Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of waterlogging on regeneration in the dwarf birch (Betula nana)

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of waterlogging on annual regeneration in the dwarf birch (Betula nana L.), and to determine which demographic factors are responsible for the absence of B. nana in the waterlogged parts of a peat-bog. Growth parameters and demographic data were collected from 2001 to 2003 at four sites in the Linje peat bog in the Chełmno Lake District in northern Poland. Three of the sites represented waterlogged open bog communities. The fourth site served as the reference. The density of first-year ramets, annual shoot growth, and the proportion of flowering shoots was significantly lower at the waterlogged sites than at the reference site. No seedlings were found during the course of the study, even though flowering and fruit production took place at the reference site. The flowering shoots were mainly between nine and thirteen years old. Ramets in this age range were found only at the reference site due to high mortality in mature ramets at the waterlogged sites. Mean ramet height was significantly lower at the waterlogged sites than at the reference site, and was strongly correlated with mean ramet age. The distribution of B. nana in peat bogs is limited primarily by two demographic factors: the high mortality rate in older ramets, and the low rate of vegetative reproduction. Another contribution factor is that the proportion of older fertile ramets is low. The effects of fluctuations in the water table on distribution of B. nana are also discussed.
Learning random walks to rank nodes in graphs

Ranking nodes in graphs is of much recent interest. Edges, via the graph Laplacian, are used to encourage local smoothness of node scores in SVM-like formulations with generalization guarantees. In contrast, Page-rank variants are based on Markovian random walks. For directed graphs, there is no simple known correspondence between these views of scoring/ranking. Recent scalable algorithms for learning the Pagerank transition probabilities do not have generalization guarantees. In this paper we show some correspondence results between the Laplacian and the Pagerank approaches, and give new generalization guarantees for the latter. We enhance the Pagerank-learning approaches to use an additive margin. We also propose a general framework for rank-sensitive score-learning, and apply it to Laplacian smoothing. Experimental results are promising.
Logic in wire: using quantum dots to implement a microprocessor

Despite the seemingly endless upwards spiral of modern VLSI technology many experts are predicting a hard wall for CMOS in about a decade. Given this, researchers continue to look at alternative technologies, one of which is based on quantum dots, called quantum cellular automata. While the first such devices have been fabricated, little is known about how to design complete systems. This paper summarizes one of the first such studies, namely an attempt to design a complete, albeit simple, CPU in the technology. The projections are striking: a projected 10 to 1 increase in circuit density when compared to a CMOS equivalent, but a design approach which is radically different from conventional "logic" design, especially in timing considerations.
Integration of Stiff Equations.

In the study of chemical kinetics, electrical circuit theory, and problems of missile guidance a type of differential equation arises which is exceedingly difficult to solve by ordinary numerical procedures. A very satisfactory method of solution-of these equations is obtained by making use of a forward interpolation process. This scheme has the unusual property of singling out and approximating a particular solution of the differential equation to the exclusion of the manifold of other solutions. This behavior may be explained by a simple geometrical interpretation of the significance of the forward interpolation process. The differential equations to which this method applies are called "stiff. " A typical example of a stiff equation is the equation representing the rate of formation of free radicals in a complex chemical reaction. The free radicals are created and destroyed so rapidly compared to the time scale for the over-all reaction that to a first approximation the rate of production is equal to the rate of depletion. This is the notion of the pseudo-stationary state. In some cases such as the fast reactions occurring in flames or detonations, this approximation is not sufficiently accurate. The method described in the present paper provides a means for obtaining solutions to equations of this type to any degree of accuracy. The nunmerical procedure described here can easily be extended to sets of simultaneous first-order differential equations. In any particular region, the differential equations can be uncoupled by introducing suitable linear combinations of the original dependent variables. Some of the uncoupled equations may be "stiff" in which case they can be integrated by the methods discussed here; whereas other uncoupled equations may be integrated by the more usual procedures. 1. Concept of Stiff Equations. -Consider the first-order differential equation,
Morphological and electromechanical studies of fibers coated with electrically conductive polymer

Electrically conductive fibers have been prepared by polymerization of pyrrole on surfaces of commercial polymer fibers. Thickness and morphology of the conducting thin film on the surface of the fibers were examined by scanning probe microscopy, indicating a strong dependence of the substrate's nature, in addition to the processing conditions. Electromechanical property was investigated by an electromechanical testing system, showing that a smooth and uniform coating and the matched mechanical properties will lead to a satisfied performance of conductive fiber sensors. The difference in the behavior of two types of composite fibers was investigated by scanning electron microscopy in situ observations. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1844–1854, 2005
Diagnostics of tumor cells by combination of Raman spectroscopy and microfluidics

Circulating epithelial tumor cells are of increasing importance for tumor diagnosis and therapy monitoring of cancer patients. The definite identification of the rare tumor cells within numerous blood cells is challenging. Therefore, within the research initiative "Jenaer Zell-Identifizierungs-Gruppe" (JenZIG) we develop new methods for cell identification, micromanipulation and sorting based on spectroscopic methods and microfluidic systems. In this contribution we show, that classification models based on Raman spectroscopic analysis allow a precise discrimination of tumor cells from non-tumor cells with high prediction accuracies, up to more than 99% for dried cells. That holds true for unknown cell mixtures (tumor cells and leukocytes/erythrocytes) under dried conditions as well as in solution using the Raman laser as an optical tweezers to keep the cells in focus. We extended our studies by using a capillary system consisting of a quartz capillary, fiber optics and an adjustable fitting to trap cells. This system allows a prediction accuracy of 92.2% on the single cell level, and is a prerequisite for the development of a cell sorting and identification device based on a microfluidic chip. Initial experiments show that tumor cell lines can be differentiated from healthy leukocyte cells with an accuracy of more than 98%.
Quantitative analysis of protein synthesis in mouse embryos. I. Extensive reprogramming at the one- and two-cell stages.

A quantitative, high-resolution, two-dimensional gel protein database has been constructed for the mouse embryo. This database has been used to obtain a detailed accounting of the amount and relative timing of changes in protein synthesis that occur during the 1-, 2-, and 4-cell stages along with a description of the most prevalent developmentally regulated patterns of synthesis. We find that during these early stages of development the pattern of proteins synthesized changes to a much greater extent than previously appreciated. During the 1- and 2-cell stages, the majority (60% and 85%, respectively) of the analyzed proteins exhibit twofold or greater changes in their rates of synthesis. The periods of greatest change are the late 1-cell and mid 2-cell stages, during which an extensive remodelling of protein synthetic pattern occurs that is largely complete by 15 h following the first cleavage. Once this reprogramming is complete, very little change is observed during the late 2-cell and 4-cell stages. Cluster analysis of individual protein synthesis patterns reveals a limited number of coordinately regulated protein sets that are responsible for most of the changes observed during the 1- and 2-cell stages. During the 2-cell stage, one third of the proteins increase by an average of fivefold, another third decrease by an average of sevenfold, and 10% undergo transient changes in rates of synthesis. These patterns reflect the switch from zygotic to maternal mRNA utilization following transcriptional activation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Heart failure prevalence, incidence, and mortality in the elderly with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to determine heart failure prevalence and incidence rates, subsequent mortality, and risk factors for heart failure among older populations in Medicare with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used a national 5% sample of Medicare claims from 1994 to 1999 to perform a population-based, nonconcurrent cohort study in 151,738 beneficiaries with diabetes who were age > or =65 years, not in managed care, and were alive on 1 January 1995. Prevalent heart failure was defined as a diagnosis of heart failure in 1994; incident heart failure was defined as a new diagnosis in 1995-1999 among those without prevalent heart failure. Mortality was assessed through 31 December 1999. RESULTS Heart failure was prevalent in 22.3% in 1994. Among individuals without heart failure in 1994, the heart failure incidence rate was 12.6 per 100 person-years (95% CI 12.5-12.7 per 100 person-years). Incidence was similar by sex and race and increased significantly with age and diabetes-related comorbidities. The adjusted hazard of incident heart failure increased for individuals with the following: metabolic complications of diabetes (a proxy for poor control and/or severity) (hazards ratio 1.23, 95% CI 1.18-1.29), ischemic heart disease (1.74, 1.70-1.79), nephropathy (1.55, 1.45-1.67), and peripheral vascular disease (1.35, 1.31-1.39). Over 60 months, incident heart failure among older adults with diabetes was associated with high mortality-32.7 per 100 person-years compared with 3.7 per 100 person-years among those with diabetes who remained heart failure free. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate alarmingly high prevalence, incidence, and mortality for heart failure in individuals with diabetes. Prevention of heart failure should be a research and clinical priority.
Effect of Mn Doping on Optical Properties of Nanostructured ZnO Thin Film

Undoped and ZnO: Mn thin films with different Mn content ( 5, 10 and 15 mol%) were grown on glass substrates by spray pyrolysis technique. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that single phase wurtzite structure is formed in all samples. XRD results also indicated that the undoped ZnO were crystallized in c-axis oriented wurtzite structure, while the ZnO: Mn thin films were polycrystalline. The SEM results revealed that Mn presence were modified the surface morphology of the samples. The optical transmittance measurements were performed in the wavelength range from 190 to 1100 nm. The refractive index, extinction coefficient and film thickness were determined by using pointwise unconstrained minimization model. It was observed that the refractive index increased with the increase in Mn concentration. Also, the thin films exhibited the direct band gap increased from 3.20 to 3.28 eV with the increase in Mn content. The optical dispersion parameters have been calculated and analyzed by using Wemple-Di Domenico relation. The obtained values showed that dispersion energy Ed of doped samples was found to be decreasing comparing to undoped thin film.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) DNA Triage of Women with Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance with Amplicor HPV and Hybrid Capture 2 Assays for Detection of High-Grade Lesions of the Uterine Cervix

ABSTRACT Up to 20% of women having a cytology smear showing atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) and infected with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR HPV) have high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3). Results obtained with the Amplicor HPV and Hybrid Capture 2 (HC-2) assays for HR HPV DNA detection in women referred to colposcopy for an ASC-US smear were compared. Cervical samples in PreservCyt were tested for the presence of 13 HR HPV types with HC-2, with Amplicor at three cutoffs for positivity (0.2, 1.0, and 1.5 optical density units), and for 36 genotypes with the Linear Array (LA). Of 396 eligible women, 316 did not have CIN, 47 had CIN 1, 29 had CIN 2/3, and 4 had CIN of unknown grade. HR HPV was detected in 129 (32.6%) and 164 (41.4%) samples with HC-2 and Amplicor HPV (cutoff, 0.2), respectively (P = 0.01). Overall, 112 specimens were positive and 215 were negative with the HC-2 and Amplicor HPV assays (agreement of 82.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 78.5 to 86.0). The clinical sensitivity and specificity of Amplicor HPV at cutoffs of 0.2, 1.0 and 1.5 and of HC-2 for detection of CIN 2/3 were 89.7% (95% CI, 72.8 to 97.2) and 62.5% (95% CI, 57.5 to 52.4), 89.7% (95% CI, 72.8 to 97.2) and 64.5% (95% CI, 59.4 to 69.2), 89.7% (95% CI, 72.8 to 97.2) and 64.7% (95% CI, 59.7 to 69.5), and 93.1% (95% CI, 77.0 to 99.2) and 72.2% (95% CI, 67.4 to 76.5), respectively. Both HR HPV detection tests identified women with ASC-US who would benefit the most from colposcopy. Women with persistent HR HPV infection need further investigation despite a first normal colposcopy.
Multifunctional Optoelectronic Oscillator Based on Cascaded Modulators

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a multifunctional optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) mainly composed of a phase modulator in tandem with a dual-parallel Mach-Zehnder modulator. Simultaneous operations of low-phase-noise ultra-flat optical frequency comb (OFC) generation, prescaled electrical clock (EC) recovery, and error-free fourfold demultiplexing of an injected 4 × 25-Gb/s optical time-division multiplexing differential phase-shift keying signal are achieved with the proposed OEO. The generated nine-tone OFC has a flatness within 0.7 dB. The timing jitters of optical and EC signals are 117 and 112 fs, respectively.
[Danes and their use of the Internet for health-related purposes].

INTRODUCTION We wanted to examine how Danes use the Internet for health-related purposes. How much are the existing possibilities used? Who are the users? What are the consequences of this use? MATERIALS AND METHODS In October 2005--as part of a large EU supported study--a telephone survey was carried out among 1000 randomly selected Danes between the age of 15 and 80. RESULTS 60% of the Danish population use the Internet to seek health-related information. The Internet is especially used for health purposes by people with a high education, by women, by people with poor health and by people with children. Every fourth Dane experiences feelings of reassurance or relief after having read about illness on the Internet and this number is 3 times higher than the number of people that experience concern and anxiety. 3% state that they have changed their medication after having read information on the Internet and this is done without prior contact to their doctor. 8% of Danes have at some point consulted their doctor over the Internet, and if given the opportunity, 58% would read their own patient record online. CONCLUSIONS For many Danes it is common practice to use the Internet for health-related purposes. However, the position of the general practitioner as the primary source of health-related information is not threatened. Danes use the Internet as a supplement to their doctor and many--especially women--use the Internet information in their dialogue with their doctor. Danes increasingly seek solutions to enable them to get online contact with the different players in the health care sector.
Mechanical airway clearance using the frequencer electro-acoustical transducer in cystic fibrosis.

PURPOSE Clearance of mucus from airways is the cornerstone of therapy for lung disease in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This paper describes the operation of the Frequencer, a novel respiratory physiotherapy device comprised of an electro-acoustical transducer. We hypothesized that the Frequencer would be a safe and effective therapy to help clear secretions from the airways of subjects with CF. METHODS To verify this hypothesis, 22 individuals with CF were recruited to this study comparing sputum production during conventional chest physiotherapy (CCPT) and Frequencer therapy using a crossover design. The sputum weight was the main outcome measure. RESULTS Sputum weight was found to be a reproducible measure of the efficacy of chest physiotherapy in individual patients. The Frequencer induced airway clearance in patients with CF that was equivalent to that of CCPT. Furthermore, treatment of a 4% mucin preparation ex vivo with the Frequencer significantly reduced the viscosity of the mucin solution as determined in a capillary rheometer. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate the Frequencer is safe and as effective as CCPT in inducing airway clearance in patients with CF.
The microRNA-15 family inhibits the TGFβ-pathway in the heart.

AIMS The overloaded heart remodels by cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis, which contributes to the development of heart failure. Signalling via the TGFβ-pathway is crucial for this remodelling. Here we tested the hypothesis that microRNAs in the overloaded heart regulate this remodelling process via inhibition of the TGFβ-pathway. METHODS AND RESULTS We show that the miRNA-15 family, which we found to be up-regulated in the overloaded heart in multiple species, inhibits the TGFβ-pathway by targeting of TGFBR1 and several other genes within this pathway directly or indirectly, including p38, SMAD3, SMAD7, and endoglin. Inhibition of miR-15b by subcutaneous injections of LNA-based antimiRs in C57BL/6 mice subjected to transverse aorta constriction aggravated fibrosis and to a lesser extent also hypertrophy. CONCLUSION We identified the miR-15 family as a novel regulator of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis acting by inhibition of the TGFβ-pathway.
Overview of interference mitigation techniques between WiMAX networks and ground based radar

Newly licensed S-Band WiMAX networks are likely to experience a high degree of RF coupling with nearby radar systems that operate in adjacent frequencies bands. This interference can lead to significantly degraded WiMAX performance if it is not mitigated to an acceptable level. In this paper we describe the interference mechanisms that exist between WiMAX networks at 3.3 to 3.8 GHz and nearby ground-based radars that occupy adjacent frequency bands. Our analysis includes a qualitative evaluation of a wide range of interference mitigation techniques with practical implementation issues for both systems.
Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels Are Specifically Associated with Memory Performance among Alzheimer’s Disease Cases

Aims: Our purpose was to study the link between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and neuropsychological functioning through the Texas Alzheimer’s Research Consortium cohort. Methods: A total of 399 participants [probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD) n = 198, controls n = 201] were available for analysis. The BDNF levels were assayed via multiplex immunoassay. Regression analyses were utilized to examine the relation between BDNF levels and neuropsychological functioning. Results: There were no significant mean differences in BDNF levels between cases and controls. In the AD group, the BDNF levels were significantly negatively associated with the scores on immediate [B = –0.07 (0.02), t = –3.55, p = 0.001] and delayed [B = –0.05 (0.02), t = –2.79, p = 0.01] verbal memory and immediate [B = –0.12 (0.05), t = –2.70, p = 0.01] visual memory. No other neuropsychological variables were significantly related to the BDNF levels. The BDNF levels were not significantly related to the neuropsychological test scores in the control group. Conclusions: Increased serum BDNF levels were associated with poorer visual and verbal memory, but only among AD cases. The current findings point toward an upregulation of serum BDNF as one possible mechanism linked to memory disturbances in AD though it does not appear to be linked to disease severity.
Understanding Categorisation : An Experientialist Perspective

A considerable amount of research has been undertaken to establish how end users interpret, understand and verify data models often with the motivation of improving understanding, accuracy and completeness. However, there is relatively little research examining how and why humans make categorisation decisions when developing information systems. The research question addressed in this paper is: what is it about the human mind that allows it to categorise concepts in a particular way for conceptual data modelling? From a cognitive psychology perspective Lakoff's (1987) image schema structures provide answers to such questions. I argue that acknowledging such structures is the first step in defining an experientialist strategy for data modelling. In addition a case example is used to illustrate the problems with utilising the objectivist approach to categorisation. 1. INTRODUCTION Categorisation is the main way that we come to understand experience. Conceptual data modelling as a categorisation activity is essentially a matter of both human experience (perception, motor activity and culture) and imagination (metaphor, metonymy, and mental imagery). One question of interest is how do we do this? More specifically the research question addressed in this paper is what is it about the human mind that allows it to categorise concepts in a particular way for conceptual data modelling? I argue that concepts are not internal representations of external reality, because there is no corresponding reality or categories " out there " to be mirrored. This is in contrast to the objectivist paradigm which claims that concepts provide internal representations of external reality. In sections two and three of this paper I will briefly describe why the classical approach to categorisation is inappropriate for conceptual data modelling. Section three presents the experientialist strategy, an alternate approach for establishing a theoretical foundation for conceptual data modelling. An initial application of this approach is presented in section four. Finally suggestions for future research to empirically test the efficacy of the strategy for conceptual data modelling are discussed. Ontology can be described as 'what there is', and relies on the use of specific terms to construct a description of reality. The use of ontology as a theoretical basis for data modelling is inappropriate because we are not modelling reality when developing information systems, but the way information about reality is processed, by people (Kent, 1978). Despite this, research has been undertaken to determine a theoretical foundation for data modelling based on philosophical ontologies [Wand …