performed on humans, nicotine-exposed animals, and cell cultures yielding varying and inconsistent results that may be due to differences in experimental design, species, and the dose of exposure. Nicotine exposure appears to induce a combination of free radical production, vascular wall adhesion, and a reduction of fibrinolytic activity in the plasma.
Daily Spillover to and from Binge Eating in First-Year University Females

Coping models of binge eating propose that stress and/or negative affect trigger binge eating, which serves to shift attention to the binge and its consequences. The current study tested these general assumptions using 14-day daily diary data collected from 66 first-year university females. Hierarchical Generalized Linear Modeling results showed that increased stress, negative affect, and weight concerns were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting symptoms of binge eating within days. Elevated weight concerns predicted next-day binge eating and binge eating predicted greater next-day negative affect. Discussion focuses on implications for coping models of binge eating. This research was supported by a Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences grant from the University of Alberta to N. Galambos.
The contribution of personality resources to professional coaches' occupational well-being

Orientation to Life Questionnaire by Antonovsky, 1987), emotional intelligence (Emotional Intelligence Scale by Schutte et al., 1998) and three indicators of occupational well-being (current working capacity, work enjoyment, perceived coaching-related stress). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results. Correlational findings showed that self-esteem, SOC, and the emotional skills of emotion identification and regulation were positively related to coaches’ current work ability and work enjoyment. Self-esteem and the Comprehensibility and Manageability sub-dimensions of SOC were additionally related to lower perceived coaching-related stress. The findings based on SEM showed that SOC and emotional skills of emotion identification and regulation accounted for 42% of the variance of professional coaches’ occupational well-being. Additionally, male coaches had better self-esteem and stronger SOC than female coaches.
On the mechanism by which midazolam causes spinally mediated analgesia.

The electrical current thresholds for pain (ECTP) in the skin of the neck and tail were measured in rats with chronically implanted lumbar subarachnoid catheters. The effects of a benzodiazepine antagonist and a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonist on the analgesic effects of equivalent doses of midazolam, fentanyl, and ketocyclazocine were studied. These were the minimum doses producing maximal segmental analgesia when given intrathecally (i.e., they all caused a significant and maximum increase in ECTP in the tail, which was similar for all three drugs, but no significant change in the ECTP in the neck). Flumazenil (Ro 15-1788) administration caused a parallel shift to the right of the dose-response curve for midazolam spinal analgesia. Segmental analgesia following midazolam was also significantly attenuated (P less than 0.05) when the selective GABA antagonist bicuculline was given intrathecally at the same time as midazolam. The highest dose of bicuculline used (50 pmol) caused no significant attenuation of the segmental analgesic effects of either ketocyclazocine or fentanyl. The authors concluded that the segmental analgesia produced by intrathecal midazolam is mediated by the benzodiazepine-GABA receptor complex that is involved in other benzodiazepine actions.
Mephedrone, compared with MDMA (ecstasy) and amphetamine, rapidly increases both dopamine and 5‐HT levels in nucleus accumbens of awake rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The designer drug 1‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐2‐methylaminopropan‐1‐one (4‐methylmethcathinone, mephedrone) is reported to possess psychostimulant, entactogenic and hallucinogenic effects. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of acute administration of mephedrone on extracellular levels of dopamine (DA) and 5‐HT in the nucleus accumbens of awake rats and compare these effects with those induced by 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) and amphetamine.
Navigation in desert ants: the robotic solution

The desert ant Cataglyphis is able to explore its desert habitat for hundreds of meters while foraging and return back to its nest precisely and in a straight line. With a body of less than 10 mm and a brain of less than one cubic millimeter they provide a challenge for hi-tech engineers. In this article, we give an overview of our attempts to model parts of its navigation behavior using robots and computer simulations. Inspired by the insect's navigation system we have developed mechanisms for path integration and visual piloting that were successfully employed on the mobile robot Sahabot 2.