Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resource dependence of agriculture cooperative in China

Established spontaneously by farmers to cope market economy, the worldwide success of agricultural cooperative (AC) showed its benefits for upgrading farmers' systematization level, resisting market risks and raising farmers' income eventually. Most researchers introduced foreign ACs' experience, analyzed the necessity of AC's existence and effects of institution transition to AC. Rarely research has been focused on resource dependence of AC's development. Based on resource theory, this paper finds clear significance of external resources, such as customer, government and human resources, to AC's performance by questionnaire survey and data analysis to 118 ACs in Wendeng City, Shandong, China.
Detection of mitochondrial DNA in living animal cells with fluorescence microscopy

The detection of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in living human cells could be useful for understanding mitochondrial behaviour during cellular processes and pathological mtDNA depletions. However, until now, human mtDNA has not been visualized in living cells with fluorescence microscopy, although it has been easily detected in organisms with larger mtDNA. Previous reports have stated that mtDNA staining results in homogeneous fluorescence of mitochondria or that animal mitochondria are refractory to DAPI staining. This paper shows that mtDNA of cultured green monkey kidney CV‐1 can be stained using a very low concentration of DAPI, then detected by a cooled Photometrics CCD camera with 14‐bit resolution detection. Indeed, under these conditions CV‐1 cells have small fluorescent spots in the cytoplasm that colocalize with mitochondria, even after mitochondrial movements, uncoupling by carbonyl cyanide p‐(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone and swelling. These observations have been reproduced for the human fibroblast foreskin cell line HS68. These results and known properties of DAPI as a specific DNA stain strongly suggest that mtDNA can be detected and visualized by fluorescence microscopy in human living cells, with potential developments in the study of mtDNA in normal and pathological situations.
A pulse VCO with tail filter

This paper presents a pulse injected VCO with a tail-filter. The proposed VCO architecture aims at the high power efficiency while mitigates the potential noise contributors by the tail filtering technique. The proposed VCO is fabricated in a standard 45-nm SOI CMOS technology. At an oscillation frequency of 5GHz, the proposed VCO achieves a phase noise of −120dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset while consumes 1.35mW, which corresponds to an FoM of −191 dBc/Hz.
Proteins of Mycobacterium bovis BCG Induced in the Wayne Dormancy Model

ABSTRACT Oxygen starvation triggers the shiftdown of the obligate aerobeMycobacterium bovis BCG to a state of dormancy. Two-dimensional electrophoresis showed a drastic up-regulation of the α-crystallin homolog, the putative response regulator Rv3133c, and the two conserved hypothetical proteins Rv2623 and Rv2626c in dormant bacilli.
Cytogenetics of the Thorny Catfish Trachydoras paraguayensis (Eigenmann & Ward, 1907), (Siluriformes, Doradidae): Evidence of Pericentric Inversions and Chromosomal Fusion

The karyotype and chromosomal characteristics of Trachydorasparaguayensis, a representative of the South American catfish family Doradidae, were analyzed by conventional (Giemsa staining, silver staining, C-banding) and molecular (FISH with rDNA and telomeric probes) cytogenetic techniques. The diploid chromosome number was 2n = 56, with 36 metacentric, 16 submetacentric, and 4 subtelocentric chromosomes in both sexes; however, a remarkable heteromorphism in pair 22 (submetacentric and metacentric elements) was detected in 6 individuals. Compared to other representatives of Doradidae which mostly have 58 chromosomes, the karyotype of T. paraguayensis suggests a reduction in 2n due to chromosomal fusion, as could be deduced from the presence of an interstitial telomere sequence in the submetacentric pair 19. Pale heterochromatic blocks were present in the terminal regions of some chromosomes, very similar to other species of Doradidae. The interstitial position of the NORs observed in the karyotype of T. paraguayensis differs from those reported for most Doradidae species, indicating that it is a derived character. FISH with 5S rDNA revealed 2 interstitial fluorescent signals in the submetacentric pair 22, and the polymorphism of these sites likely resulted from a pericentric inversion.
Corticosteroids in Corneal Graft Rejection: Double Versus Single Pulse Therapy

In a previous study, we reported that a single intravenous pulse of 500 mg of methylprednisolone is more effective than oral prednisone in reversing rejection in patients who present early with severe endothelial rejection. In addition, the grafts that survived were less likely to undergo a further rejection episode. This study investigates whether a second pulse given at 24 h (n=31) or at 48 h (n=29) has any advantage over a single pulse (n=30). All three treatment regimens were equally effective in reversing rejection (74.2%, 79.3%, and 83.3%, respectively), and there was no statistical difference in graft survival. An additional pulse therefore appears to offer no advantage over single pulse therapy. In high-risk grafts, current therapy has been reported to be less effective in reversing graft rejection. This study showed no significant difference between high- and low-risk grafts, indicating that pulse therapy may have a particular role in these difficult cases.
Guanosine promotes the up‐regulation of inward rectifier potassium current mediated by Kir4.1 in cultured rat cortical astrocytes

Guanosine (Guo) is an endogenous neuroprotective molecule of the CNS, which has various acute and long‐term effects on both neurones and astroglial cells. Whether Guo also modulates the activity/expression of ion channels involved in homeostatic control of extracellular potassium by the astrocytic syncytium is still unknown. Here we provide electrophysiological evidence that chronic exposure (48 h) to Guo (500 μm) promotes the functional expression of an inward rectifier K+ (Kir) conductance in primary cultured rat cortical astrocytes. Molecular screening indicated that Guo promotes the up‐regulation of the Kir4.1 channel, the major component of the Kir current in astroglia in vivo. Furthermore, the properties of astrocytic Kir current overlapped those of the recombinant Kir4.1 channel expressed in a heterologous system, strongly suggesting that the Guo‐induced Kir conductance is mainly gated by Kir4.1. In contrast, the expression levels of two other Kir channel proteins were either unchanged (Kir2.1) or decreased (Kir5.1). Finally, we showed that inhibition of translational process, but not depression of transcription, prevents the Guo‐induced up‐regulation of Kir4.1, indicating that this nucleoside acts through de novo protein synthesis. Because accumulating data indicate that down‐regulation of astroglial Kir current contributes to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases associated with dysregulation of extracellular K+ homeostasis, these results support the notion that Guo might be a molecule of therapeutic interest for counteracting the detrimental effect of K+‐buffering impairment of the astroglial syncytium that occurs in pathological conditions.
Rule based algorithm for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) integration in residential electric grid areas

The Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) will strongly penetrate in the car fleet for the coming years. Based on databases of the houses Daily Loads Profiles (DLPs) build from real electricity consumption of domestic's electrical devices, this paper determines the minimal load power of PHEVs which assures the complete recharge of batteries before the next reuse of vehicles while avoiding recharging during the peak hours. A Rule Based algorithm is developed which allows to PHEVs constructors to limit PHEVs charging current to 8A if they are charged at home. In match with different levels of the load powers existing in France, we recommend a maximum load power chargers for PHEVs charged in residential electric grid areas equals to 1840W (230V×8A) which ensures that 100% of the PHEVs batteries have a State of Charge (SOC) equals to 100% for the next use.
Relative Contributions of von Willebrand Factor and Platelets in High ShearThrombosis

Platelets and von Willebrand factor (VWF) are recognized as important mediators of thrombosis at high shear rates, but their relative contributions are unclear. We employ a stenotic microfluidic test system to induce thrombus formation to occlusion on collagen at pathologic shear rates of 3500-6000 s-1. To obtain blood analogs with reduced platelet and VWF concentrations, human whole blood was diluted with saline by 90% or 99% and hematocrit restored by adding washed red blood cells. Platelets and VWF were selectively restored to normal levels. Blood from patients with known von Willebrand disease (VWD) was also investigated with and without the addition of VWF to investigate the contribution of platelet VWF. Normal whole blood led to channel occlusion in all tests (occlusion time, tocc=6.1 ± 2.2 min). 90% dilution with restored VWF occluded in 6/7 subjects even without restored platelets (tocc=16.6 ± 1.4 min). 90% dilution with restored platelets occluded in 2/5 subjects (tocc=27.2 ± 1.8 min), showing that added VWF is more effective for restoring occlusion than platelets. Addition of plasma VWF to VWD blood restored occlusion in only 1/4 severe subjects (VWF:RCo<15) and did not reduce normal occlusion time in the occluding subject, suggesting that VWF release from platelets plays an important role in high shear thrombosis. Logistic regression shows that VWF concentration and platelet count are strong predictors of thrombotic occlusion. Efforts to control high shear thrombosis may focus on VWF in addition to platelet function.
A sex‐specific size–number tradeoff in clonal broods

Polyembryonic parasitoids producing single-sex broods of clonal offspring provide an unusually clear window into the classic tradeoff between the number and size of offspring. We conducted a laboratory study of the encyrtid parasitoid Copidosoma bakeri parasitizing the noctuid Agrotis ipsilon to examine the way that size and number of offspring tradeoff in broods of each sex and to determine how the fit between host and parasitoid brood is achieved. We found that brood mass (wasp body massbrood size) was proportional to host mass, independent of brood sex, indicating a tight fit between brood and host and ensuring a sizenumber tradeoff. By correcting brood size and body mass of each brood for host mass, we demonstrated the expected inverse relationship between wasp variables. We postulated that the wasp brood might achieve the fit to the host by (1) adjusting brood size based on information available early in host development before and during division of the embryo, (2) manipulating host size late in host development after completion of embryo division, or (3) simply adjusting individual wasp mass to fill the host. We evaluated host responses to parasitismand correlations between brood size and host growth early and late in developmentfor broods of each sex. The data are consistent with adjustment of brood size to the amount of host growth early in host development and with manipulation of host mass late in host development. The tight link between host mass and brood mass also suggests a final adjustment by parasitoid growth to achieve complete filling. Within the tight fit, female broods were smaller but contained larger individuals than male broods. The sex-specific balance point of the tradeoff and sex differences in balancing mechanisms and responses to host size suggest different selection pressures on each sex requiring future investigation.
Generating Responses that Reflect Meta Information in User-Generated Question Answer Pairs

This paper concerns the problem of realizing consistent personalities in neural conversational modeling by using user generated question-answer pairs as training data. Using the framework of role play-based question answering, we collected single-turn question-answer pairs for particular characters from online users. Meta information was also collected such as emotion and intimacy related to question-answer pairs. We verified the quality of the collected data and, by subjective evaluation, we also verified their usefulness in training neural conversational models for generating utterances reflecting the meta information, especially emotion.
Apache spark as distributed middleware for power system analysis

We propose an architecture that aims to improve the execution times of compute intensive calculations that are part of prominent power system analysis functions. The approach uses the distributed framework Apache Spark to target the common problems in linear algebra, like the solving of a matrix equation, that increase the complexity of said functions. Our analysis focuses on the load flow study as a common and important procedure that could benefit from distributed computing.
High‐resolution magic‐angle‐spinning 1H NMR spectroscopy reveals different responses in choline‐containing metabolites upon gene therapy‐induced programmed cell death in rat brain glioma

Changes in the concentrations of choline‐containing metabolites (CCM) have been implicated in both cell proliferation and death processes. In this study, high‐resolution magic‐angle‐spinning (HRMAS) 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to study metabolite changes in the CCM chemical shift region in rat glioma ex vivo during apoptosis induced by thymidine kinase–ganciclovir gene therapy. Cell density and apoptotic activity in the tumours were quantified by histological methods. HRMAS 1H NMR was able to resolve peaks from choline (Cho), glycerophosphocholine (GPC), phosphocholine (PC), taurine (Tau) and myo‐inositol (myo‐Ins), all of which contribute to the in vivo 1H NMR peak centred at 3.23 ppm. The early phase of apoptosis (treatment day 4), with a ∼2.8‐fold increase in the number of apoptotic nuclei (at constant cell density of 1.8 ± 0.1 × 105 cells/mm3) was associated with increases in resonance intensity from GPC and PC, while Cho and Tau remained unchanged. Later stage apoptosis, accompanied by synchronous cell death (cell density declined to 0.7 ± 0.02 × 105 cells/mm3), resulted in a significant decline in Tau relative to untreated tumours, while the contents of CCMs and myo‐Ins detectable by 1H HRMAS were unchanged. These observations demonstrate that, while the in vivo 1H NMR peak at 3.23 ppm is indicative of cellular processes involved in apoptosis, the biochemical changes monitored by this resonance involve a number of different and chemically distinct metabolites. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Information Technology and Quantitative Management , ITQM 2013 Knowledge-based Support Vector Classification Based on C-SVC

where xi ∈ Rn, yi ∈ {−1, 1} (i = 1, · · · , l), our goal is to find a real valued function g(x) in Rn, such that the value of y for any x can be predicted by the decision function f (x) = sgn(g(x)). In many real-world classification problems, we are not only given a traditional training set T , but also provided by some prior information. For example, some advised classification rules are introduced in the form of multiple polyhedral sets, i.e., the input points xi (i = 1, · · · , l) are extended to the input polyhedral sets. This paper focuses on the classification problems with these prior knowledge. For solving the traditional classification problems, support vector machines (SVMs), which are introduced by Vapnik in the early 1990s, are proved effective and promising techniques ([1]-[4],[16]-[19]). In recent years, researchers have paid more attention to incorporate prior knowledge into SVMs ([5]-[12]). Knowledge-based support vector machines (KBSVMs) have been proposed by Magasarian and his co-workers([5]). KBSVMs have been extensively studied, and in addition to linear classification, they have been extended to incorporate kernels ([6]), nonlinear advice([12]) and for kernel approximations ([9]). Furthermore, Kunapuli et al. derived an online version of KBSVMs ([7]), while other approaches such as that of Le et al. ([8]) modify the hypothesis space rather than the optimization problem.
Complement-requiring neutralizing antibodies in Herpesvirus hominis encephalitis.

Attempts at diagnosis of Herpesvirus hominis encephalitis by isolation of virus and a histologic search for type A intranuclear inclusion bodies from biopsies of the brain were made in eight patients who later were shown to have this disease. By these means a diagnosis was established in two of the eight patients. In four of seven patients with herpesvirus encephalitis the initial serum showed titers of complement-requiring neutralizing antibodies to Herpesvirus hominis that were significantly greater (4 or more) than the titers of non-complement-requiring neutralizing antibodies. In another patient the CRN/N was 4 on the 15th day in the hospital. Complement dependence generally disappeared in later sera. The CRN/N was 4 or more during two of four episodes of recurrent mucocutaneous herpes simplex and in five of 17 persons without current recognized herpetic infection. Disparities in times of rise and fall in complement-fixing, complement-requiring and non-complement-requiring neutralizing antibodies indicate that the molecular species of the three immunoglobulins are distinct.
An Intelligent Spam Filtering System Based on Fuzzy Clustering

Spam, also known as unsolicited bulk email (UBE), is becoming increasingly harmful for email traffics. Filtering is a simple and efficient way to combat against spam. Machine-learning-based classification algorithms are of excellent performance in filtering spam. However, the classifiers need be trained with a group of training samples before being able to work. Heavy manual labor and privacy problems are involved in preparing these training samples. In this paper, we proposed a spam filtering system that can work without training in advance. The system is based on fuzzy clustering instead of classification algorithms, avoiding the problems brought by training samples. The system achieves reasonable filtering quality in the experiments.
Aldosterone Stimulates Collagen Gene Expression and Synthesis Via Activation of ERK1/2 in Rat Renal Fibroblasts

Recently, we demonstrated that in rats treated chronically with aldosterone and salt, severe tubulointerstitial fibrosis is associated with the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2). Here, we investigated whether aldosterone stimulates collagen synthesis via ERK1/2-dependent pathways in cultured rat renal fibroblasts. Gene expression of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and types I, II, III, and IV collagen was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MR protein expression and ERK1/2 activity were evaluated by Western blotting analysis with anti-MR and anti–phospho-ERK1/2 antibodies, respectively. Collagen synthesis was determined by [3H]-proline incorporation. Significant levels of MR mRNA and protein expression were observed in rat renal fibroblasts. Treatment with aldosterone (0.1 to 10 nmol/L) increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner with a peak at 5 minutes. Aldosterone (10 nmol/L) also increased the mRNA levels of types I, III, and IV collagen at 36 hours but had no effect on the type II collagen mRNA level. [3H]-proline incorporation was significantly increased by aldosterone in both the medium and cell layer at 48 hours. Aldosterone-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was markedly attenuated by pretreatment with eplerenone (10 &mgr;mol/L), a selective MR antagonist, or PD98059 (10 &mgr;mol/L), a specific inhibitor of MAPK kinase/ERK kinase, which is the upstream activator of ERK1/2. In addition, both eplerenone and PD98059 prevented the aldosterone-induced increases in types I, III, and IV collagen mRNA and [3H]-proline incorporation. These results suggest that aldosterone stimulates collagen gene expression and synthesis via MR-mediated ERK1/2 activation in renal fibroblasts, which may contribute to the progression of aldosterone-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis.
Use of film for community conservation education in primate habitat countries

Wildlife films have become an integral part of broadcast schedules in developed countries. As charismatic mammals, primates are frequently the focus of the wildlife filmmaker's attention. Yet the people watching these films tend to be situated on different continents from the species concerned. Communities in primate habitat countries are unlikely to ever have the opportunity to gain such an insight into the species with which they share their environment and the threats these species face. Over recent years, an increasing number of filmmakers are realizing the importance of reaching local audiences through film for conservation purposes. Published research on the impact films can have on eliciting conservation action in developed or developing countries is minimal. The perceived power of wildlife films to change attitudes and behaviors is largely based on anecdotal evidence. This commentary highlights the on‐going debate regarding the conservation impact of wildlife films, discusses the work of various NGOs that are using films for conservation purposes in habitat countries and makes recommendations with regards to the film type and situational context necessary to promote positive conservation behavior in communities. Bespoke conservation films convey a specific message to a specific audience at a particular point in time. If produced by trained local conservation educators, these films are likely to have the biggest impact. Films must be shown as a part of a conservation education program that incorporates other education materials and group discussion so that the desired conservation message can be clearly defined and reinforced. Audiences should not be made to feel disillusioned, depressed or vilified by the content of wildlife films. Rather films should increase support for conservation and empower people to act. Once enthusiasm for specific conservation actions has been created, practical assistance and follow‐up support is necessary to ensure ideas are implemented. Am. J. Primatol. 72:462–466, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
‘A vehicle of symbols and nothing more’. George Romanes, theory of mind, information, and Samuel Butler

Today’s ‘theory of mind’ (ToM) concept is rooted in the distinction of nineteenth-century philosopher William Clifford between ‘objects’ that can be directly perceived and ‘ejects’, such as the mind of another person, which are inferred from one’s subjective knowledge of one’s own mind. George Romanes, a founder with Charles Darwin of the discipline of comparative psychology, considered the minds of animals as ejects, an idea that could be generalized to ‘society as eject’ and, ultimately, ‘the world as an eject’ – mind in the universe. Yet, Romanes and Clifford only vaguely connected mind with the abstraction we call ‘information’, which needs ‘a vehicle of symbols’ – a material transporting medium. However, Samuel Butler was able to address, in informational terms depleted of theological trappings, both organic evolution and mind in the universe. This view harmonizes with insights arising from modern DNA research, the relative immortality of ‘selfish’ genes, and some startling recent developments in brain research.