Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Calcium-enhanced phosphorus toxicity in calcifuge and soil-indifferent Proteaceae along the Jurien Bay chronosequence.

Many Proteaceae are highly phosphorus (P)-sensitive and occur exclusively on old nutrient-impoverished acidic soils (calcifuge), whilst a few also occur on young calcareous soils (soil-indifferent) that are higher in available calcium (Ca) and P. Calcium increases the severity of P-toxicity symptoms, but its underlying mechanisms are unknown. We propose that Ca-enhanced P toxicity explains the calcifuge habit of most Proteaceae. Four calcifuge and four soil-indifferent Proteaceae from South-Western Australia were grown in hydroponics, at a range of P and Ca concentrations. Calcium increased the severity of P-toxicity symptoms in all species. Calcifuge Proteaceae were more sensitive to Ca-enhanced P toxicity than soil-indifferent ones. Calcifuges shared these traits: low leaf zinc concentration ([Zn]), low Zn allocation to leaves, low leaf [Zn]:[P], low root : shoot ratio, and high seed P content, compared with soil-indifferent species. This is the first demonstration of Ca-enhanced P toxicity across multiple species. Calcium-enhanced P toxicity provides an explanation for the calcifuge habit of most Proteaceae and is critical for the management of this iconic Australian family. This study represents a major advance towards an understanding of the physiological mechanisms of P toxicity and its role in the distribution of Proteaceae.
Vigilance and Automation Dependence in Operation of Multiple Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS): A Simulation Study

Objective: This simulation study investigated factors influencing sustained performance and fatigue during operation of multiple Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The study tested effects of time-on-task and automation reliability on accuracy in surveillance tasks and dependence on automation. It also investigated the role of trait and state individual difference factors. Background: Warm’s resource model of vigilance has been highly influential in human factors, but further tests of its applicability to complex, real-world tasks requiring sustained attention are necessary. Multi-UAS operation differs from standard vigilance paradigms in that the operator must switch attention between multiple subtasks, with support from automation. Method: 131 participants performed surveillance tasks requiring signal discrimination and symbol counting with a multi-UAS simulation configured to impose low cognitive demands, for 2 hr. Automation reliability was manipulated between-groups. Five Factor Model personality traits were measured prior to performance. Subjective states were assessed with the Dundee Stress State Questionnaire. Results: Performance accuracy on the more demanding surveillance task showed a vigilance decrement, especially when automation reliability was low. Dependence on automation on this task declined over time. State but not trait factors predicted performance. High distress was associated with poorer performance in more demanding task conditions. Conclusions: Vigilance decrement may be an operational issue for multi-UAS surveillance missions. Warm’s resource theory may require modification to incorporate changes in information processing and task strategy associated with multitasking in low-workload, fatiguing environments. Application: Interface design and operator evaluation for multi-UAS operations should address issues including motivation, stress, and sustaining attention to automation.
Rationale and design of Long-term Outcomes and Vascular Evaluation after Successful Coarctation of the Aorta Treatment study

Background: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) can be treated using surgery, balloon angioplasty, or stent implantation. Although short-term results are excellent with all three treatment modalities, long-term cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality remain high, likely due to persistently abnormal vascular function. The effects of treatment modality on long-term vascular function remain uncharacterized. The goal of this study is to assess vascular function in this patient population for comparison among the treatment modalities. Methods: We will prospectively assess vascular Afunction in large and small arteries fusing multiple noninvasive modalities and compare the results among the three groups of CoA patients previously treated using surgery, balloon angioplasty, or stent implantation after frequency matching for confounding variables. A comprehensive vascular function assessment protocol has been created to be used in 7 centers. Our primary outcome is arterial stiffness measured by arterial tonometry. Inclusion and exclusion criteria have been carefully established after consideration of several potential confounders. Sample size has been calculated for the primary outcome variable. Conclusion: Treatment modalities for CoA may have distinct impact on large and small arterial vascular function. The results of this study will help identify the treatment modality that is associated with the most optimal level of vascular function, which, in the long term, may reduce CV risk.
Use of plasma metabolomics to analyze phenotype-genotype relationships in young hypercholesterolemic females

Hypercholesterolemia is characterized by high plasma LDL cholesterol and often caused by genetic mutations in LDL receptor (LDLR), APOB, or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). However, a substantial proportion of hypercholesterolemic subjects do not have any mutations in these canonical genes, leaving the underlying pathobiology to be determined. In this study, we investigated to determine whether combining plasma metabolomics with genetic information increases insight in the biology of hypercholesterolemia. For this proof of concept study, we combined plasma metabolites from 119 hypercholesterolemic females with genetic information on the LDL canonical genes. Using hierarchical clustering, we identified four subtypes of hypercholesterolemia, which could be distinguished along two axes represented by triglyceride and large LDL particle concentration. Subjects with mutations in LDLR or APOB preferentially clustered together, suggesting that patients with defects in the LDLR pathway show a distinctive metabolomics profile. In conclusion, we show the potential of using metabolomics to segregate hypercholesterolemic subjects into different clusters, which may help in targeting genetic analysis.
Two TCF7L2 Variants Associated with Type 2 Diabetes in the Han Nationality Residents of China.

OBJECTIVE To determine the risk of type II diabetes (T2D) with two transcription factor 7-like 2 gene (TCF7L2) variants in the Han nationality population of Guangdong, China. STUDY DESIGN Case control study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY International School, Clinical Laboratory of Over-sea Chinese Hospital, Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, Jinan University, China, from July 2014 to June 2016. METHODOLOGY Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of gene TCF7L2 were genotyped by PCR amplification and sequencing of the specific DNA fragments, rs7903146 and rs12255372, by PCR amplification and sequencing of the specific DNA fragments in 339 T2D patients and 191 control subjects. Odds ratio was determined. RESULTS The minor allele of the two variants was significantly associated with T2D; the risk to develop T2D for rs7903146 (IVS3C >T) was found to be greater than that for rs12255372 (IVS4G >T), with allelic odds ratio (OR) of 1.39 and 1.27 respectively. Furthermore, T2D risk associated with homozygosity of the minor alleles was found to be greater than that for heterozygosity. CONCLUSION The two varients of the gene TCF7L2 are important genetic risk factors for the T2D development in the Han ethnic group in China.
Group Decision Support for Requirements Management Processes

Requests for proposal (RFP) trigger company-internal requirements management (RM) processes in order to assure that offers comply with a given set of customer requirements. As traditional RM approaches require a deep involvement of the requirements managers of a RM project especially when it comes to assigning suitable stakeholders to requirements, the quality of the decisions and the time effort for making correct decisions mainly depends on these experts. In this paper, we present a novel stakeholder assignment approach that reduces the overall involvement of these experts and also limits the uncertainty of overseeing suitable stakeholders at the same time. The assignment of responsible stakeholders is represented as a group decision task expressed in the form of a basic configuration problem. The outcome of such a task is a configuration which is represented in terms of an assignment of responsible stakeholders to corresponding requirements.
Text Transformation Via Constraints and Word Embedding

In order to provide resources for artistic communities and further the linguistic capabilities of computationally creative systems, we present a computational process for creative text transformation and evaluation. Its purpose is to help solve the fundamental problem posed by the ﬁeld of natural language generation, which is to computationally generate human-readable language. Our process entails the use of 1) vector word embedding to approximate meaning and 2) constraints to guide word replacement. We introduce intentions as objects that drive the generation of creative artefacts; a target theme, emotion, meter, or rhyme scheme may be represented via intention. Our implementation of this process, Lyrist , is oriented around poetry and song lyrics and successfully produces syntactically correct, human-voiced text. A preliminary evaluation suggests that our process successfully evokes human-recognizable sentiments and that even familiar texts are difﬁcult to recognize after undergoing transformation.
The Effects of Different Types of Antioxidants (Se, Vitamin E and Carotenoids) in Broiler Diets on the Growth Performance, Skin Pigmentation and Liver and Plasma Antioxidant Concentrations

This study investigated the effects of the addition of different antioxidants to broiler diets on their live performance, liver antioxidant composition and concentrations, immune response, and meat and skin color. A total of 945 three-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks of both genders were randomly allocated to one of nine dietary treatments (n=105), with three replicates 35 chicks per pen, as follows: T1: control (commercially available corn-and soybean-based broiler diet); T2: selenium (control+0.5 mg/kg Sel-PlexTMSe yeast); T3: vitamin E (control+200 mg/kg Kavimix-E-50 a-tocopherol acetate); T4: lutein (control+100 mg/kg 5% Lutein Beads XB); T5: lycopene (control+100 mg/kg 5% Lyco Beads XB);T6: canthaxanthin (control+25 mg/kg 10% Carophyll(r)Red);T7: apo-ester (control+25 mg/kg 10% Carophyll(r)Yellow); T8: lutein+zeaxanthin (control+25 mg/kg Xamacol(r)); and T9: b-carotene (control+100 mg/kg 10% Rovimix(r)). Feed (starter, grower, developer and finisher phases) and water were provided ad libitum for 42 days. Body weights, feed intake, feed conversion values and plasma carotene concentrations were recorded weekly, and liver antioxidant concentrations were recorded at the end of the experiment. Newcastle disease (LaSota) vaccination was performed on day 22. HI titers were measured on days 14, 21, 35 and 42 to determine the effects of the antioxidants on the immune system. The addition of selenium, vitamin E, and carotenoid supplements to the commercial broiler diet significantly increased antioxidant accumulation in the liver and the plasma. All antioxidants assessed significantly improved the immune response. Selenium and vitamin E supplementation also significantly improved total carotenoid concentrations in the plasma. The carotenoids enhanced skin and meat color. None of the supplements tested influenced growth (p>0.05).
A Process Model of the Formation of Spatial Presence Experiences

In order to bridge interdisciplinary differences in Presence research and to establish connections between Presence and “older” concepts of psychology and communication, a theoretical model of the formation of Spatial Presence is proposed. It is applicable to the exposure to different media and intended to unify the existing efforts to develop a theory of Presence. The model includes assumptions about attention allocation, mental models, and involvement, and considers the role of media factors and user characteristics as well, thus incorporating much previous work. It is argued that a commonly accepted model of Spatial Presence is the only solution to secure further progress within the international, interdisciplinary and multiple-paradigm community of Presence research.
The Effects of Depression and Rumination on False Memory

Depression increases the likelihood of cognitive deficits, including memory impairments, but the effect of depression on false memories is debated. The current study investigated whether depressive symptoms are associated with increased negative false memories because participants generalize negativity (mood-generalization), or with accurate memory for negative materials (mood-congruency). Furthermore, the previous literature has not determined whether effects of depression on memory are due to depressive symptoms per se, or co-occurring rumination, and whether working memory is susceptible to memory errors in the same way as episodic memory. Therefore, the current study differentiated rumination from core depressive symptoms on memory measures, and investigated deficits in working memory. Results indicated that the mood-congruency theory was most consistent for depression, while rumination may lead to mood-generalization. Depressive symptoms showed non-significant trends toward poor recall of studied material, fewer false memories, less false recognition of new negative material, and greater awareness of false memories. Rumination showed non-significant trends toward poor recall of studied material, greater false recognition of new negative material, and less awareness of false memories. There were no significant correlations between working memory and depressive symptoms or rumination. In conclusion, rumination may be partly responsible for driving certain memory impairments often seen in depression. The Effects of Depression and Rumination on False Memory 3
Posterolateral Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy with Partial Pediculotomy for the L1-L2 High-Grade Downward Migrated Disc Herniation

Percutaneous endoscopic discectomy (PED) is one of the most useful minimally invasive surgery for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) (1,2). Especially, high-grade migrated fragments are difficult to treat with the standard posterolateral PED (PLPED) technique (3,4). PED with a high-speed drill is a minimally invasive method of approaching the deep narrow lumbar space (5-8). This paper presents a successful case of PLPED with partial pediculotomy for a high-grade downward migrated fragment and discusses a hemostatic technique for severe bleeding.
A novel and efficient hybrid model of radio multipath-fading channels in indoor environments

Presents a novel and efficient hybrid model combining a two-dimensional (2-D) site-specific model and a statistical model to characterize multipath fading in indoor environments. The site-specific model describes the propagation effects of interior walls and building walls. The latter model characterizes the effect of scattering due to rough surface boundaries and/or randomly positioned scatterers such as furniture and personnel, which significantly affects small-scale fading. The hybrid model is computationally efficient since only the 2-D site-specific model is needed. In addition to accurately predicting mean field strength, the model can effectively quantify the relative mean contribution of diffused scattering with a factor r. The factor is also an effective index to quantify the cluttering strength of the propagation environment: 1) light-cluttering situation r/spl les/0.35 and 2) heavycluttering situation r/spl ges/0.65. Some blind tests validate the effectiveness of the model. A large amount of experimental data for 2.44-GHz radio at many different sites shows that a Nakagami distribution describes the fading distribution well.
Cognitive Impairment and Other Non-Motor Symptoms in Patients with Vascular Parkinsonism

Vascular parkinsonism (VP) is a rare cause of parkinsonism, however, it remains an important problem and need specific approach for diagnosis and therapy. Despite years of investigation in this field, there is no clarity in the definition and diagnosis criteria of VP. The modern concept of parkinsonian disorders declares the importance of non-motor symptoms in diagnosis and quality of life in patients. In this article, cognitive impairment and other non-motor symptoms of VP are considered.
The Cost of Capital in Markets with Opaque Intermediaries and the Risk-Structure of Interest Rates

The demand for cash balances of financial intermediaries that establish contractual liabilities with credit-sensitive customers is characterised. As stated by Merton, the success of the business activities of such firms crucially depends on their credit quality, and hence, they are obliged to rely on deposit insurance and capital cushions in order to assure that their promised payments are free of default. Unlike the Merton’s approach, the optimal guaranteeing contract is formulated in actuarial terms in this paper, because in this way the model can be extended to consider the situation of firms that can only hedge up to a limited extent. Within this framework, the equilibrium in the market determines the rate at which a unit of capital is exchange by a unit of risk, or, in other words, it determines the market price of risk. Episodes of liquidity crises are meaningful in this theoretical setting.
A Cross-Country Investigation of Corporate Governance and Corporate Sustainability Disclosure: A Signaling Theory Perspective

There is a dearth of research on corporate governance and total sustainability disclosure (economic, environmental, and social) in developing, particularly South Asian, countries. This is unique cross-country research on South Asian countries’ corporate governance elements and total sustainability disclosure practices. The study considers a set of insightful theories, namely, the signaling and agency theories of understanding the motives and drivers of sustainability reporting. Based on data from the Global Reporting Initiative database, the study analyzes Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. We have collected annual report and sustainability reports from the GRI database for the period between 2009 and 2016. Based on the signaling and agency theories, the study investigates how board and shareholding structures convey signals to the market and different stakeholders. Our empirical results find that total sustainability disclosure has a positive and significant relationship with foreign shareholding, institutional shareholding, board independence, and board size. On the other hand, we document that director shareholding is negatively but significantly associated with total sustainability disclosure. Therefore, we conclude that corporate governance elements have very strong influential power to send positive signals to the market that lead to reduced information asymmetry and ensuring honest signals from different stakeholders.
Composite Breeds To Use Heterosis and Breed Differences To Improve Efficiency of Beef Production In cooperation with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources , University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Gregory, K.E. , L.V. Cundiff, and R.M. Koch. 1999. Composite Breeds To Use Heterosis and Breed Differences To Improve Efficiency of Beef Production. U.S. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin No. 1875, 81 pp. This report is a summary of results from a long-term experiment of 15 years conducted with beef cattle at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. The study estimated the retention of heterosis for major bioeconomic traits in composite populations (established with contributions by four or five purebreeds) and evaluated the potential of using these composite populations to achieve and maintain optimum performance levels and to maintain high levels of heterosis. At least 13 scientific papers were published from this project, resulting in numerous conclusions, presented here. This publication will be of use to scientists, students, and extension specialists interested in beef cattle breeding and genetics; beef cattle breeders; and others with interests in the beef cattle industry.
ALLEOPATHIC EFFECT OF AROMATIC PLANTS : ROLE OF VOLATILE ESSENTIAL OILS Bali

Allelopathic interactions, mediated through chemicals released by one plant, affects the growth and development of other plants growing in the vicinity. A great diversity of plants including trees exhibit allelopathy and the chemicals involved in this process are known as allelochemicals. These allelochemicals are released from the plants through leachation, decomposition of fallen plant parts, root exudation or as volatile components from aromatic plants. Among different allelochemicals, essential oils are one of the major constituent of number of higher plants, and are obtained by the process of steam distillation. The volatile and aromatic nature of essential oils helps in attracting pollinators, plantplant signaling and tritrophic interactions. Essential oils are being investigated for their phytotoxic effect so that they can be used as potential herbicides.
Evaluation of a Preventive Effect of a Lotion on the Formation of Stretch Marks. Quantification of Contractile Forces Developed by Fibroblasts from Early Stretch Marks (Red Color) and from Healthy Surrounding Skin Using GlasBoxPlus Device

Stretch marks are cutaneous lesions occurring frequently in weight gain during puberty and early adult life. Previous studies showed that highest contractile forces were developed by fibroblasts from early stretch marks (SMF) compared to those developed by fibroblasts from normal healthy skin (HF) of the same patient. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a possible preventive effect of a topical preparation (containing vitamins C and E and botanical extracts including natural extract of Calendula, Aloe Vera and Evening Primrose Oil) on the formation of stretch marks using GlasboxPlus® device. In the presence of the tested mixture, a significant overall decrease in contractile forces of SMF was noted for 24 hours of measurements compared to control SMF and made it possible to restore their capacity to the same level as HF indicating a possible preventive effect of the tested mixture. The synergistic effects of these components are certainly responsible for the decrease in contractile forces of early stretch marks fibroblasts.
Power System Transient Stability Analysis Using ETAP Software

Power-system stability is a term applied to alternating-current electric power systems, denotin g a condition in which the various synchronous machines of the system remain in synchronism, or "in step," with each other. Conv ersely, instability denotes a condition involving loss of synchronism, or falling "out of step". Occurrence of a fault in a p ower system causes transients. To stabilize the system load flow analysis is done. Actually in practice the fault generally occu rs in the load side. As we controlling load side which will lead t o complex problem in order to avoid that we are controlling t he generator side. This paper covers the transient stability ana lysis of 400 kV substation of Soja. A three phase fault is located at specified bus to analyze the effect of fault location in critical clearing time on the system stability.