Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gastrointestinal motility and the role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

This thesis explores the relation between gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gastrointestinal symptoms and dysmotility. In primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS), a patient group with high levels of GnRH antibodies, associations between objective signs and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction (AD), impaired gastric emptying (IGE), and inflammatory and serological features were studied. Forty-three percent of pSS patients had objective signs of IGE, which was associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers and was more common in rheumatoid factor seropositive patients. No associations between IGE and objective and subjective AD variables or gastrointestinal symptoms were found. Gastrointestinal complaints in different patient populations with high levels of GnRH antibodies were investigated using the visual analog scale for irritable bowel syndrome (VAS-IBS) questionnaire. It was found that the VAS-IBS questionnaire can be used to assess gastrointestinal symptoms in individual patients, but does not aid clinicians in differentiating between different motility disorders. Patients with severe dysmotility, having had full-thickness biopsy, were investigated with the aim of describing expression of GnRH in the enteric nervous system (ENS) and antibodies against GnRH in serum. In a control group GnRH was present in about 50% of human myenteric neurons. A subgroup of patients with severe dysmotility expressed antibodies against GnRH and had reduced expression of GnRH-containing neurons in the ENS. Also, luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors were found in the gastrointestinal tract, in patients both with and without severe dysmotility, possibly providing a mechanism through which GnRH might affect the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal symptoms and presence of antibodies against GnRH and its receptor in serum in women before and after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment with buserelin was investigated. Buserelin treatment caused gastrointestinal symptoms during treatment, and the effect on symptoms in a five-year perspective varied; no severe dysmotility or production of antibodies against GnRH or its receptor was detected. Enteric neurodegeneration and titers of GnRH antibodies in rat in response to repeated administration of the GnRH analog buserelin was studied. Repeated administrations of buserelin were accompanied by up to 50% loss of enteric neurons in rat. However buserelin-treated rats do not display increased titers of GnRH antibodies in serum, nor do they lose weight compared to saline-treated control rats. Taken together, GnRH and LH receptors were expressed in about half of human enteric neurons. GnRH seems to affect gastrointestinal motility and function. Some patients with motility disorders express antibodies against GnRH in serum and display lower levels of the peptide in the bowel. Repeated treatment with the peptide in rat causes loss of myenteric neurons.
Multiple-trait multiple-interval mapping of quantitative-trait loci

QTL (quantitative-trait locus) analysis aims to locate and estimate the effects of genes that are responsible for quantitative traits, such as grain protein content and yield, by means of statistical methods that evaluate the association of genetic variation with trait (phenotypic) variation. Quantitative traits are typically polygenic, i.e., controlled by multiple genes, with varying degrees of influence on the phenotype. Several methods have been developed to increase the accuracy of QTL location and effect estimates. One of them, multiple interval mapping (MIM) (Kao et al. 1999), has been shown to be more accurate than conventional methods such as composite interval mapping (CIM) (Zeng 1994). Other QTL analysis methods have been developed to perform additional analyses that might be useful for breeders, such as of pleiotropy and QTL-by-environment (Q×E) interaction. It has been shown (Jiang and Zeng 1995) that these analyses can be carried out with a multivariate extension of CIM (MT-CIM) that exploits the correlation structure in a set of traits. In doing so, this method also improves the accuracy of QTL location detection. This thesis describes the multivariate extension of MIM (MT-MIM) using ideas from MT-CIM. The development of additional multivariate tests, such as of pleiotropy and Q×E interaction, and several methods pertinent to the development of MT-MIM are also described. A small simulation study shows that MT-MIM is more accurate than MT-CIM and univariate MIM. Results for real data show that MT-MIM is able to provide a more accurate and precise estimate of QTL location.
Sonochemical Synthesis of Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles

Cobalt ferrite being a hard magnetic material with high coercivity and moderate magnetization has found wide-spread applications. In this paper, we have reported the sonochemical synthesis of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles using metal acetate precursors. The ferrite synthesis occurs in three steps (hydrolysis of acetates, oxidation of hydroxides, and in situ microcalcination of metal oxides) that are facilitated by physical and chemical effects of cavitation bubbles. The physical and magnetic properties of the ferrite nano-particles thus synthesized have been found to be comparable with those reported in the literature using other synthesis techniques.
IN TE GRATED STRA TIG RA PHY OF THE MID DLE-UP PER JU RAS SIC OF THE KRÍNA NAPPE, TATRA MOUN TAINS

Jach, R. , Djeriae, N. , Goriean, S. & Rehakova, D. , 2014. In te grated stra tig ra phy of the Mid dle–Up per Ju ras sic of the Krina Nappe, Tatra Moun tains. Annales Societatis Geologorum Poloniae, 84: 1–33. Ab stract: Mid dle–Up per Ju ras sic pe lagic car bon ates and radiolarites were stud ied in the Krina Nappe of the Tatra Moun tains (Cen tral West ern Carpathians, south ern Po land and north ern Slovakia). A car bon iso tope stra tig ra phy of these de pos its was com bined with biostratigraphy, based on radio lar ians, cal car e ous dinoflagellates and calpionellids. In the High Tatra and Belianske Tatra Moun tains, the Bajocian and part of the Bathonian are rep re sented by a thick suc ces sion of spot ted lime stones and grey nod u lar lime stones, while in the West ern Tatra Moun tains by rel a tively thin Bositra-crinoidal lime stones. These de pos its are re fer able to a deeper ba sin and a pe lagic car bon ate plat form, re spec tively. The var i ous car bon ate fa cies are fol lowed by deep-wa ter biosiliceous fa cies, namely radiolarites and radiolarian-bear ing lime stones of Late Bathonian–early Late Kimmeridgian age. These fa cies pass into Up per Kimmeridgian–Lower Tithonian pe lagic car bon ates with abun dant Saccocoma sp. The bulk-car bon ate iso tope com po si tion of the car bon ate-si li ceous de pos its shows pos i tive and neg a tive d 13 C ex cur sions and shifts in the Early Bajocian, Late Bajocian, Early Bathonian, Late Bathonian, Late Callovian, Mid dle Oxfordian and Late Kimmeridgian. Ad di tion ally, the d 13 C curves stud ied show a pro nounced in creas ing trend in the Callovian and a steadily de creas ing trend in the Oxfordian–Early Tithonian. These cor re late with the trends known from the Tethyan re gion. The on set of Late Bathonian radiolarite sed i men ta tion is marked by a de creas ing trend in d 13 C. In creased d 13 C val ues in the Late Callovian, Mid dle Oxfordian and Late Kimmeridgian (Moluccana Zone) cor re spond with en hanced radiolarian pro duc tion. A sig nif i cant in crease in CaCO3 con tent is re corded just above the Late Callovian d 13 C ex cur sion, which co in cides with a tran si tion from green to var ie gated
Reducing the Time to Thoroughly Test a GUI

The testing of the GUI interface is a critical part of the plan for the application’s release. Many modern software applications include a Graphical User Interface (GUI), these interfaces can be extremely simple to agonizingly complex depending on the application. Using a graphical model to describe the operational behavior of a GUI in combination with an Automated Test Execution system can dramatically reduce the time required in testing this type of application. This paper describes a straightforward process for GUI testing using a modeling tool which then generates suites of tests verifying the application's operation. The result of this automated approach is reduced testing time and an increase in testing thoroughness.
Conceptual Model of Continuing Professional Education Based on Social-and-Academic Approach

The importance of the issue in subject derives from the fact that the vocational (professional) education does not really meet the demands of people, society and state that are explained by new qualification requirements to employees in various fields, including forestry, in the modern socio-economic situation. Thus, continuing professional education is particularly important. This article is aimed for development of a conceptual model for continuing professional education based on the potential of this system, that has to be used to its full extent in order to overcome the danger of our country lagging behind the world tendencies in economic and social development and increasing quality of training of forestry workers that possess such qualities as mobility, dynamics, constructiveness, independent thinking and acting. The leading method in research of this issue is modelling that allows us to see the issue as a process of focused and deliberate learning to monitor the quality of education by specialists. The article presents a conceptual model for continuing professional education, reveals its peculiarities, and describes an algorithm for implementation of such model based on socio-academic approach. The model is aimed for successful socialization of students, adaptation to new professional environment and development of scientific and methodological basis for the education quality monitoring.
Memory Efficient Semi-Global Matching

Abstract. Semi-GlobalMatching (SGM) is a robust stereo method that has proven its usefulness in various applications ranging from aerial image matching to driver assistance systems. It supports pixelwise matching for maintaining sharp object boundaries and fine structures and can be implemented efficiently on different computation hardware. Furthermore, the method is not sensitive to the choice of parameters. The structure of the matching algorithm is well suited to be processed by highly paralleling hardware e.g. FPGAs and GPUs. The drawback of SGM is the temporary memory requirement that depends on the number of pixels and the disparity range. On the one hand this results in long idle times due to the bandwidth limitations of the external memory and on the other hand the capacity bounds are quickly reached. A full HD image with a size of 1920 × 1080 pixels and a disparity range of 512 pixels requires already 1 billion elements, which is at least several GB of RAM, depending on the element size, wich are not available at standard FPGA- and GPUboards. The novel memory efficient (eSGM) method is an advancement in which the amount of temporary memory only depends on the number of pixels and not on the disparity range. This permits matching of huge images in one piece and reduces the requirements of the memory bandwidth for real-time mobile robotics. The feature comes at the cost of 50% more compute operations as compared to SGM. This overhead is compensated by the previously idle compute logic within the FPGA and the GPU and therefore results in an overall performance increase. We show that eSGM produces the same high quality disparity images as SGM and demonstrate its performance both on an aerial image pair with 142 MPixel and within a real-time mobile robotic application. We have implemented the new method on the CPU, GPU and FPGA.We conclude that eSGM is advantageous for a GPU implementation and essential for an implementation on our FPGA.
Optimizing the directional sensitivity of LISA

It was shown in a previous work that the data combinations canceling laser frequency noise constitute a module-the module of syzygies. The cancellation of laser frequency noise is crucial for obtaining the requisite sensitivity for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). In this work, we show how the sensitivity of LISA can be optimized for a monochromatic source-a compact binary-whose direction is known, by using appropriate data combinations in the module. A stationary source in the barycentric frame appears to move in the LISA frame and our strategy consists of coherently tracking the source by appropriately switching the data combinations so that they remain optimal at all times. Assuming that the polarization of the source is not known, we average the signal over the polarizations. We find that the best statistic is the "network" statistic, in which case LISA can be construed as two independent detectors. We compare our results with the Michelson combination, which has been used for obtaining the standard sensitivity curve for LISA, and with the observable obtained by optimally switching the three Michelson combinations. We find that for sources lying in the ecliptic plane, the improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) increases from 34% at low frequencies to nearly 90% at around 20 mHz. Finally, we present the signal-to-noise ratios for some known binaries in our Galaxy. We also show that, if at low frequencies SNRs of both polarizations can be measured, the inclination angle of the plane of the orbit of the binary can be estimated.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF STRESS HORMONES IN PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious skin condition characterized by inflamed and scaly lesions of skin. Whilst the pathogenesis of psoriasis is not known, psychological stress has been implicated as a potential trigger in the onset and exacerbation of the condition. Psychiatric and psychological factors play an important role in at least 30% of dermatologic disorder and pathophysiologic link between psychological stress (PS) and disease expression remains unclear. Recent studies demonstrated PS-induced alterations in permeability barrier homeostasis, mediated by increased endogenous glucocorticoids. As activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) is critical to a successful stress response, we investigated this in patients with psoriasis. This study was performed on 55 patients (40 females and 15 males) visited our clinic for treatment of psoriasis in pharmacology department. We measured the rate of activation of HPA by hormonal changes. These patients displayed higher fasting blood sugar (FBS), epinephrine (Ep), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), aldosterone, prolactin, growth hormone and estradiol hormones value but diminished cortisol and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). These results show that HPA and psychoneuroendocrine hormones have a significant role in psoriasis.
HIV / AIDS in India : stigmatization as a process of communication and social relationship SIDA / VIH en India :

T íC U L O Pese a que el estigma del Sida ha sido un problema mayor en el mundo entero, y en la India en particular, no existe una comprensión cabal sobre el proceso detrás de este fenómeno. El presente estudio examina la percepción de la gente ante distintos niveles de esposición al Sida y al VIH, a través de ocho focus gropus y 24 entrevistas en profundidad, realizados en la India durante 2008 y 2009. Los hallazgos revelan las dinámicas (niveles) del estigma en tres períodos de tiempo (antes, durante y después de la detección del VIH en la sangre) y en tres dimensiones, la psicológica, social y económica. El aspecto psicológico del estigma emerge más a menudo en téminos de contagio y rechazo del cuerpo; en lo social y económico, está asociado principalmente al aislamiento y la pérdida del trabajo o los negocios. El conocimiento del ciclo de infección del VIH, la actitud hacia la vida y la resilencia o adaptabilidad emergen como los principales factores detrás del estigma.
A methodology for assessing the performance of national oil companies : background paper for a study on national oil companies and value creation

The National Oil Companies (NOCs) matter because they dominate the proven oil reserves that are expected to supply the world's growing need for liquid fuels. Also, in many countries, the oil sector dominates the economy and is seen as the major source of economic development. This study seeks to help define a methodology for assessing NOCs' effectiveness, performance, and ability to create value. The report lists specific and quantifiable measures that can be used to assess an NOC. These are categorized as (i) general financial ratio analysis, including of leverage, liquidity, profitability, and market value ratios; (ii) performance measures specific to the oil industry, both operational and financial; and (iii) 'national mission' measures, fiscal, forward, and backward linkages. The report explains how the 'golden quadrant' approach used by Saudi Aramco can be used, at least at a conceptual level, to assess the portfolio of an NOC's projects.
29 September, 2009

Banana xanthomonas wilt (BXW) is a primary constraint to smallholder banana production in East and Central Africa. Experiential learning through farmer field schools (FFS) can accelerate the diffusion of integrated pest management (IPM) technologies at community level, consequently rendering production systems more productive, profitable, and sustainable. This paper explores the importance of FFS in successful transfer of the four-pronged ABCC strategy (that is, Avoid disease introduction, Break male buds, Cut down diseased plants, and Clean tools) for effective BXW control in Siaya County in Kenya. About 83% FFS-participants had advanced capacity for BXW diagnosis and control it with the ABCC practices. FFS also contributed to the spillover of ABCC practices to non-participating households in the community. In a paradox, 7.2% FFS-participants disadopted various practices compared to 4.7% non-participants. A few households (21%) deployed the ABCC package in its entirety, whereas majority (79%) dismantled the package, and recreated more user-friendly options. Most widely used reconstituted packages were ABC (Avoid, Break male buds, and Clean tools) (69%), and BC (Break male bud and Clean tools) (74%). An explanation being that adoption decisions are sequential and ultimate choice to adopt being reached after realization of true benefits and costs of the technology. Farmers dismantled the ABCC package after discovering a lack-of-fit within the smallholder’s context, defined by several farm level constraints. Dismantling the ABCC package allows farmers to create user-friendly practices, but also diminishes the prior anticipated impacts, which results in resurgence. Fine-tuning of these alternatives is necessary to ensure sustainable BXW management.
Performance of different management practices on tomato fruit borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) abundance and infestation

A research work based on eco-friendly management practices was undertaken at Agro-technology research field, Khulna University containing five treatments viz. Neem ( Azadirachta indicia A. Juss.), Netting, Pheromone, Mahogoni ( Swietenia mahagoni L.) and untreated control in RCBD with four replications aiming to evaluate their efficacy against tomato fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera Hubner infestation. Data were taken on tomato fruit infestation (%), number of holes and number of larvae per infested fruit. All eco-friendly management practices had remarkable action against the tomato fruit borer, of which Netting claimed the highest position to protect tomato fruit borer infestation compared to other management practices whereas the highest insect infestation took place in untreated control. So, to infer, Netting is very promising and efficient tool in controlling tomato fruit borer for safe and quality tomato production. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 14(2): 161-166, December 2016
Identifying the contribution of wild and hatchery Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to the ocean fishery using otolith microstructure as natural tags

Quantifying the contribution of wild (naturally spawned) and hatchery Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to the mixed-stock ocean fishery is critical to understanding their relative importance to the persistence of salmon stocks. The inability to distinguish hatchery and wild salmon has inhibited the detection of declines or recover- ies for many wild populations. By using Chinook salmon of known hatchery and wild origin, we established a baseline for separating these two sources using otolith microstructure. Otoliths of wild salmon contained a distinct exogenous feeding check likely reflecting an abrupt transition in food resources from maternal yolk not experienced by fish reared in hatcheries. Daily growth increments in otoliths from hatchery salmon immediately after the onset of exogenous feed- ing were wider and more uniform in width than those in wild fish. The discriminant function that we used to distin- guish individuals reared in hatcheries or in the wild was robust between years (1999 and 2002), life history stages (juveniles and adults), and geographic regions (California, British Columbia, and Alaska) and classified fish with ~91% accuracy. Results from our mixed-stock model estimated that the contribution of wild fish was 10% ± 6%, indicating hatchery supplementation may be playing a larger role in supporting the central California coastal fishery than previ- ously assumed. Resume : La mesure des contributions des saumons chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) reproduits en nature (sauva- ges) et en pisciculture a la peche commerciale marine de stock mixte est essentielle pour comprendre leur importance relative dans la persistance des stocks de saumons. L'impossibilite de distinguer entre les saumons de pisciculture et les saumons sauvages a empeche la detection des declins et des recuperations chez de nombreuses populations sauvages. En utilisant des saumons chinook d'origine connue en nature ou en pisciculture, nous avons etabli des criteres de base pour separer les deux sources d'apres la microstructure des otolithes. Les otolithes des saumons sauvages portent une marque distincte exogene d'alimentation qui reflete sans doute une transition abrupte dans les ressources alimentaires apres l'epuisement du jaune d'oeuf maternel, ce qui ne survient pas chez les poissons eleves en pisciculture. Les zones de croissance journaliere dans les otolithes des saumons de pisciculture immediatement apres le debut de l'alimentation exogene sont plus larges et d'epaisseur plus uniforme que celles des poissons sauvages. La fonction discriminante que nous utilisons pour distinguer les individus eleves en pisciculture et en nature est robuste en fonction des annees (1999 et 2002), des stades du cycle biologique (jeunes et adultes) et des regions geographiques (Californie, Colombie-
The Global Rise in Cross-Asset Correlation

Global financial markets have become more connected over time, in terms of both information and capital flows. The impact this increased connectedness on asset prices is unclear. This thesis investigates co-movement characteristics among various asset classes including: equities, credit, foreign exchange, commodities, and interest rates. I find that many assets classes that may have been formerly unrelated are now seeing significant, measurable interrelatedness. For investment managers, understanding cross-asset correlations, especially in an environment where correlations are rising, becomes an important consideration when developing risk-mitigating portfolio strategies.