Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ochratoxin A in blood from slaughter pigs in Sweden: use in evaluation of toxin content of consumed feed

Samples of pig blood, intended for ochratoxin A analysis, were collected from pigs of 279 randomly selected herds. The samples were obtained at nine different slaughterhouses from different areas of Sweden. Pigs from 47 herds (16.8% of the total) exhibited ochratoxin A in amounts of greater than or equal to 2 ng of ochratoxin A per ml of blood. One sample each from a single pig per herd identified herds contaminated with ochratoxin A in amounts exceeding three times the detection limit of the method (3 x 2 ng of ochratoxin A per ml of blood = 6 ng of ochratoxin A per ml of blood). There was a good agreement between ochratoxin A concentrations in the blood from different pigs within the same herd (correlation coefficient = 0.80). The ochratoxin A concentration in pig blood was used as an estimate of the ochratoxin A content of the consumed feed. This method showed that feed from grain produced on-farm contained higher concentrations of ochratoxin A than commercial feed preparations. No geographical variation of ochratoxin A occurrence within Sweden was detected.
0-1 Programming Model-Based Method for Planning Code Review Using Bug Fix History

Code review is a powerful activity for software quality improvement, and is ideal to review all source files being developed. However, such an exhaustive review would be difficult because the available time and effort are in reality limited. Thus, practitioners prioritize the source files in terms of bug-proneness by using related data such as bug fix history, and review them in decreasing order of priority-such strategy in this paper is called the "conventional method. " While the conventional method is straightforward, it focuses only on the bug-proneness and cannot consider the review cost properly, so the method does not produce a cost-effective review plan. To take into account both the bug-proneness and the review cost, this paper proposes a 0-1 programming model-based method for planning code review. The proposed method formulates a review plan as a 0-1 programming problem, and the solution is the recommendation list of source files to be reviewed. Moreover, the proposed method considers the type of file-if the file is newly-developed or not. Such difference in file type may affect on how to evaluate the bug-proneness and the review strategy: newly-developed files are notable but not appeared in the bug fix history. This paper conducts a case study using popular open source software, shows that the proposed method is up to 42% more effective than the conventional method in recommending buggy files as the review targets.
Effects of pirfenidone on proliferation, migration, and collagen contraction of human Tenon's fibroblasts in vitro.

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of pirfenidone, a novel antifibrotic agent, on proliferation, migration, and collagen contraction of human Tenon's fibroblasts (HTFs). METHODS After treatment of HTFs with pirfenidone, cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Cell migration was investigated by scratch assay. Contractility was evaluated in fibroblast-populated collagen gels. Cell viability was determined by trypan blue exclusion assay. The expression of TGF-beta1, -beta2, and -beta3 was estimated with RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence analyses. RESULTS Pirfenidone induced significant dose-dependent inhibition of HTF proliferation and migration and collagen contraction. After treatment with different concentrations of pirfenidone (0.15, 0.3, and 1 mg/mL) for 24 and 72 hours, cell viability was not different in the treatment and control groups. After 24 hours of treatment with pirfenidone, HTFs showed dose-dependent decreases in mRNA and protein levels of TGF-beta1, -beta2, and -beta3. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that pirfenidone inhibits proliferation, migration, and collagen contraction of HTFs at nontoxic concentrations. A decrease in autocrine TGF-beta signaling may have a role in the effects of pirfenidone.
Qualitative Navigation by Sensor Centric Landmark Tracking

Sensor based navigation is a fundamental competence for any mobile robot. The essential problem with conventional statistical approaches to the navigation problem is the requirement for maintaining an exact global description of environment geometry. In practise the behaviour of real physical sensors and the observations they make of the environment make such central geometric representation of the environment extremely fragile. To overcome such problems, this paper proposes the use of qualitative models of physical sensor observations . These aim to describe the world in terms of local sensor-centric representations of the observed environment. Each representation exploits those landmarks most natural to the physical sensor involved. No global description of the environment is maintained and no explicit geometric representation of the world is assumed . This leads naturally to anavigation process defined in terms of relationships between different sensor observables; an intrinsically more robust mechanism than found in conventional navigation algorithms . The representation and navigation methodology proposed is illustrated using sonar data from a real vehicle.
Forecasting phenology under global warming

As a consequence of warming temperatures around the world, spring and autumn phenologies have been shifting, with corresponding changes in the length of the growing season. Our understanding of the spatial and interspecific variation of these changes, however, is limited. Not all species are responding similarly, and there is significant spatial variation in responses even within species. This spatial and interspecific variation complicates efforts to predict phenological responses to ongoing climate change, but must be incorporated in order to build reliable forecasts. Here, we use a long-term dataset (1953–2005) of plant phenological events in spring (flowering and leaf out) and autumn (leaf colouring and leaf fall) throughout Japan and South Korea to build forecasts that account for these sources of variability. Specifically, we used hierarchical models to incorporate the spatial variability in phenological responses to temperature to then forecast species' overall and site-specific responses to global warming. We found that for most species, spring phenology is advancing and autumn phenology is getting later, with the timing of events changing more quickly in autumn compared with the spring. Temporal trends and phenological responses to temperature in East Asia contrasted with results from comparable studies in Europe, where spring events are changing more rapidly than are autumn events. Our results emphasize the need to study multiple species at many sites to understand and forecast regional changes in phenology.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection Protects Human Endocervical Epithelial Cells from Apoptosis via Expression of Host Antiapoptotic Proteins

ABSTRACT Several microbial pathogens can modulate the host apoptotic response to infection, which may contribute to immune evasion. Various studies have reported that infection with the sexually transmitted disease pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae can either inhibit or induce apoptosis. N. gonorrhoeae infection initiates at the mucosal epithelium, and in women, cells from the ectocervix and endocervix are among the first host cells encountered by this pathogen. In this study, we defined the antiapoptotic effect of N. gonorrhoeae infection in human endocervical epithelial cells (End/E6E7 cells). We first established that N. gonorrhoeae strain FA1090B failed to induce cell death in End/E6E7 cells. Subsequently, we demonstrated that stimulation with N. gonorrhoeae protected these cells from staurosporine (STS)-induced apoptosis. Importantly, only End/E6E7 cells incubated with live bacteria and in direct association with N. gonorrhoeae were protected from STS-induced apoptosis, while heat-killed and antibiotic-killed bacteria failed to induce protection. Stimulation of End/E6E7 cells with live N. gonorrhoeae induced NF-κB activation and resulted in increased gene expression of the NF-κB-regulated antiapoptotic genes bfl-1, cIAP-2, and c-FLIP. Furthermore, cIAP-2 protein levels also increased in End/E6E7 cells incubated with gonococci. Collectively, our results indicate that the antiapoptotic effect of N. gonorrhoeae in human endocervical epithelial cells results from live infection via expression of host antiapoptotic proteins. Securing an intracellular niche through the inhibition of apoptosis may be an important mechanism utilized by N. gonorrhoeae for microbial survival and immune evasion in cervical epithelial cells.
A New Hybrid Algorithm Using Thermodynamic and Backward Ray-Tracing Approaches for Modeling Luminescent Solar Concentrators

A Luminescent Solar Concentrator (LSC) is a transparent plate containing luminescent material with photovoltaic (PV) cells attached to its edges. Sunlight entering the plate is absorbed by the luminescent material, which in turn emits light. The emitted light propagates through the plate and arrives at the PV cells through total internal reflection. The ratio of the area of the relatively cheap polymer plate to that of the expensive PV cells is increased, and the cost per unit of solar electricity can be reduced by 75%. To improve the emission performance of LSCs, simulation modeling of LSCs becomes essential. Ray-tracing modeling is a popular approach for simulating LSCs due to its great ability of modeling various LSC structures under direct and diffuse sunlight. However, this approach requires substantial amount of measurement input data. Also, the simulation time is enormous because it is a forward-ray tracing method that traces all the rays propagating from the light source to the concentrator. On the other hand, the thermodynamic approach requires substantially less input parameters and simulation time, but it can only be used to model simple LSC designs with direct sunlight. Therefore, a new hybrid model was developed to perform various simulation studies effectively without facing the issues arisen from the existing ray-tracing and thermodynamic models. The simulation results show that at least 60% of the total output irradiance of a LSC is contributed by the light trapped and channeled by the LSC. The novelty of this hybrid model is the concept of integrating the thermodynamic model with a well-developed Radiance ray-tracing model, hence making this model as a fast, powerful and cost-effective tool for the design of LSCs.
Death, lives, and video streams

Abstract This paper discusses two topics. First, it presents an analysis of the canonical funerary corpse prepared by morticians and discusses how this corpse serves two functions. It tames death by reappropriating the corpse for culture, and it serves as a focus for two kinds of memories: the individual/psychological and the essential/Platonic. However, the mortuary corpse has limits; it can only help us to remember and is static, artificial, and short-lived. American culture has supplemented this corpse with new forms of representing death, one of which is the video representations of the dead offered by Forever Enterprises. There one can “live” on forever in a professionally produced filmed biography that is always available as streaming online video. This new option offers a supplement to the corpse because the filmed individual has the possibility for a post-mortem career as a video entity that overcomes the static character, artificiality, and short life of the funerary corpse. At the same time, the new video representations of the dead, which are long lasting, mobile, and “real,” and which will almost certainly replace the embalmed corpse, risk reducing the afterlife, and the soul's transcendence, to a version of life on earth.
The Need for School-Based Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Some Reflections after 32 Years Teaching Sexuality to College Students

Considerable progress has been made in the last three decades in contraceptive technology and the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. However, education of the nation's youth about sexual health issues has been less successful. Most parents remain silent on the topic of sexuality while states argue over the curriculum. As a result, a sizeable proportion of young people remain ignorant about even the most basic of sexual health issues. When sexuality courses are offered, voluntary enrollment is often high. To meet this demand and end the generation-to-generation ignorance about sexuality, we must devote the resources necessary for educating today's youth.
Nonlinear supersymmetric σ model for scalar classical waves

We derive a non–linear supersymmetric σ–model for the transport of light (classical waves) through a disordered medium. We compare this model with the well–established non–linear σ–model for the transport of electrons (Schrödinger waves) and display similarities of and differences between both cases. We show that for weak disorder, both models are equivalent (have the same effective Lagrangean). This effective Lagrangean correctly reproduces the (different) Ward identities for Schrödinger waves and for classical waves.
Medial Superior Olivary Neurons Receive Surprisingly Few Excitatory and Inhibitory Inputs with Balanced Strength and Short-Term Dynamics

Neurons in the medial superior olive (MSO) process microsecond interaural time differences, the major cue for localizing low-frequency sounds, by comparing the relative arrival time of binaural, glutamatergic excitatory inputs. This coincidence detection mechanism is additionally shaped by highly specialized glycinergic inhibition. Traditionally, it is assumed that the binaural inputs are conveyed by many independent fibers, but such an anatomical arrangement may decrease temporal precision. Short-term depression on the other hand might enhance temporal fidelity during ongoing activity. For the first time we show that binaural coincidence detection in MSO neurons may require surprisingly few but strong inputs, challenging long-held assumptions about mammalian coincidence detection. This study exclusively uses adult gerbils for in vitro electrophysiology, single-cell electroporation and immunohistochemistry to characterize the size and short-term plasticity of inputs to the MSO. We find that the excitatory and inhibitory inputs to the MSO are well balanced both in strength and short-term dynamics, redefining this fastest of all mammalian coincidence detector circuits.
Country of Origin as a Stereotype: Effects of Consumer Expertise and Attribute Strength on Product Evaluations

This research identifies consumer expertise and the type of attribute information as moderating the effects of country of origin on product evaluations. When attribute information was unambiguous, experts based their evaluations on attribute strength, whereas novices relied on country of origin. When attribute information was ambiguous, both experts and novices used country of origin in evaluations. Also, experts and novices used county of origin differently in evaluations. Experts used country of origin to selectively process and recall attribute information, whereas novices used it to differentially interpret subsequent attribute information. The findings are discussed within the framework of stereotyping. Copyright 1994 by the University of Chicago.
Power Saving Mechanism for Contention-Based M2M Transmission

Massive number of devices must operate for a long time with very limited chance to contact energy sources in current Machine-to-Machine (M2M) network, so power saving mechanism is very essential. In this paper, we analyze energy efficiency of Contention Tree Algorithm(CTA), which is one popular contention based data transmission method currently, and propose one enhanced CTA: Power Saving CTA(PS_CTA). In PS_CTA, each device can know its data transmission slots by one new feedback information from base station and be in the sleep until it needs to transmit data. PS_CTA also uses short payload contention strategy to decrease power consumption further. Simulation results show that PS_CTA can improve energy efficiency greatly.
The PlA1/A2 polymorphism of glycoprotein IIIa in relation to efficacy of antiplatelet drugs: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

The PlA1/A2 polymorphism of glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) has been associated with both antiplatelet drug resistance and increased cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to conduct the first meta‐analysis investigating the association between carriage of the PlA2 allele and resistance to currently licensed antiplatelet drugs.
Applying the Technology of Moving Target Detection in Missile Training Equipment

The process of missile launch training was confined to the virtual scene in the past. So, cooperating with an artillery college, the group makes the moving target detection technology to be applied in missile training equipment, so as to make the training apply to the field operations. This paper presents the frame difference mapping algorithm, which is used to detect the moving target in the background of moving video frame. According to the target region which is given out by the system in the graphical interface, the students do the launching missile training. The moving target detection algorithm which is provided with the low complexity and the high accuracy, i.e. proposed by the paper, is based on Gauss mixture model and frame difference mapping. The mechanism of layered-graphics and the message agent which makes the modules in the system be independent of each other are used in the system designing. So, the module coupling degree in terms of this mechanism is lower than before. This mechanism bring.
Overland movement in African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis): empirical dispersal data from within their native range

Dispersal forms are an important component of the ecology of many animals, and reach particular importance for predicting ranges of invasive species. African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) move overland between water bodies, but all empirical studies are from invasive populations with none from their native southern Africa. Here we report on incidents of overland movement found through a capture-recapture study carried out over a three year period in Overstrand, South Africa. The maximum distance moved was 2.4 km with most of the 91 animals, representing 5% of the population, moving ∼150 m. We found no differences in distances moved by males and females, despite the former being smaller. Fewer males moved overland, but this was no different from the sex bias found in the population. In laboratory performance trials, we found that males outperformed females, in both distance moved and time to exhaustion, when corrected for size. Overland movement occurred throughout the year, but reached peaks in spring and early summer when temporary water bodies were drying. Despite permanent impoundments being located within the study area, we found no evidence for migrations of animals between temporary and permanent water bodies. Our study provides the first dispersal kernel for X. laevis and suggests that it is similar to many non-pipid anurans with respect to dispersal.
Cyclic AMP receptor protein functions as a repressor of the osmotically inducible promoter proP P1 in Escherichia coli

Transcription of the proP gene, encoding a transporter of the osmoprotectants proline and glycine betaine, is controlled from two promoters, P1 and P2, that respond primarily to osmotic and stationary-phase signals, respectively. The P1 promoter is normally expressed at a very low level under low or normal medium osmolarity. We demonstrate that the binding of the cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (CRP) to a site centered at -34.5 within the promoter is responsible for the low promoter activity under these conditions. A brief period of reduced CRP binding in early log phase corresponds to a transient burst of P1 transcription upon resumption of growth in Luria-Bertani broth. A CRP binding-site mutation or the absence of a functional crp gene leads to high constitutive expression of P1. We show that the binding of CRP-cAMP inhibits transcription by purified RNA polymerase in vitro at P1, but this repression is relieved at moderately high potassium glutamate concentrations. Likewise, open-complex formation at P1 in vivo is inhibited by the presence of CRP under low-osmolarity conditions. Because P1 expression can be further induced by osmotic upshifts in a delta crp strain or in the presence of the CRP binding-site mutation, additional controls exist to osmotically regulate P1 expression.
Brain potentials reveal unconscious translation during foreign-language comprehension

Whether the native language of bilingual individuals is active during second-language comprehension is the subject of lively debate. Studies of bilingualism have often used a mix of first- and second-language words, thereby creating an artificial “dual-language” context. Here, using event-related brain potentials, we demonstrate implicit access to the first language when bilinguals read words exclusively in their second language. Chinese–English bilinguals were required to decide whether English words presented in pairs were related in meaning or not; they were unaware of the fact that half of the words concealed a character repetition when translated into Chinese. Whereas the hidden factor failed to affect behavioral performance, it significantly modulated brain potentials in the expected direction, establishing that English words were automatically and unconsciously translated into Chinese. Critically, the same modulation was found in Chinese monolinguals reading the same words in Chinese, i.e., when Chinese character repetition was evident. Finally, we replicated this pattern of results in the auditory modality by using a listening comprehension task. These findings demonstrate that native-language activation is an unconscious correlate of second-language comprehension.
Fusing image representations for classification using support vector machines

In order to improve classification accuracy different image representations are usually combined. This can be done by using two different fusing schemes. In feature level fusion schemes, image representations are combined before the classification process. In classifier fusion, the decisions taken separately based on individual representations are fused to make a decision. In this paper the main methods derived for both strategies are evaluated. Our experimental results show that classifier fusion performs better. Specifically Bayes belief integration is the best performing strategy for image classification task.
Artificial agents perceiving and processing time

Time perception is a fundamental component of intelligence that structures the way humans act in various contexts. As action evolves over time, timing is necessary to appreciate environmental contingencies, estimate relations between events and predict the effects of our actions at future moments. Despite the fundamental role of time in human cognition it remains largely unexplored in the field of artificial cognitive systems. The present work makes concrete steps towards making artificial systems aware that the notion of time as a unique entity that can be processed on its own right. To this end, we evolve artificial neural networks to perceive the flow of time and to be able to accomplish three different duration processing tasks. Subsequently we study the internal dynamics of neural networks to obtain insight on the representation and processing mechanisms of time. The self-organized neural network solutions exhibit important brain-like properties and suggests directions for extending existing theories in timing neuro-psychology.