Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructural study of spermiogenesis in the Jamaican Gray Anole, Anolis lineatopus (Reptilia: Polychrotidae)

Rheubert, J.L. , Wilson, B.S., Wolf, K.W. and Gribbins, K.M. 2010. Ultrastructural study of spermiogenesis in the Jamaican Gray Anole, Anolis lineatopus (Reptilia: Polychrotidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 91: 484–494. Abstract As the number of spermatozoal characters being described in reptiles increases, it is important to detail the ontogeny of the features leading to the mature morphology of the spermatozoa which may give rise to more comprehensive data matrices for future phylogenetic analyses within the Reptilia. Therefore, spermiogenically active testes from Anolis lineatopus were investigated ultrastructurally to describe the intracellular changes that occur throughout spermiogenesis. The primary events of spermiogenesis (acrosome formation, nuclear condensation, and elongation) seen in A. lineatopus are similar to those previously described for other amniotes. Characters including a round perforatorium tip, stopper-like perforatorial base plate, open pits of nucleoplasm during condensation, and protein layers within the acrosome complex corroborate trends from previous studies in squamates. However, uniquely defined in A. lineatopus are the excessive amounts of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes that contribute to cellular secretions during mid elongation of the spermatids and the lack of a manchette. During acrosome formation, the acrosome granule is found in a basal rather than an apical position, which has been observed in previous studies. These similarities and differences observed during spermiogenesis may be helpful in elucidating the development of mature spermatozoal characters as well as aid in future phylogenetic analyses.
Non‐immune hydrops fetalis and bilateral pulmonary hypoplasia in a newborn infant with extralobar pulmonary sequestration

Extralobar pulmonary sequestration was found in a newborn premature infait that presented with non‐immune hydrops fetalis, massive bilateral hydrothorax and polyhydramnios in utero. The baby died of severe respiratory insufficiency 15 h after birth. Postmortem examination revealed distended lymphatic vessels in the sequestered lung tissue probably due to impeded lymph drainage. We suggest that not extralobar pulmonary sequestration itself but a subsequent massive unilateral hydrothorax due to severe obstruction of lymph drainage was the cause of the non‐immune hydrops fetalis, pulmonary hypoplasia and polyhydramnios. If these symptoms are diagnosed before delivery, a search for extralobar pulmonary sequestration is indicated.
Real-time targeted molecular imaging using singular value spectra properties to isolate the adherent microbubble signal

Ultrasound-based real-time molecular imaging in large blood vessels holds promise for early detection and diagnosis of various important and significant diseases, such as stroke, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Central to the success of this imaging technique is the isolation of ligand–receptor bound adherent microbubbles from free microbubbles and tissue structures. In this paper, we present a new approach, termed singular spectrum-based targeted molecular (SiSTM) imaging, which separates signal components using singular value spectra content over local regions of complex echo data. Simulations were performed to illustrate the effects of acoustic target motion and harmonic energy on SiSTM imaging-derived measurements of statistical dimensionality. In vitro flow phantom experiments were performed under physiologically realistic conditions (2.7 cm s−1 flow velocity and 4 mm diameter) with targeted and non-targeted phantom channels. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrated that the relative motion and harmonic characteristics of adherent microbubbles (i.e. low motion and large harmonics) yields echo data with a dimensionality that is distinct from free microbubbles (i.e. large motion and large harmonics) and tissue (i.e. low motion and low harmonics). Experimental SiSTM images produced the expected trend of a greater adherent microbubble signal in targeted versus non-targeted microbubble experiments (P < 0.05, n = 4). The location of adherent microbubbles was qualitatively confirmed via optical imaging of the fluorescent DiI signal along the phantom channel walls after SiSTM imaging. In comparison with two frequency-based real-time molecular imaging strategies, SiSTM imaging provided significantly higher image contrast (P < 0.001, n = 4) and a larger area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (P < 0.05, n = 4).
Towards Effective Event-Driven SOA in Enterprise Systems

Event-driven programming is progressively replacing the call-stack model to improve flexibility, efficiency and scalability in SOA. Enterprise applications often deal with large messages attached to asynchronous events. This could reduce the benefits provided by event-driven programming since the need for having every information propagated as event is counterbalanced by wasting resources when large messages are entirely propagated to destinations that do not use all of them. In this paper, we propose the adoption of the D-WSLink framework for improving data transfers by using a composite and extensible declarative mechanism to inject the desired message transfer strategies into the underlying middleware. At the current stage, we focus mainly on (conditional) lazy transfer mechanisms even though the framework is able to support also smarter strategies. In particular, we compare, through an experimental analysis, our system with Apache Camel in delivering events with large attachments. The results show that the proposed approach is effective not only for programming but also at performance level.
Star Clusters as Type Ia Supernova Factories

We find a remarkably enhanced production rate in star clusters (relative to the field) of very short-period, massive double white dwarf stars and of giant-white dwarf binaries. These results are based on N-body simulations performed with the new GRAPE-6 special purpose hardware and are important in identifying and characterizing the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae. The high incidence of very close double white dwarf systems is the result of dynamical encounters between (mostly) primordial binaries and other cluster stars. Orbital hardening rapidly drives these degenerate binaries to periods under ~10 hr. Gravitational radiation emission and mergers producing supra-Chandrasekhar objects follow in less than a Hubble time. If most stars are born in clusters, then estimates of the double white dwarf merger rates in galaxies (due to cluster dynamical interaction) must be increased more than 10-fold. A majority of the Roche lobe overflow giant white dwarf binaries are not primordial; they are produced in exchange reactions. Most cases result in a common envelope and formation of a double white dwarf binary rather than supersoft X-ray sources leading possibly to a Type Ia supernova.
Observer-based sliding mode control of a robotic manipulator

SUMMARY This paper presents a new approach for the design of variable structure control (VSC) of nonlinear systems. The approach is based on estimation of joint acceleration signals with introduction of load estimation with the asymptotic observer. The control system is insensitive to parameter variations for a chosen switching hypersurface in conditions when it is reached by the dynamic motion with the required dynamics. The parameter insensitive response provided by this control method is demonstrated on the model of the SCARA robot. Simulation results confirm the validity of accurate tracking capability and the robust performance.
Association of ADHD with genetic variants in the 5′‐region of the dopamine transporter gene: Evidence for allelic heterogeneity

Multiple studies have reported an association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the 10‐repeat allele of a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the 3′‐untranslated region (3′UTR) of the dopamine transporter gene (DAT1). Yet, recent meta‐analyses of available data find little or no evidence for this association; although there is strong evidence for heterogeneity between datasets. This pattern of findings could arise for several reasons including the presence of relatively rare risk alleles on common haplotype backgrounds or the functional interaction of two or more loci within the gene. We previously described the importance of a specific haplotype at the 3′ end of DAT1, as well as the identification of associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within or close to 5′ regulatory sequences. In this study we replicate the association of SNPs at the 5′ end of the gene and identify a specific risk haplotype spanning the 5′ and 3′ markers. These findings indicate the presence of at least two loci associated with ADHD within the DAT1 gene and suggest that either additive or interaction effects of these two loci on the risk for ADHD. Overall these data provide further evidence that genetic variants of the dopamine transporter gene confer an increased risk for ADHD. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study of the Intellectual Development of the Child

Study of the intellectual development of the child has, up to this point, been limited to cross-sectional methods, which provide only a static picture of the level of development attained by a child at a particular moment in time. Unable to form a concept in a child, we have simply given the child problems (which required putting together a concept) and determined what he was already able to do. The method of determining the "zone of proximal development" on the basis of differences between the results scored by the child in doing a problem independently and those obtained in joint activity with an adult has made the procedure more complex, but not eliminated this fundamental limitation.
A 48mW 15-to-28Gb/s source-synchronous receiver with adaptive DFE using hybrid alternate clock scheme and baud-rate CDR in 65nm CMOS

A source-synchronous serial link receiver with an adaptive quarter-rate 2-tap DFE and a baud-rate CDR is demonstrated. The data-sampler-lane (DSL) of the DFE uses the combination of the soft-decision technique and a new dynamic structure to achieve a power efficiency of 0.24mW/Gb/s. The error-sampler-lane (ESL) based on the same dynamic structure is shared by the DFE adaption logic and baud-rate CDR logic to save power and area. A hybrid alternate clock scheme is implemented to satisfy the timing requirement and reduce power consumption further. This receiver fabricated in 65nm CMOS operates from 15 to 28Gb/s, and compensates for a Nyquist channel loss of 32dB with 0.42UI timing margin at 25Gb/s for BER=10-12. The active area is 0.18mm2 and the power consumption is 48mW at 25Gb/s from a 1.2V supply.
Novel Gene Mutations in Patients With Left Ventricular Noncompaction or Barth Syndrome

Background — Mutations in the gene G4.5 result in a wide spectrum of severe infantile cardiomyopathic phenotypes, including isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC), as well as Barth syndrome (BTHS) with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The purpose of this study was to investigate patients with LVNC or BTHS for mutations in G4.5 or other novel genes. Methods and Results — DNA was isolated from 2 families and 3 individuals with isolated LVNC or LVNC with congenital heart disease (CHD), as well as 4 families with BTHS associated with LVNC or DCM, and screened for mutations by single-strand DNA conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. In 1 family with LVNC and CHD, a C→T mutation was identified at nucleotide 362 of &agr;-dystrobrevin, changing a proline to leucine (P121L). Mutations in G4.5 were identified in 2 families with isolated LVNC: a missense mutation in exon 4 (C118R) in 1 and a splice donor mutation (IVS10+2T→A) in intron 10 in the other. In a family with cardiomyopathies ranging from BTHS or fatal infantile cardiomyopathy to asymptomatic DCM, a splice acceptor mutation in exon 2 of G4.5 (398-2 A→G) was identified, and a 1-bp deletion in exon 2 of G4.5, resulting in a stop codon after amino acid 41, was identified in a sporadic case of BTHS. Conclusions — These data demonstrate genetic heterogeneity in LVNC, with mutation of a novel gene, &agr;-dystrobrevin, identified in LVNC associated with CHD. In addition, these results confirm that mutations in G4.5 result in a wide phenotypic spectrum of cardiomyopathies.
Search for very high energy gamma rays from WIMP annihilations near the Sun with the Milagro detector

The neutralino, the lightest stable supersymmetric particle, is a strong theoretical candidate for the missing astronomical 'dark matter'. A profusion of such neutralinos can accumulate near the Sun when they lose energy upon scattering and are gravitationally captured. Pair-annihilations of those neutralinos may produce very high-energy (VHE, above 100 GeV) gamma rays. Milagro is an air shower array which uses the water Cherenkov technique to detect extensive-air showers and is capable of observing VHE gamma rays from the direction of the Sun with an angular resolution of 0.75 deg. Analysis of Milagro data with an exposure to the Sun of 1165 hours presents the first attempt to detect TeV gamma rays produced by annihilating neutralinos captured by the Solar system and shows no statistically significant signal. Resulting limits that can be set on the gamma-ray flux due to near-Solar neutralino annihilations and on the neutralino cross-section are presented.
Reexamining the Impact of System Use on Job Performance from the Perspective of Adaptive System Use

Prior research with regard to the relationship between system use and job performance has been inconsistent. Some research found that system use has significant impact on job performance, as anticipated; other research does not confirm such a relationship. In this paper, we try to bridge this inconsistency by attributing this inconsistency to the simply conceptualized and measured system use construct. Subsequently, we introduce a “richer” conceptualization of system use, namely adaptive system use, and we examine its relationship with job performance. We suggest that adaptive system use accounts for a significant part of the impact of system use on job performance. Using a sample of 274 MS Office users, we were able to confirm that adaptive system use has significant impact on task productivity, management control, and task innovation. This research has implications for both research and practice.
Postural Control Can Be Well Maintained by Healthy, Young Adults in Difficult Visual Task, Even in Sway-Referenced Dynamic Conditions

Purpose To challenge the validity of existing cognitive models of postural control, we recorded eye movements and postural sway during two visual tasks (a control free-viewing task and a difficult searching task), and two postural tasks (one static task in which the platform was maintained stable and a dynamic task in which the platform moved in a sway-referenced manner.) We expected these models to be insufficient to predict the results in postural control both in static–as already shown in the literature reports–and in dynamic platform conditions. Methods Twelve healthy, young adults (17.3 to 34.1 years old) participated in this study. Postural performances were evaluated using the Multitest platform (Framiral®) and ocular recording was performed with Mobile T2 (e(ye)BRAIN®). In the free-viewing task, the participants had to look at an image, without any specific instruction. In the searching task, the participants had to look at an image and also to locate the position of an object in the scene. Results Postural sway was only significantly higher in the dynamic free-viewing condition than in the three other conditions with no significant difference between these three other conditions. Visual task performance was slightly higher in dynamic than in static conditions. Discussion As expected, our results did not confirm the main assumption of the current cognitive models of postural control–i.e. that the limited attentional resources of the brain should explain changes in postural control in our conditions. Indeed, 1) the participants did not sway significantly more in the sway-referenced dynamic searching condition than in any other condition; 2) the participants swayed significantly less in both static and dynamic searching conditions than in the dynamic free-viewing condition. We suggest that a new cognitive model illustrating the adaptive, functional role of the brain to control upright stance is necessary for future studies.
Coverage in wireless sensor networks based on individual particle optimization

Effective sensor coverage is one of the key topics addressed in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) study, which refers to the deployment and detection probability of WSNs. This paper proposes a novel deployment algorithm for mobile sensor networks, based on individual particle optimization (IPO). The algorithm is designed for real-time online deployment for the purpose of maximum coverage in the environment. The mobile nodes will relocate themselves to find the best deployment under various kinds of situations in order to cover the largest area. The new locations of the mobile nodes are determined by IPO. Here, the remarkable point is the capability to be applied in a real-time manner due to considerable higher convergence rate of IPO algorithm. The experimental results verify that the deployment of the mobile sensors with IPO outperforms the previous deployment algorithms such as GA and PSO based approaches with respect to effective coverage area and computation time.
Protein kinase A type I: a target for cancer therapy.

The mechanism of action of the two isoforms of the PKA,[2][1] defined PKAI and PKAII, respectively, has been the object of study for almost 25 years. However, only during the past decade, experimental evidences have started to confer distinct functions to PKAI and PKAII and have demonstrated that
Exposure to exogenous estrogen through intake of commercial milk produced from pregnant cows

Background: Modern genetically improved dairy cows continue to lactate throughout almost the entire pregnancy. Therefore, recent commercial cow's milk contains large amounts of estrogens and progesterone. With regard to the exposure of prepubertal children to exogenous estrogens, the authors are particularly concerned about commercial milk produced from pregnant cows. The purpose of the present study was therefore to examine concentrations of serum and urine sex hormones after the intake of cow milk.
Using Adaboost Method for Face Detection and Pedestrian-Flow Evaluation of Digital Signage

Within modern society, digital signage, billboards, and signboards have been widely and successfully applied for sending various information and advertisement. However, how to evaluate the dispatched benefits is an extremely important issue for business owners. In order to tackle this problem, this paper proposes an effective evaluating system for digital billboard audiences. Via the build-in front-end camera, individual audiences' watched dates, time periods, halted durations and locations are able to be precisely recorded, and through these collected data the proposed evaluation system can provide statistical information to the authorized personnel for further assessing the relative benefits of specific billboard.
How robots can help: communication strategies that improve social outcomes

Offering help is a socially precarious venture. A robot that mimics human help-giving communication might end up supporting or might end up offending the help recipient. This thesis begins by observing the varied linguistic strategies human help givers use and their subsequent effects on help recipients. With this understanding, this thesis experimentally observes reactions to robot helpers in comparison to human helpers, looking closely at the influence of help messages on impressions. This experiment provides evidence that imperative statements from a robot are perceived to be controlling, in much the same way as humans using imperative statements. But when particular politeness strategies are used, robots are judged to be even less controlling than people. This thesis improves our understanding of human help-giving communication, offers guidance in the design of sensitive robot helpers, and argues for the continued investigation of advantageous differences between social responses to technology and social responses to people.
The role of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element sequence on mRNA abundance during porcine embryogenesis and parthenogenetic development

Development of a porcine germinal vesicle oocyte (GVO) to a 4‐cell stage embryo occurs during a transcriptionally silent period when the oocyte/embryo relies on maternally derived mRNA to encode proteins required for development. Regulation of translation and degradation of maternal mRNA is thought to be partially dependent on cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements (CPEs) within the 3′ untranslated region of the mRNA. The goal of this study was to determine how CPE sites affect the abundance of mRNA during embryogenesis and parthenogenetic development, and how cordycepin, a 3′‐deooxyadenosine (3′‐dA) that inhibits poly‐(A) tail formation, affects polyadenylation and transcript abundance. Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from oocytes and 4‐cell stage embryos were scanned for the presence of five consensus CPEs. Nineteen different transcripts containing one to three CPEs were selected, and transcript abundance was determined in GVO, metaphase II, 2‐cell, and 4‐cell stage embryos via real‐time PCR while the length of the poly‐(A) tail was determined by using a poly‐(A) tail PCR (PAT) assays. Real‐time PCR was performed on three biological and two technical replicates for each stage. There was no direct correlation between poly‐(A) tail length, transcript abundance, and the CPE. In addition, the abundance of some messages was different if the embryo was the result of parthenogenetic activation. Cordycepin prevented polyadenylation of transcripts that normally undergo noticeable polyadenylation. Thus, CPEs may not be the only factors that regulate message stability, and parthenogenetic activation does not result in changes in transcript abundance that mimic in vitro fertilization. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77: 699–709, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rerum novarum: interactive exploration of illuminated manuscripts

This paper describes an interactive application for the exploration and annotation of illuminated manuscripts, which typically contain thousands of pictures, used to comment or embellish the manuscript Gothic text. The system is composed by a modern user interface for browsing, surfing and querying, an automatic segmentation module, to ease the initial picture extraction task, and a similarity based retrieval engine, used to provide visually assisted tagging capabilities. A relevance feedback procedure is included to further refine the results.
Policy, papers and pages: Improving media engagement in the Pacific

Merits and drawbacks exist in all forms of media across the world, so Pacific Islanders would do well to deeply consider the kind of journalism they want to cultivate in their region. While exposition of media freedom issues is important, there are other ways to progress the media freedom cause aside from raising awareness and discussing the issue explicitly. Media outlets and professionals should stay mindful that they have a role to play in shaping and informing policy discussions and need to recognise that the internet and social media are changing the game - and both government and traditional media can engage more with the online world. The author argues that better connectivity and engagement between media, government and international organisations can help improve quality journalism.