Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ASSESSMENT OF MOLECULAR GENETIC STABILITY BETWEEN LONG-TERM CRYOPRESERVED AND TISSUE CULTURED WASABI (Wasabia japonica) PLANTS.

BACKGROUND Maintaining the genetic integrity in long-term tissue cultured and cryopreserved plants is important for the conservation of plant genetic resources. OBJECTIVE In this study, the genetic stability of cryopreserved wasabi shoot tips stored for 10 years at -150 degree C was visualized using Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included plants derived from cryopreserved shoot tips after 10.5 years storage at -150 degree C (LN10yr), after 2 h storage at -196 degree C (LN2hr), cryopreservation controls (No LN cooling (TC)) and non-treated controls without LN cooling (LC). The donor plants for LN2hr, TC and LC were also maintained in vitro at 20 degree C for the same period. RESULTS Neither technique detected genetic variations in either control or cryopreserved plants. Some mutations were noted in plants maintained in tissue culture for 10 years. Comparison of genome stability for TC and LN2hr plants showed only a minor change in DNA. However, when comparing the LC and Ln10yr, many differences were found. CONCLUSION We conclude that cryopreservation is a superior conservation method compared to tissue culture in maintaining genetic stability for a long-term storage of wasabi germplasm.
Fast retransmit for flooding-based routing in underwater wireless sensor networks

In underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs), flooding-based routing protocols are preferred for reducing routing overhead. In addition to routing, a transport protocol should operate to provide the end-to-end reliability in USWNs. Fortunately, the Fast Retransmit technique can be exploited for fast retransmissions of lost DATA segments. However, if it operates over the flooding-based routing protocols, each source node will receive multiple copies of ACKs which are transmitted along different paths. Since the source node cannot distinguish between these multiple copies of ACK segments and real duplicate ACK segments (defined as an ACK indiscretion problem in this paper), unnecessary retransmissions are performed. In this paper, we therefore propose a new Fast Retransmit technique to address the ACK indiscretion problem. In our proposed technique, the sink records a new count number into a header, informing how many duplicate ACK segments have been transmitted from the sink. The source nodes becomes aware of the number of duplicate ACK segments transmitted from the sink and can perform the Fast Retransmit correctly.
Variability of reverse transcriptase and overlapping S gene in hepatitis B virus isolates from untreated and lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B patients

Background The high degree of diversity of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) quasispecies in chronically infected individuals raises the possibility that HBV genetic variants favouring resistance to nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (NAs) might pre-exist to treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variability of the entire HBV reverse transcriptase (RT) domain and of the overlapping S gene in a large series of untreated hepatitis B surface antigen carriers and in lamivudine (3TC)-resistant patients. Methods Sequencing analysis of the entire HBV RT domain of isolates from 100 untreated (treatment- naive group) and 59 3TC-resistant (3TC-resistant group) consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B was performed. Results In the treatment-naive group, primary mutations known to cause resistance to NAs were not detected, but variably combined secondary/compensatory mutations were found in 46 (46%) patients. Moreover, four patients carried mutations that modified the S protein antigenicity. In the 3TC-resistant group, besides the primary 3TC-resistant mutations, various combinations of primary and secondary mutations conferring resistance to other NAs were detected in 41/59 (69.5%) patients. Importantly, the RT mutations induced by 3TC provoked stop codons in the overlapping S gene in two patients and modified the S protein antigenicity in another nine. Conclusions This study shows that HBV mutants associated with resistance to NAs might already be present as the major infecting population in untreated patients, and that variants emerging under 3TC might also carry mutations favouring resistance to other NAs and/or potentially altering the S protein immunoreactivity.
Effect of exercise on erythrocyte beta-adrenergic receptors and plasma concentrations of catecholamines and thyroid hormones in Thoroughbred horses.

The effects of exercise stress on erythrocyte beta-adrenergic receptor characteristics and plasma concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline and thyroid hormones were studied in Thoroughbred racehorses during rest and after exercise. Five minutes after a maximal speed race of 1200 +/- 200 m (mean +/- s.d.), both plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline concentrations increased with respect to basal values (from 2.48 +/- 0.15 to 3.83 +/- 0.27 and from 2.13 +/- 0.11 to 3.53 +/- 0.27 nmol/l respectively). The increment of adrenaline was greater in high performance (HP) as compared to low performance (LP) horses (76.9 vs. 43.5%), in accordance with the contribution of the adrenal medulla in the sympathoadrenal response to exercise. Triiodothyronine (T3), but not thyroxine (T4) levels increased 5 min after exercise (from 55.6 +/- 2.9 to 81 +/- 3.7 ng/dl and from 0.67 +/- 0.04 to 0.70 +/- 0.05 micrograms/dl respectively). No differences were observed in basal values of thyroid hormones or in the percentage of T3 increment, when comparing HP vs. LP horses. Erythrocyte membranes obtained 5 min after racing showed decreased concentrations of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-AR) and dissociation constant as compared to basal values (50.1 +/- 7.0 vs. 95.7 +/- 12.0 fmol/mg protein and 0.97 +/- 0.24 vs. 2.04 +/- 0.3 nmol/l respectively). This temporal pattern suggest that the observed changes in beta-AR characteristics could be mediated by catecholamines, but not by thyroid hormones, in this model. This down regulation of beta-AR may act as a protecting mechanism preventing the erythrocytes from the decrease in membrane fluidity known to be provoked by adrenergic agonists. The accomplished study showed that, in the Thoroughbred horse, there is a homeostatic response to race stress, characterised by a sudden increase in plasma catecholamines and T3 and a parallel decrease in beta-AR concentration on the erythrocyte membrane. In this way the racing horse could rapidly adjust its metabolism to the exercise stress, but at the same time override one possible undesirable side-effect caused by these hormonal changes. Further studies will be required to establish performance-related differences occurring in endocrine changes.
Half-mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW) directional filter with complementary split ring resonator (CSRR)

A novel directional filter based on half-mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW) technology is presented in this paper. The directional filter consists of two identical HMSIW bandpass filters (BPFs) and two identical 3-dB couplers. The HMSIW BPFs were realized by etching complementary split ring resonators (CSRRs) on the top plane of HMSIW. The proposed directional filter was designed, fabricated and measured at K-band. The measurement results are obtained and agree with the simulation results.
Impaired Transendothelial Migration of B-CLL Lymphocytes: a Defect Linked to Low L-Selectin Expression

The emigration of lymphocytes from blood into lymph nodes is regulated by the expression of the adhesion molecule, L-selectin on the lymphocyte surface which arrests the rolling of the cell on the vessel wall and allows firmer adhesive interactions to develop. The expression of L-selectin on B-CLL lymphocytes is less than half that on normal lymphocytes and this difference correlates with an impaired capacity of B-CLL lymphocytes to migrate beneath a monolayer of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Both the B-cell and T-cell lymphocytes from normal subjects and B-CLL patients show down-regulation of L-selectin and CD23 after transendothelial migration. The reduced expression of L-selectin on B-CLL lymphocytes leads to a relative “trapping” of these cells in the vascular space and is one factor contributing to the elevation of peripheral lymphocyte count.
Isobutyramide therapy in patients with sickle cell anemia

We have administered Isobutyramide as a suspension over a period of 3 months, from a starting dose of 50 mg/kg/day up to 150 mg/kg/day, to four adult sickle cell (SS) anemia patients. The maximum dose was maintained for 3 weeks. The blood counts remained stable and the Hb F levels decreased slightly. The Gγ levels increased at the end of the trial, suggesting activation of the Gγ gene at the highest dose of Isobutyramide. Three patients showed a stable rate of hemolysis, while in one patient, an increase of lactate dehydrogenase occurred. None of the patients experienced pain crisis or organ‐specific crisis, but all four complained about mild epigastric burning and a bitter taste. After the first month of treatment one patient complained about intolerable epigastric discomfort which was relieved by Omeprazole. Another patient complained about increasing dyspepsia in the 12th week leading to the termination of the trial. Oral Isobutyramide administration does not qualify as an effective treatment of SS patients. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Determinants of Investment Flows: Retail versus Institutional Mutual Funds

This paper compares the fund selection criteria used by investors in retail mutual funds with the criteria of investors in institutional mutual funds. We find that, compared with investors of retail mutual funds, clients of institutional mutual funds use more quantitatively sophisticated criteria such as risk-adjusted return measures and tracking error, demonstrate stronger momentum-driven and herding behaviors, and are less sensitive to fund expense ratio. In addition, we provide evidence that the previously-documented convex form of the flow-performance relationship is driven mostly by retail funds. Finally, we find that flow patterns of both fund types vary across the business cycle.
Logistics management of late product individualisation – application in the automotive industry

Global markets and the increasing demand of customers for individual products lead to a steady rise of product variants. Especially high quality goods on highly competitive markets like automobiles must meet customer's demands. The opportunity to configure a car according to ones' preferences leads to an unmanageable number of variants. Manufacturers' strategies to handle this problem reduce the offered component-combinations, but barely succeed in reducing the production-complexity. The approach of the late product individualisation (LPI) meets this problem. The complexity of the production is reduced without limiting the customer's choice to a small number of variants. The production process is relieved from customisation activities while these operations are relocated to further processes of the supply chain. The approach of LPI will be described and how it causes new challenges for the supply chain. Analytic instruments are presented which help to detect reasonable components of a product that should be individualised.
Asymmetry and human facial attractiveness: symmetry may not always be beautiful

It has been postulated that levels of fluctuating asymmetry in human faces may be negatively related to components of fitness such as parasite-resistance; hence potential mates with low levels of asymmetry may appear more attractive. However, previous investigations of the relationship between asymmetry and facial attractiveness have confounded manipulations of asymmetry with facial ‘averageness’ and mean trait size. In this experiment we performed a manipulation that altered asymmetry within a face without altering the mean size of facial features. These faces were then rated on attractiveness. Contrary to what was predicted, faces that were made more symmetrical were perceived as being less attractive. These results do not support the hypothesis that attractiveness is related to low levels of fluctuating asymmetry. The observed positive relationship between asymmetry and facial attractiveness may be because certain facial features (including those contributing to attractiveness) in fact show directional asymmetry or antisymmetry. Our manipulations thus render naturally asymmetric features symmetrical. This may make symmetric faces less attractive because of the reduction of natural directional asymmetries, perhaps making the faces appear unemotional. The role of fluctuating asymmetries alone in assessments of facial beauty is still unknown, although this experiment suggests fluctuating asymmetry is relatively unimportant compared with directional asymmetry.
Bank regulation in a post-financial crisis landscape : essays of the interaction between financial institutions

s 5 Chapter 1. Size and support ratings of U.S. banks 7 Introduction . 7 Related literature . 8 Methodology . 10 Data description and analysis . 11 Results . 12 Sensitivity analysis . 13 Conclusion . 13 References . 15 Appendix . 25 Chapter 2. Bailouts and Moral Hazard: How Implicit Government Guarantees Affect Financial Stability 27 Introduction . 27 Data . 29 Models . 30 Results Benchmark . 31 Results Governance . 35 Results Peer effects . 36 Conclusion . 37 References . 42 Chapter 3. Between Capture and Discretion The Determinants of Distressed Bank Treatment and Expected Government Support 59 Introduction . 59 Motivation, related literature, and contribution . 60 Dataset and methodology . 63 Variable definitions and summary statistics . 65 Sources of influence and regulatory treatment of distressed banks . 68 Sources of influence and expected government support . 75 Conclusion . 77 References . 82 Appendix . 105 Chapter 4. Bank Lobbying in the U.S. 107 Introduction . 107 Data on lobbying in the U.S financial industry . 108 Descriptive analysis . 108 Empirical analysis . 110 Results . 111
A Taxonomy of Newspapers based on Multi-Platform and Paid Content Strategies: Evidences from Spain

This article examines Spanish newspapers’ means of digital distribution and their adoption of paid content strategies. To that end, the article employs a quantitative, explorative approach with data collected from 88 Spanish newspapers in November 2012. Using a hierarchical cluster analysis four types of newspapers can be differentiated by their utilization of specific means of digital distribution of content. The four distinct clusters differ in their organizational background and their average net circulation. The results of the article highlight the increasing role of digital kiosks for digital distribution in Spain and indicate a high influence of publishing groups on paid content strategies.
The pain experience and sociocultural factors.

Cultural factors related to the pain experience include pain expression, pain language, lay remedies for pain, social roles, and expectations and perceptions of the medical care system. " 5,9 The extent to which culture can influence pain perception and response depends in part on the degree to which individuals identify with their ethnic or cultural group. 5,9 Culture can in turn influence the request for medications or treatments to assist in ameliorating the pain. 10
Inhibition of mitochondrial ATP generation by nitric oxide switches apoptosis to necrosis.

Under pathological conditions, the mode of cell death, apoptosis or necrosis, is relevant for the subsequent fate of the tissue. Cell demise may be shaped by endogenous mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) which interfere with subroutines of the death program. Here we show that apoptosis of Jurkat cells elicited by either staurosporine (STS) or anti-CD95 antibodies in glucose-free medium is converted to necrosis by NO donors. In the presence of NO, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c was delayed and activation of execution caspases was prevented. Stimulated cells died nonetheless. The switch in the mode of cell death was due to NO-dependent failure of mitochondrial energy production. Restoration of intracellular ATP by glucose supplementation recovered the cells' ability to activate caspases and undergo apoptosis. In this system, the apoptosis/necrosis conversion promoted by NO was not mediated by cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent mechanisms, poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) activation, or inhibition of caspases due to S-nitrosylation and glutathione depletion. In contrast, depleting intracellular ATP with rotenone, an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I mimicked the effect of NO. The findings presented here suggest that NO can decide the shape of cell death by lowering intracellular ATP below the level required to allow the coordinated execution of apoptosis.
Heterogeneous nuclear RNP protein A1‐arginine methylation during HCT‐48 cell cycle

Protein methylase I (protein‐arginine N‐methyltransferase) was examined in HCT‐48 cells, synchronized by serum deprivation and hydroxyurea treatment. The enzyme activity to methylate the added hnRNP protein A1 increased about 2‐fold from G0 to S phase, and then decreased during G2/M phase. The enzymatically [methyl‐3H]‐labeled hnRNP protein A1 was identified by SDS‐PAGE/fluorography, and the products were identified as NG‐monomethylarginine and NG,NG‐dimethyl‐(asymmetric)arginines by HPLC. Among endogenous proteins, the 20‐kDa species in the extract was most intensely [methyl‐3H]‐labeled. This 20‐kDa methylation was markedly inhibited by the addition of exogenous hnRNP protein A1, indicating that these two substrates compete for the same protein methylase. The possible role of this post‐translational modification has been discussed.
Enabling technologies for matrix converters in aerospace applications

The matrix converter is a direct AC-AC power converter topology that does not contain an intermediate DC-link stage. This paper presents different enabling technologies to enhance the suitability of the matrix converter topology for aerospace applications. The use of silicon carbide power devices to improve efficiency and reduce system weight together with an improved, high speed fault detection technique are presented. Results from different prototype matrix converters to validate the concepts are also presented.
Nicknames, Teasing, Harassment and the Salience of Dental Features among School Children

The aim of the study was to explore the extent to which deviant dental features may expose children to ridicule and embarrassment. In the first part of the study, 531 school children were interviewed about their experience of nicknaming, teasing and harassment and it appeared that for teasing in particular, dental features could provide a significant target for abuse. The findings were also related to a teacher's brief assessment of the child's personality. In the second part of the investigation, the salience of dental features to children was examined by asking 82 children to respond to a cine film showing 12 children's faces and it appeared that in general, the more deviant the dental arrangement, the more salient will it be. In discussion however, it is considered that many other characteristics of an individual child will influence not only the abuse which he may attract but also the nature of his response.
Using the Delphi Technique to Predict Future Tourism Potential

The South African tourism industry is expected to develop substantially over the next five years owing to anticipated high tourism market growth rates. However, tourism demand is subject to a host of uncontrollable factors which are difficult to measure and project. Despite this fact the tourism industry of a country, including both private sector and public sector operators, needs scientifically accepted projection bases to make investment and other strategic decisions. Aims to convey the results and recommendations of an empirical study based on the Delphi research model and to indicate the implications thereof for future national tourism strategies of South Africa. The approach, methodology and techniques used in the research are relevant to researchers internationally and the recommendations are useful for national tourism policy and strategy formulation in any geographical context.
On luminance reduction in high dynamic range synthetic aperture radar images

High dynamic range images enable more detailed information regarding the content. By performing luminance compression, images can be prepared for the traditional low dynamic range reproduction. There are numerous ways to perform the compression (tone-mapping), but the content may affect the image quality. The reduction of dynamic range may produce unwanted effects (e.g. due to noise) and can be tailored for specific image content. In this paper we analyze several examples related to synthetic aperture radar (SAR) as images with high dynamic range.
Semi-supervised Learning on Hypergraphs : Comparing and Exploring Interim Report

Graph based learning is one of the most significant fields in semi-supervised learning. The existing methods mainly focus on objects with pairwise relationships, which can be illustrated as normal graphs. However, relationships among objects are always too complex for normal graphs to summarize. Based on the fact, hypergraph learning methods have become increasingly significant. Among the related methods, Hubert Chan provides us an effective approach based on directed hypergraph which is easier to understand compared to Hein’s method, but whether it can provide a result of higher accuracy, less time and space complexity in multiple cases remains to be examined.The purpose of this project is to verify the above questions by implementing and comparing these two existing methods. Finally, an improved method will be proposed in both programming and mathematical ways. Currently, a number of previous papers related to these two methods have been studied, datasets have been selected for both examining the consistency of the implementation as well as testing. Besides, preliminary version of Python implementation of both methods have been completed. Moreover, a detailed experiment procedure has been designed and a number of comparison results has been plotted through experiments. In the next semester, research of our own approach will be pursued.
The Hyperlocal In Practice

Local reporting has become an endangered occupation. Print publications merge, close down or face budget cuts because audiences and advertisers move online. The result is that fewer journalists are covering local affairs. Online models could be expected to assume the role of traditional print and broadcast media as they are more flexible and cheaper to operate, especially in terms of production and distribution. In the Netherlands, we identified 123 hyperlocal news websites. We explored how they organized their business, how they were geographically distributed, what sources of revenues they relied on, and what their editorial strategy was. Data were gathered through content analyses of websites and interviews with owners. Results indicate that models are diverse, ranging from fully staffed operations to home-operated websites. Editorial and economic foci differ substantially. Offering local content is not the biggest problem. Many sites, however, underperform in terms of organization and revenues. Maintaining a site seems to be a bigger issue than launching it.