Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Consumer Risk Perception on Pre-purchase Information in Online Auctions: Brand, Word-of-Mouth, and Customized Information

This study examines how consumer information processing affects consumers' perception of risk prior to purchase. In particular, this research focuses on pre-purchase information such as brand, word-of-mouth, and customized information. The results show that customized information and word-of-mouth communication influence consumers more than do other types of information from online auctions. Consumers rely on these two factors because they are based on consumer experience and relevant to product purchase. Nevertheless, brand also has a significant effect upon consumer perceived risk. Pre-purchase information processing is directly related to reducing consumers' risk perception. In particular, information processing associated with product performance plays a crucial role in reducing consumers' perceived risk in online transactions. The results offer insights to e-marketers and e-marketing researchers about the role of pre-purchase information in management and e-commerce.
RAT RENOMEDULLARY INTERSTITIAL CELLS POSSESS BRADYKININ B2 RECEPTORS IN VIVO AND IN VITRO

1. Renomedullary interstitial cells (RMIC), abundant throughout the medulla of the kidney, have been demonstrated to have binding sites for many vasoactive peptides, including atrial natriuretic peptide, endothelin, angiotensin II and bradykinin (BK). These observations would support the hypothesis that interactions between RMIC and vasoactive peptides are important in the regulation of renal function.
An Overview of Freight Intelligent Transportation Systems

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of how the intelligent transportation system (ITS) supports freight transportation operations. A study of the literature on transportation information and communication technology (ICT) and intelligent (or smart) transportation systems has been conducted. Documents of more than 60 companies producing or using intelligent transportation technologies and systems have been reviewed to provide empirical data regarding freight ITSs. Furthermore, direct observations of some of the systems as well as semi-structured and non-structured interviews with managers of some of the companies have been conducted as secondary sources of empirical data. As a result of studying the companies, a list of nine freight ITSs is generated; it represents the main freight ITSs. Also, different transportation information types that freight ITS work based on their availability are recognised. The results show that vehicle location systems and condition monitoring systems support and use more transportation information types compared to the other freight ITSs.
Cross‐talk to the genes for Bacillus anthracis capsule synthesis by atxA, the gene encoding the frans‐activator of anthrax toxin synthesis

The two major virulence factors of Bacillus anthracis are the tripartite toxin and the polyglutamate capsule, which are encoded by genes on the large plasmids, pX01 and pX02, respectively. The genes atxA, located on pX01, and acpA, located on pX02, encode positive frans‐acting proteins that are involved in bicarbonate‐mediated regulation of toxin and capsule production, respectively. A derivative strain cured of pX01 produced less capsular substance than the parent strain harbouring both pX01 and pX02, and electroporation of the strain cured of pX01 with a plasmid containing the cloned atxA gene resulted in an increased level of capsule production. An acpA‐null mutant was complemented by not only acpA but also the atxA gene. The cap region, which is essential for encapsulation, contains three genes capB, capC, and cap A, arranged in that order. The atxA gene stimulated capsule synthesis from the cloned cap region. Transcriptional analysis of cap by RNA slot‐blot hybridization and primer‐extension analysis revealed that atxA activated expression of cap in trans at the transcriptional level. These results indicate that cross‐talk occurs, in which the pX01‐located gene, atxA, activates transcription of the cap region genes located on pX02. We identified two major apparent transcriptional start sites, designated P1 and P2, located at positions 731 bp and 625 bp, respectively, upstream of the translation‐initiation codon of capB. Transcription initiated from P1 and P2 was activated by both atxA and acpA, and activation appeared to be stimulated by bicarbonate. Deletion analysis of the upstream region of the cap
In Vitro Development of Bovine Nuclear Transfer Embryos from Transgenic Clonal Lines of Adult and Fetal Fibroblast Cells of the Same Genotype1

Abstract This study examined bovine cloning strategies that may be used for gene targeting in animals of known phenotypic traits. Fibroblast cells derived from an adult and a fetus of the same genotype were transfected with a plasmid (pEGFP-N1) containing the enhanced green fluorescence protein and neomycin-resistant genes. After transfecting 2 × 105 cells, 49 adult and 35 fetal cell colonies were obtained. Green fluorescence expression was observed in 35 out of 49 (71.4%) adult clones and in 30 out of 35 (85.7%) fetal clones. Developmental rates to the blastocyst stage following nuclear transfer (NT) did not differ among nontransfected cell lines (adult, 20.0%; NT fetal, 18.3%), whereas developmental rates were significantly lower for adult and fetal cell lines expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP; 11.3% and 6.4%, respectively, P < 0.05). However, there was no decrease in NT developmental rates (19.8%) when donor nuclei from EGFP-transfected cell lines not expressing EGFP but retaining neomycin-resistant gene expression were used as donor nuclei. NT embryos from adult and fetal cell lines had similar morphology, cell number, and ploidy. The results indicated that adult and NT fetal cells (identical genotype) can complete clonal propagation, including transfection and selection, and can be used to produce transgenic NT embryos; however, a possible deleterious effect of EGFP on embryo development should be considered in future gene targeting studies.
Analytical pathology. II. Histopathologic demonstration of glomerular-localizing antibodies in experimental glomerulonephritis.

(b) (c) the increased skin re-activity to filtrates of cultures of hemolytic shown by patients with glomerulonephritis; (d) an elevated titer of antibodies, including antistreptolysin, in the blood of patients with glomerulonephritis following scarlatina or pharyngitis; (e) the more frequent subacute bacterial endocarditis during the bacteria-free rather than the bacteremic stage of the disease; evidence animal experiments
MDM2 Is Required for Suppression of Apoptosis by Activated Akt1 in Salivary Acinar Cells

ABSTRACT Chronic damage to the salivary glands is a common side effect following head and neck irradiation. It is hypothesized that irreversible damage to the salivary glands occurs immediately after radiation; however, previous studies with rat models have not shown a causal role for apoptosis in radiation-induced injury. We report that etoposide and gamma irradiation induce apoptosis of salivary acinar cells from FVB control mice in vitro and in vivo; however, apoptosis is reduced in transgenic mice expressing a constitutively activated mutant of Akt1 (myr-Akt1). Expression of myr-Akt1 in the salivary glands results in a significant reduction in phosphorylation of p53 at serine18, total p53 protein accumulation, and p21WAF1 or Bax mRNA following etoposide or gamma irradiation of primary salivary acinar cells. The reduced level of p53 protein in myr-Akt1 salivary glands corresponds with an increase in MDM2 phosphorylation in vivo, suggesting that the Akt/MDM2/p53 pathway is responsible for suppression of apoptosis. Dominant-negative Akt blocked phosphorylation of MDM2 in salivary acinar cells from myr-Akt1 transgenic mice. Reduction of MDM2 levels in myr-Akt1 primary salivary acinar cells with small interfering RNA increases the levels of p53 protein and renders these cells susceptible to etoposide-induced apoptosis in spite of the presence of activated Akt1. These results indicate that MDM2 is a critical substrate of activated Akt1 in the suppression of p53-dependent apoptosis in vivo.
YOUNG SWIMMERS ’ KINEMATIC AND HYDRODYNAMIC DETRAINING BETWEEN A TWO SEASONS ’ BREAK

1 Mário J. Costa, 2 Marc F. Moreira, 2 Jorge E. Morais, 1,3 Daniel A. Marinho, 1,2 António J. Silva and 1,4 Tiago M. Barbosa 1 Research Centre in Sports, Health and Human Development, Portugal 2 Department of Sport Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal 3 Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Portugal 4 National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Realization of a Knill-Laflamme-Milburn controlled-NOT photonic quantum circuit combining effective optical nonlinearities

Quantum information science addresses how uniquely quantum mechanical phenomena such as superposition and entanglement can enhance communication, information processing, and precision measurement. Photons are appealing for their low-noise, light-speed transmission and ease of manipulation using conventional optical components. However, the lack of highly efficient optical Kerr nonlinearities at the single photon level was a major obstacle. In a breakthrough, Knill, Laflamme, and Milburn (KLM) showed that such an efficient nonlinearity can be achieved using only linear optical elements, auxiliary photons, and measurement [Knill E, Laflamme R, Milburn GJ (2001) Nature 409:46–52]. KLM proposed a heralded controlled-NOT (CNOT) gate for scalable quantum computation using a photonic quantum circuit to combine two such nonlinear elements. Here we experimentally demonstrate a KLM CNOT gate. We developed a stable architecture to realize the required four-photon network of nested multiple interferometers based on a displaced-Sagnac interferometer and several partially polarizing beamsplitters. This result confirms the first step in the original KLM “recipe” for all-optical quantum computation, and should be useful for on-demand entanglement generation and purification. Optical quantum circuits combining giant optical nonlinearities may find wide applications in quantum information processing, communication, and sensing.
A Rapid Filtration Assay for the Glycine Binding Site on the NMDA Receptor in Rat Cortical Membranes using [3H]Dichlorokynurenic Acid

Abstract— A nitration binding assay using [3H]dichlorokynurenic acid to label the glycine binding site on the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid receptor has been evaluated on rat cortical membranes. This ligand binds to a single population of binding sites following mass action kinetics with a Kd of 29 Nm and a capacity of 5·73 pmol (mg protein)−1. The pharmacological specificity of the binding site is identical to that previously reported for this binding site using [3H]glycine as a radioligand. Agonists showed lower affinity and antagonists higher affinity when [3H]dichlorokynurenic acid was used compared with [3H]glycine. The higher affinity of [3H]dichlorokynurenic acid compared with [3H]glycine make it the more suitable compound with which to label the glycine site.
T Helper 1 (Th1), Th2, and Th17 Responses to Leishmania major Lipophosphoglycan 3

ABSTRACT Leishmania major is the main causal agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) that remains a serious public health concern in many tropical and subtropical countries. A long-lasting protective vaccine against leishmaniasis remains as a medical unmet need. Lipophosphoglycan 3 (LPG3) is one of the class II LPG genes from HSP90 family involved in the host immune responses. The aim of the present study is to investigate the capability of recombinant LPG3 (rLPG3) to induce Th1, Th2, Th17 responses. The results showed that rLPG3 in moderate and high concentrations significantly induced expression of Th1 lineage-specific transcription factor (T-bet) and cytokine (IFN-γ)(P < 0.05). Moreover, the Th1-stimulating effect of rLPG3 was confirmed by significant induction of IFN-γ secretion from treated T cells (P < 0.01). However, no significant effect of rLPG3 on Th2 and Th17 lineage cells was observed even in high concentration. Our findings demonstrate that rLPG3 induces Th1, but not Th2 and Th17, lineage responses. Further studies are needed to investigate adjuvant properties of rLPG3 for leishmania therapy.
On quaternion-based attitude control and the unwinding phenomenon

The unit quaternion is a pervasive representation of rigid-body attitude used for the design and analysis of feedback control laws. Often, quaternion-based feedbacks require an additional mechanism that lifts a continuous attitude path to the unit quaternion space. When this mechanism is memoryless, it has a limited domain where it remains injective and leads to discontinuities when used globally. To remedy this limitation, we propose a hybrid-dynamic algorithm for lifting a continuous attitude path to the unit quaternion space. We show that this hybrid-dynamic mechanism allows us to directly translate quaternion-based controllers and their asymptotic stability properties (obtained in the unit-quaternion space) to the actual rigid-body-attitude space. We also show that when quaternion-based controllers are not designed to account for the double covering of the rigid-body-attitude space by a unit-quaternion parameterization, they can give rise to the unwinding phenomenon, which we characterize in terms of the projection of asymptotically stable sets.
High-resolution microwave polarimetric imaging of small trees

A planar near-field monostatic imaging system is employed at a frequency of 10 GHz to examine the polarimetric scattering characteristics of small deciduous trees. Two-dimensional (2D) images are produced in a format familiar to the human visual system, and the technique is intended to be of value in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image interpretation. The theory utilized for the plane-to-plane imaging algorithm is presented, and the experimental configuration used is described. The polarimetric response of the system is evaluated by using a target composed of thin copper wires orientated at 0, 45, and 90/spl deg/ to the vertical axis. The series of images obtained for VV-, VH-, and HH-combinations of the transmit-receive antennas indicate that the polarization purity of this prototype system is better than -35 dB. Results are presented for three different species of tree, ash (Fraxinas excelsior L.), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.), and willow (Salix species), with heights in the range 1-1.6 m. The high spatial resolution of 2 cm provided by the imaging system reveals detailed information on the structure of each tree. The different RCS responses of living and dead branches are clearly demonstrated, and the presence of multiple reflections between adjacent branches is seen. Differences between the VV-, VH-, and HH-images correlate well with the orientation of the various components of each tree.
Endothelin 1-Induced Pressor Response and Vasopressin Release in Rats with Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by activation of both neurohumoral and sympathetic nervous systems. Specifically, HF is associated with increases in vasopressin (VP) and endothelin (ET) and in arterial baroreflex dysfunction. Hypothesis was that central ET-1 potentiates VP secretion in HF due to impaired pressor response and diminished arterial baroreflex inhibition. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied 42 to 54 days after sham or coronary ligation (HF) and 7 days after sinoaortic denervation (SAD). Conscious rats received intracerebroventricular artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), 10 pmol of ET-1, 40 nmol BQ123, or both. Basal mean arterial pressure (MAP) did not differ, but heart rate and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were significantly higher in HF and HF/SAD. Baseline VP was higher in both HF and HF/SAD: 5.9 ± 0.4 pg/ml and 5.6 ± 0.7 pg/ml versus sham 2.8 ± 0.2 and sham-SAD 1.6 ± 0.2 (p < 0.001). ET-1 increased MAP in sham rats by 16.0 ± 1.4 mm Hg, but only by 7.4 ± 2.2 mm Hg in HF (p < 0.05 versus sham) and 5.8 ± 2.4 mm Hg in HF/SAD (p < 0.01 versus sham SAD). Tachycardic response was attenuated in HF/SAD compared with HF alone. After ET-1, VP increased by 3.3 ± 2.7 pg/ml in sham and 13.3 ± 2.6 pg/ml in HF (p < 0.05), but only by 2.3 ± 0.7 pg/ml in HF/SAD (p < 0.01 versus HF). BQ123 blocked all responses to exogenous ET-1 but had no effect on baseline values. Thus, ET-evoked a lower pressor response in HF due to an impaired ability to increase heart rate and cardiac output. ET-1-induced VP release in HF was higher than in controls as a result of lower pressor response or impaired arterial baroreflex. In contrast to rats with normal left ventricular function, sinoaortic denervation in HF failed to potentiate either pressor response or VP secretion. These findings suggest that acute, though modest, increases in afterload may increase left atrial pressure more in HF/SAD such that cardiopulmonary reflexes may be activated or natriuretic peptides may be released that further restrain both pressor and VP responses.
MOLECULAR CLONING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF VITELLINE PRECURSOR PROTEIN B1 FROM CLONORCHIS SINENSIS

In trematodes, vitelline precursor proteins are required for eggshell formation. A cDNA clone of Clonorchis sinensis (CsVpB1) was selected from an EST pool, encoding a polypeptide of 245 amino acids. The CsVpB1 polypeptide demonstrated homology with vitelline precursor proteins from trematodes with high sequential identities. In a phylogenic tree, CsVpB1 clustered with trematode VpB proteins. The CsVpB1 polypeptide was found to be rich in tyrosine residues, including putative pre-dihydroxyphenyl alanine (DOPA) residues, involved in cross-linking of the precursor proteins. Mouse immune sera were raised against a recombinant CsVpB1 protein. In adult C. sinensis, CsVpB1 protein was exclusively localized in vitelline follicles. Based on these results, the CsVpB1 cDNA is believed to encode a VpB of C. sinensis.
From Action to Abstraction

Previous research has shown that children benefit from gesturing during math instruction. We asked whether gesturing promotes learning because it is itself a physical action, or because it uses physical action to represent abstract ideas. To address this question, we taught third-grade children a strategy for solving mathematical-equivalence problems that was instantiated in one of three ways: (a) in a physical action children performed on objects, (b) in a concrete gesture miming that action, or (c) in an abstract gesture. All three types of hand movements helped children learn how to solve the problems on which they were trained. However, only gesture led to success on problems that required generalizing the knowledge gained. The results provide the first evidence that gesture promotes transfer of knowledge better than direct action on objects and suggest that the beneficial effects gesture has on learning may reside in the features that differentiate it from action.
Quantitative myocardial blush score (QuBE) allows the prediction of heart failure development in long-term follow-up in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: Proof of concept study

Background Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) might lead to left ventricular remodeling. Adequate myocardial perfusion is critical to prevent this adverse remodeling. Quantitative myocardial blush evaluator (QuBE) software, available on-line, is a simple analysis tool which enables the precise quantification of myocardial perfusion in the infarct area immediately after interventional treatment. The aim of this study was to assess whether the results of QuBE analysis might predict the development of heart failure (HF) in AMI patients in 3 year-long follow-up. Methods Ninety five patients with first AMI, single vessel coronary artery disease, Killip class I at presentation were enrolled in the study. Angiograms were reanalyzed using the on-line QuBE software. Data on heart failure development (ICD 10 codes I50) provided by the National Health Fund were considered as primary outcome. Results QuBE values ranged from 0.0 to 25.3 arbitrary units, mean value was 9.9 ± 5.2 arbitrary units. QuBE correlated positively with myocardial blush grade (MBG; Spearman R = 0.342 at p < 0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard modeling, adjusted for initial Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI flow, and TIMI thrombus grade indicated QuBE score (1 unit increase — HR 0.919, 95% CI 0.846–0.999, p = 0.049) and left ventricular ejection fraction at discharge (1% increase — HR 0.936, 95% CI 0.902–0.971, p = 0.000) as independent predictors of HF development. Conclusions The QuBE assessment of myocardial perfusion allows the prediction of HF development in the post-infarction period in this highly selective group of patients.
8.1 An 80nW retention 11.7pJ/cycle active subthreshold ARM Cortex-M0+ subsystem in 65nm CMOS for WSN applications

The Internet of Things is widely expected to comprise billions of connected devices, many of which will be wireless sensor nodes (WSN). One challenge this poses is energy efficiency, as it will prove cost-prohibitive to regularly replace billions of batteries. Node cost is another concern, which will demand ever-greater integration. Ease of SW development must also remain a priority to HW designers. Addressing all of the above, this paper presents an 11.7pJ/cycle subthreshold WSN processing sub-system implemented in low-leakage 65nm CMOS, scalable from 850nW active power at 250mV to 66MHz at 900mV, with a fully integrated 82% peak-efficiency voltage regulator for direct-battery operation, and supporting 80nW CPU and RAM state-retention power gating for SW-transparent leakage reduction.
An autonomous robotic platform for ground penetrating radar surveys

Detection of hidden surface crevasses on glaciers is a vital process involved in over-snow traverses for science and resupply missions in Polar regions. There are several areas warranting improvement in the current protocol for crevasse detection, which employs a human-operated ground penetrating radar (GPR) on a mid-weight tracked vehicle. In this fashion, a GPR scout team must plan an appropriate crevasse-free route by investigating paths across the glacier. This paper presents methods supporting a completely autonomous robotic system employing GPR probing of the glacier surface. We tested and evaluated three machine learning algorithms on post-processed Antarctic GPR data, collected by our robot and a Pisten Bully in 2009 and 2010 at McMurdo Station. We achieved 82% classification rate for a linear SVM, compared to 82% using logistic regression and 80% using a Bayes network for contrast. We also discuss independent versus sequential classification of GPR scans, and suggest improvements to or combinations of the most successful training models. Our experiment demonstrates the promise and reliability of real-time object detection with GPR.