Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relation between Mesophyll Surface Area, Photosynthetic Rate, and Illumination Level during Development for Leaves of Plectranthus parviflorus Henckel.

The influence of illumination level during leaf development on the mesophyll cell surface area per unit leaf area (A(mes)/A), CO(2) resistances, and the photosynthetic rate was determined for leaves of Plectranthus parviflorus Henckel. The relative importance of A(mes)/A versus CO(2) resistances in accounting for observed changes in photosynthesis was quantitatively evaluated using equations based on analogies to electrical circuits.When the illumination during development was raised from 900 to 42,000 lux, the leaves more than tripled in thickness as the mesophyll cells increased in size and frequency, which caused A(mes)/A to go from 11 to 50. The net rate of photosynthesis at light saturation concomitantly increased 4-fold, reflecting a corresponding decrease in the total resistance for CO(2) movement per unit leaf area. However, the CO(2) resistance per unit area of mesophyll cells remained about 580 seconds per centimeter for leaves grown under 900 to 42,000 lux. Thus, for P. parviflorus, the increased photosynthetic rate for leaves developing under higher illuminations resulted from a higher A(mes)/A, not from changes in the CO(2) resistances within individual mesophyll cells, expressed per unit area of cell surface. Results are discussed in terms of previously observed increases in thickness, internal leaf area, and photosynthetic rates for sun versus shade leaves on various plant species.
The viability of hamster spermatozoa stored in the isthmus of the oviduct: the importance of sperm-epithelium contact for sperm survival.

When hamsters mate shortly after the onset of estrus, spermatozoa are stored in the lower oviduct (isthmus) during the preovulatory period. The present study was performed to determine what proportion of the spermatozoa in the isthmus survive until fertilization. Females were mated 5 to 6.5 h before ovulation. When spermatozoa in the isthmus were observed through the wall of oviducts excised 2 h after the onset of mating, spermatozoa were seen free in the lumen, attached to the mucosal surface of the wall, and in crypts. The vast majority of spermatozoa in the lumen were immotile, whereas most of those attached to the mucosal surface of the wall and almost all of the those in the crypts exhibited flagellar movement. This suggested that attachment to the mucosa and/or storage in the crypts is beneficial to the survival of spermatozoa. Sequential flushing of an oviduct at various times (2-8 h) after mating was used to remove spermatozoa from the lumen (first flush), from the mucosal surface (second flush), and from the crypts (third flush). The highest number of spermatozoa was always contained in the first flush, the next highest in the second flush, and the smallest in the third flush. When Trypan blue was included in the flushing medium to differentiate live and dead spermatozoa, the first flush recovered the smallest percentage of liver spermatozoa (2-22%), the second flush slightly more (16-37%), and the third flush the highest (51-69%), regardless of the time after mating. These data indicate that the majority of spermatozoa stored in the hamster isthmus die before ovulation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A binary decision tree classifier implementing logistic regression as a feature selection and classification method and its comparison with maximum likelihood

This study deals with two different approaches to the classification of hyperspectral image data using a multiple stage classifier structured as a binary tree. One approach implements the Gaussian maximum likelihood (GML) decision function at each node of the tree and the second makes use of traditional binary logistic regression (LR). The results obtained by classification of AVIRIS images data are compared with single- stage classifiers.
Distress of Routine Activities and Perceived Safety Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress, Depression, and Alcohol Use: 2002 Washington, DC, Sniper Attacks

Abstract Objective For over 3 weeks in October 2002, a series of sniper attacks in the Washington, DC, area left 10 people dead and 3 wounded. This study examined the relationship of distress associated with routine activities and perceived safety to psychological and behavioral responses. Methods Participants were 1238 residents of the Washington, DC, metropolitan area (aged 18 to 90 years, mean=41.7 years) who completed an Internet survey including the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and items pertaining to distress related to routine activities, perceived safety, and alcohol use. Data were collected at one time point approximately 3 weeks after the first sniper shooting and before apprehension of the suspects. Relationships of distress and perceived safety to post-traumatic stress, depressive symptoms, and increased alcohol use were examined by using linear and logistic regression analyses. Results Approximately 8% of the participants met the symptom criteria for probable post-traumatic stress disorder, 22% reported mild to severe depression, and 4% reported increased alcohol use during the attacks. Distress related to routine activities and perceived safety were associated with increased post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms and alcohol use. Conclusion Distress and perceived safety are associated with specific routine activities and both contribute to psychological and behavioral responses during a terrorist attack. These findings have implications for targeted information dissemination and risk communication by community leaders. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:509–515)
Atypical Carcinoid Tumor of the Lung with Amyloid Stroma

Atypical carcinoid tumor of the lung with amyloid stroma seen in a 43 year old woman is reported. The 47·45·33 mm tumor, located at the periphery of the S8 segment of the resected left lower lobe, revealed Dylon‐positive amyloid deposition in the stroma. The argyrophilic tumor cells with occasional mitoses and focal venous involvement predominantly showed immunoreactivity of cytokeratin, neuron‐specific enolase, cystatin C, chromogranin A, calcitonin and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Fewer cells were im‐munoreactive for calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), the a subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin, gastrin releasing peptide, serotonin, methionine enkephalin and gastrin. Immunoreactive CGRP or NPY were co localized in calcitonin positive cells. The amyloid substance was positively labeled only for CGRP. Immunostaining for amylin, a polypeptide isolated from insular amyloid in type II diabetes mellitus or insulinoma showing a 50% homology with CGRP, was negative. The specificity of immunostaining for calcitonin, CGRP and amylin was confirmed by immunoabsorption tests using synthetic human antigens. Immunoelectron microscopic studies disclosed peptide localization in neurosecretory‐type granules and CGRP immunoreactivity in extracellular amyloid fibrils. This is the first report describing CGRP as a component of amyloid of endocrine origin. Acta Pathol Jpn 42: 286‐292, 1992.
Mathematics in Vocational Education: Revisiting a Developmental Research Project, Analysis of One Development Research Project about the Integration of Mathematics in Vocational Subjects in Upper Secondary Education in Sweden.

In this article we describe and discuss the analyses of a developmental research project that took place in Sweden during 1998 to 2002. We carried out four different analyses in order to explore the learning outcomes from the project that could inform long term curriculum change and teacher collaboration in vocational education in Sweden. The analyses led to condensed descriptions of the project, including an exposition of its constraints and affordances as well as its developmental cycles. Also revealed was a comparison between the aims of the project and the actual outcomes. Based on the analyses and discussions, we suggest possible implications for practice and for future studies on vocational education.
Synthesis of Potent Non‐imidazole Histamine H3‐Receptor Antagonists

Histamine has been converted into a non‐imidazole H3‐receptor histamine antagonist by addition of a 4‐phenylbutyl group at the Nα‐position followed by removal of the imidazole ring. The resulting compound, N‐ethyl‐N‐(4‐phenylbutyl)amine, remarkably has a Ki = 1.3 μM as an H3 antagonist. Using this as a lead compound, a novel series of homologous O and S isosteric tertiary amines was synthesised and structure‐activity studies furnished N‐(5‐phenoxypentyl)pyrrolidine (Ki = 0.18 ± 0.10 μM, for [3H]histamine release from rat cerebral cortex synaptosomes) which, more importantly, was active in vivo. Substitution of NO2 into the para position of the phenoxy group gave N‐(5‐p‐nitrophenoxypentyl)pyrrolidine, UCL 1972 (Ki = 39 ± 11 nM), ED50 = 1.1 ± 0.6 mg/kg per os in mice on brain tele‐methylhistamine levels.
Craniosynostosis associated with intracranial calcification: a novel recessive syndrome

We report three siblings who were variably affected by craniosynostosis, calcification of the basal ganglia, and mild facial dysmorphism comprising prominent eyes and a prominent nasal bridge. The children are of normal intelligence and have no limb abnormalities. Their parents are first cousins and are phenotypically normal. We propose that this combination of clinical findings represents a recognizable, autosomal recessive craniosynostosis syndrome.
Model based Blood Pressure estimation during exercise test using modified fuzzy function

Blood Pressure (BP) measurement during exercise test is of great importance. Due to the low accuracy of measuring BP using cuff and barometer during exercise and limitations in the continuous measurements because of the vessel crush, it will be of great advantage to obtain systolic and diastolic BP values in a cuff-less approach. This could be achieved by using extracted features and characteristics of ECG and PPG signals. BP is highly correlated with features such as PTT and HR. However, the correlation is not necessarily linear. It could be nonlinear, multimodal and vague. Therefore, the use of fuzzy function approach with the parameters used in physiological models as its inputs is proposed in this paper. Then, in order to improve the performance of fuzzy function to estimate BP, GK clustering method instead of the FCM and LS-SVM instead of LSE are used in order to produce the antecedent and consequent of the rules respectively. Comparing the results with the BP values which are estimated using NN, and fuzzy systems based on GD training and RLS, indicate better performance of modified fuzzy function with approximately zero mean error and less or almost equal to 8 mmHg as the value of STD in satisfying AAMI standard in systolic and diastolic BP estimation of all stages.
The Cognitive Content of Thought-Listed Worry Episodes in Clinic-Referred Anxious and Nonreferred Children

We investigated the cognitive content of worry in 8- to 13-year-old clinic-referred anxious (n = 38) and nonreferred (n = 51) children. The children were interviewed individually. They thought-listed their latest worry episodes, rated the uncontrollability of the episodes, and reported on the strategies they used to terminate worry. Content analyses showed that children's worry episodes contained predominantly thoughts reflecting negative outcome anticipation, but other types of thought content also were present. These included problem-solving, ruminating, and self-blaming thoughts. Compared to clinic-referred children, nonreferred children reported more problem solving and less ruminating. In the nonreferred group, increasing age was associated with more problem solving and less ruminating. No such age-related associations were found in the clinic-referred group. The 2 groups did not differ in the types of worry-termination strategies they reported, but clinic-referred children were more likely to keep worrying until the perceived threat was removed. The results suggest that the problem-solving function of worry is still emerging during late childhood and that developmental delays in problem solving may be associated with excessive and uncontrollable worrying.
Wavelet in conjunction with Neural Network method for speech enhancement quality evaluation

Wavelet Neural Network Evaluation method WNNEM is proposed as a powerful tool for enhanced speech signal evaluation. This objective evaluation measure utilizes Feed forward back Propagation Neural Network FFBNN to train the free of noise signal, and then enhanced signal is simulated to the training output results taken for given target. The distance between simulation and the target, over different wavelet sub bands is studied. Four known speech enhancement method for studying the performance of WNNEM are utilized. The advantage of this method is the evaluation of different band passes of frequency based on wavelet transform by neural network, which is very influential tool for non stationary signals processing. Several objective measures are used to investigate the WNNEM compatibility. Results proved the validity of the proposed method.
Exploring the joint effects of silicosis and smoking on lung cancer risks

Cigarette smoking and silicosis are potential causes of lung cancer among workers exposed to silica dust, but their joint effects are unclear. We explored the possible interactions between silicosis and smoking on lung cancer risks by summarizing data from the published literature. The standardized mortality ratio or standardized incidence ratio reported in each published report was first adjusted using “smoking adjustment factors” to correct for the biased estimation of the expected numbers of lung cancer among smokers and nonsmokers when using general population rates in the indirect standardization process. The ratio of the effect of silicosis on lung cancer risk among smokers to that among nonsmoker was calculated and named the “relative silicosis effect (RSE)”. The synergy index was estimated to assess the additive interaction. Metaanalyses were used to obtain the weighed means of the RSE and synergy index. Ten cohort studies were reviewed and combined to yield a weighed RSE of 0.29 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.42), indicating negative risk‐ratio multiplication between smoking and silicosis on the lung cancer risk. The combined weighed synergy index was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.79, 1.26), suggesting no departure from additivity. Sensitivity analyses showed that both estimates were quite robust. The independent risk‐ratio effect of silicosis on lung cancer in smokers was about 30% of that in nonsmokers, and the joint effects of smoking and silicosis on the risk of lung cancer did not deviate from additivity and hence did not support biological synergism/antagonism. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of the Bone-Specific Osteocalcin Gene by p300 Requires Runx2/Cbfa1 and the Vitamin D3 Receptor but Not p300 Intrinsic Histone Acetyltransferase Activity

ABSTRACT p300 is a multifunctional transcriptional coactivator that serves as an adapter for several transcription factors including nuclear steroid hormone receptors. p300 possesses an intrinsic histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity that may be critical for promoting steroid-dependent transcriptional activation. In osteoblastic cells, transcription of the bone-specific osteocalcin (OC) gene is principally regulated by the Runx2/Cbfa1 transcription factor and is stimulated in response to vitamin D3 via the vitamin D3 receptor complex. Therefore, we addressed p300 control of basal and vitamin D3-enhanced activity of the OC promoter. We find that transient overexpression of p300 results in a significant dose-dependent increase of both basal and vitamin D3-stimulated OC gene activity. This stimulatory effect requires intact Runx2/Cbfa1 binding sites and the vitamin D-responsive element. In addition, by coimmunoprecipitation, we show that the endogenous Runx2/Cbfa1 and p300 proteins are components of the same complexes within osteoblastic cells under physiological concentrations. We also demonstrate by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays that p300, Runx2/Cbfa1, and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor interact with the OC promoter in intact osteoblastic cells expressing this gene. The effect of p300 on the OC promoter is independent of its intrinsic HAT activity, as a HAT-deficient p300 mutant protein up-regulates expression and cooperates with P/CAF to the same extent as the wild-type p300. On the basis of these results, we propose that p300 interacts with key transcriptional regulators of the OC gene and bridges distal and proximal OC promoter sequences to facilitate responsiveness to vitamin D3.
Availability of polychlorinated biphenyls in field‐contaminated sediment

Two chemical approaches, Tenax extraction and matrix solid phase microextraction (matrix‐SPME), were evaluated as surrogates to estimate bioavailability of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from field‐contaminated sediment. Aroclor 1254 was the primary contaminant found in sediment from Crab Orchard Lake in Marion, Illinois, USA, and a total of 18 PCB congeners were selected for study. Bioaccumulation was determined by exposing the freshwater oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegatus, to the sediment for 28 d. Differences in the rapidly desorbing fraction of PCBs and fraction desorbed within 6 h, defined by Tenax extraction, accounted for 39 and 31% of the differences among biota‐sediment accumulation factor values, respectively. A better relationship (r2 = 0.95) was found between the oligochaete PCB body residues and the concentration of PCBs in the rapidly desorbing fraction of sediment. The degree of chlorination and planarity of the PCB congeners affected both desorption and bioaccumulation. The higher chlorine substituted and planar PCBs showed less chemical and biological availability, due to their stronger sorption to sediment, compared to the lower chlorinated and nonplanar PCBs. Accumulation of PCBs by L. variegatus correlated well (r2 = 0.88) with matrix‐SPME fiber concentrations. The ratio of measured body residue to estimated body residue from the pore water concentration measured by matrix‐SPME ranged from 0.4 to 1.3 with an average of 0.9. Overall, both Tenax and matrix‐SPME approaches were useful surrogates of bioaccumulation for a field‐contaminated sediment.
Optimization of the Business Processes via automatic integration with the Document Management System

In today's global business environment, the importance of customer service, cost-competitiveness, and quality are key factors in determining an organization's success, or undesirable failure. Organizations try to optimize their processes to maximize their profits and make the very process faster. Users usually work with documents in the process. Working with documents makes the process more slowly, since the documents are important to be scanned and attached to the form. This work presents the optimization of such processes. It is achieved by automatic integration of Business Process Management and Electronic Document Management Systems. Improvements and results achieved by proposed integration are presented in this research. The model that is created enables monitoring of defined Key Performance Indicators in the identification process of the bottlenecks in the process. The process can be optimized by increasing the number of resources on the activities that are a bottleneck in the process. Such a solution has been tested in the process of opening a bank account.
The c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase BifA regulates biofilm development in Pseudomonas putida.

We previously showed the isolation of biofilmpersistent Pseudomonas putida mutants that fail to undergo biofilm dispersal upon entry in stationary phase. Two such mutants were found to bear insertions in PP0914, encoding a GGDEF/EAL domain protein with high similarity to Pseudomon asaeruginosa BifA. Here we show the phenotypic characterization of a ΔbifA mutant in P. putida KT2442.This mutant displayed increased biofilm and pellicle formation, cell aggregation in liquid medium and decreased starvation-induced biofilm dispersal relative to the wild type. Unlike its P. aeruginosa counterpart, P. putida BifA did not affect swarming motility. The hyperadherent phenotype of the ΔbifA mutant correlates with a general increase in cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) levels, Congo Red-binding exopolyaccharide production and transcription of the adhesin-encoding lapA gene. Integrity of the EAL motif and a modified GGDEF motif (altered to GGDQF)were crucial for BifA activity, and c-di-GMP depletion by overexpression of a heterologous c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase in the ΔbifA mutant restored wild-type biofilm dispersal and lapA expression.Our results indicate that BifA is a phosphodiesterase involved in the regulation of the c-di-GMP pool and required for the generation of the low c-di-GMP signal that triggers starvation-induced biofilm dispersal.
LQG controller with a vibration compensator for the lateral positioning of an AFM scanner

This paper presents the design of an LQG controller for the lateral positioning of a piezoelectric tube actuator (PZT) used in an atomic force microscope (AFM). In the proposed control scheme, an internal model of the reference signal is included in the plant model and an integrator with the system error is introduced. As a result, it reduces the steady-state tracking error. A vibration compensator is also designed and included in a feed-back loop with the plant to suppress the vibration of the PZT at the resonance frequency. Consequently, the proposed controller achieves higher closed-loop bandwidth and significant damping of the resonant mode of the PZT, which enables the tracking of a reference triangular signal. Experimental results show the significant improvement of the scanned images as compared to the in-built PI controller of the AFM.
Optimal selection of cleaner products in a green supply chain with risk aversion

In this paper, we investigate the selection of cleaner products with the consideration of the tradeoff between risk and the return of players in two different of supply chain structures: a vertically integrated structure and a decentralized setting. In an integrated supply chain, the price of cleaner products is decided according to the maximum utility for the whole supply chain, while the retailer offers their price with respect to their own maximum utility in a decentralized setting. A numerical example of a green supply chain of household electrical appliances in China is presented to illustrate related issues. Finally, conclusions are drawn and some topics for future work are suggested.
Design of waveguide manifold multiplexers with dual-mode filters using distributed models

A novel multiplexer design technique which makes use of distributed models is proposed. For the first time, distributed models of dual mode filters are applied to the design of manifold multiplexers, with a large number of both contiguous or non-contiguous channels. After a brief review of the last advances in multiplexer design, the whole design process is described over a non-contiguous channel example. Finally, a contiguous channel case is presented.