Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Primary and Secondary Sources to Organic Aerosol and PM2.5 at SEARCH Network Sites

Abstract Chemical tracer methods for determining contributions to primary organic aerosol (POA) are fairly well established, whereas similar techniques for secondary organic aerosol (SOA), inherently complicated by time-dependent atmospheric processes, are only beginning to be studied. Laboratory chamber experiments provide insights into the precursors of SOA, but field data must be used to test the approaches. This study investigates primary and secondary sources of organic carbon (OC) and determines their mass contribution to particulate matter 2.5 µm or less in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) in Southeastern Aerosol Research and Characterization (SEARCH) network samples. Filter samples were taken during 20 24-hr periods between May and August 2005 at SEARCH sites in Atlanta, GA (JST); Birmingham, AL (BHM); Centerville, AL (CTR); and Pensacola, FL (PNS) and analyzed for organic tracers by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Contribution to primary OC was made using a chemical mass balance method and to secondary OC using a mass fraction method. Aerosol masses were reconstructed from the contributions of POA, SOA, elemental carbon, inorganic ions (sulfate [SO4 2−], nitrate [NO3 −], ammonium [NH4 +]), metals, and metal oxides and compared with the measured PM2.5. From the analysis, OC contributions from seven primary sources and four secondary sources were determined. The major primary sources of carbon were from wood combustion, diesel and gasoline exhaust, and meat cooking; major secondary sources were from isoprene and monoterpenes with minor contributions from toluene and β-caryophyllene SOA. Mass concentrations at the four sites were determined using source-specific organic mass (OM)-to-OC ratios and gave values in the range of 12–42 µg m−3. Reconstructed masses at three of the sites (JST, CTR, PNS) ranged from 87 to 91% of the measured PM2.5 mass. The reconstructed mass at the BHM site exceeded the measured mass by approximately 25%. The difference between the reconstructed and measured PM2.5 mass for nonindustrial areas is consistent with not including aerosol liquid water or other sources of organic aerosol.
Single-conductor strip higher order mode broadband leaky-wave antenna

The leaky modes on various printed-circuit lines, such as microstrip line, slot line, strip line, coplanar waveguide, coplanar strips, have motivated considerable interest because excitation of these leaky modes may result in undesirable spurious performance. Most of these open planar printed-circuit lines exhibit interesting radiation behavior due to the power leakage and are used as leaky-wave antennas based on space-wave leakage of the higher order modes. But, in general, the leaky wave radiation bandwidth for planar printed-circuit transmission lines is about 20% and is limited by the dielectric constant of the substrate and by the bandwidth of the feeding network. For wireless communication applications, broadband leaky-wave antennas, such as tapered microstrip antenna and single-conductor strip antenna, have been proposed. The authors present the higher order space-wave modes of the single-conductor strip structure. The integral equation method in the spectral domain and the method of moments (MoM) are applied to analyze this structure. Finally, a broadband feeding structure is proposed to excite the EH/sub 02/ space-wave mode. The measured data exhibit the broadband nature of the radiation characteristics of this structure.
Otic placode cell specification and proliferation are regulated by Notch signaling in avian development

Background: The entire inner ear including the cochlear‐vestibular ganglion arises from a simple epithelium, the otic placode. Precursors for the placode originate from a pool of progenitors located in ectoderm next to the future hindbrain, the pre‐otic field, where they are intermingled with future epibranchial and epidermal cells. While the importance of secreted proteins, such as FGFs and Wnts, in imparting otic identity has been well studied, how precursors for these different fates segregate locally is less well understood. Results: (1) The Notch ligand Delta1 and the Notch target Hes5‐2 are expressed in a part of pre‐otic field before otic commitment, indicative of active Notch signaling, and this is confirmed using a Notch reporter. (2) Loss and gain‐of‐function approaches reveal that Notch signaling regulates both proliferation and specification of pre‐otic progenitors. Conclusions: Our results identify a novel function of Notch signaling in cell fate determination in the pre‐otic field of avian embryos. Developmental Dynamics 244:839–851, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Deformable and Occluded Object Tracking via Graph Learning

Object deformation and occlusion are ubiquitous problems for visual tracking. Though many efforts have been made to handle object deformation and occlusion, most existing tracking algorithms fail in case of large deformation and severe occlusion. In this paper, we propose a graph learning-based tracking framework to handle both challenges. For each consecutive frame pair, we construct a weighted graph, in which the nodes are the local parts of both frames. Our algorithm optimizes the graph similarity matrix until two disconnected subgraphs separate the foreground and background nodes. We assign foreground/background labels to the current frame nodes based on the learned graph and estimate the object bounding box under an optimization framework with the predicted foreground parts. Experimental results on the Deform-SOT dataset shows that the proposed method achieves the state-of-the-art performance.
Identification of genes that are associated with DNA repeats in prokaryotes

Using in silico analysis we studied a novel family of repetitive DNA sequences that is present among both domains of the prokaryotes (Archaea and Bacteria), but absent from eukaryotes or viruses. This family is characterized by direct repeats, varying in size from 21 to 37 bp, interspaced by similarly sized non‐repetitive sequences. To appreciate their characteri‐stic structure, we will refer to this family as the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR). In most species with two or more CRISPR loci, these loci were flanked on one side by a common leader sequence of 300–500 b. The direct repeats and the leader sequences were conserved within a species, but dissimilar between species. The presence of multiple chromosomal CRISPR loci suggests that CRISPRs are mobile elements. Four CRISPR‐associated (cas) genes were identified in CRISPR‐containing prokaryotes that were absent from CRISPR‐negative prokaryotes. The cas genes were invariably located adjacent to a CRISPR locus, indicating that the cas genes and CRISPR loci have a functional relationship. The cas3 gene showed motifs characteristic for helicases of the superfamily 2, and the cas4 gene showed motifs of the RecB family of exonucleases, suggesting that these genes are involved in DNA metabolism or gene expression. The spatial coherence of CRISPR and cas genes may stimulate new research on the genesis and biological role of these repeats and genes.
Cryo‐section immunolabelling of difficult to preserve specimens: advantages of cryofixation, freeze‐substitution and rehydration

Background information. Electron microscopic immunolabelling of ultrathin thawed cryo‐sections, according to the method of Tokuyasu, is widely used as a very sensitive high‐resolution localization technique. Its main advantages are that antigens remain in a hydrated environment prior to immunolabelling, and that antigen accessibility is improved compared with resin section labelling. However, the quality of structural appearance and antigenicity depends highly on the limitations of the initial conventional chemical fixation step, such as slow diffusion and selective reaction/cross‐linking of fixative molecules.
Designing Phenotyping Studies for Genetically Engineered Mice

A phenotyping study records physiologic or morphologic changes in an experimental animal resulting from an intervention. In mice, this intervention is most frequently genetic, but it may be any type of experimental manipulation. Accurate representation of the human condition under study is essential if the model is to yield useful conclusions. In this review, general approaches to the design of phenotyping studies are considered. These approaches take into account major sources of reduced model validity, such as unexpected phenotypic variation in mice, evolutionary divergence between mice and humans, unanticipated sources of variation, and common design errors. As poor design is the most common reason why studies fail to yield enduring results, emphasis is placed on reduction of bias, sampling, controlled study design, and appropriate statistical analysis.
Adults with intellectual disability: a mixed-methods investigation of their experiences of dental treatment under general anaesthetic.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to explore the experiences of dental care under general anaesthesia in adults with an intellectual disability. METHODS The study used an explanatory mixed-methods design. In the initial quantitative phase of the study, a clinical audit of oral health services provided for adults with intellectual disabilities was carried out for individuals who underwent a general anaesthetic (GA) for dental treatment at Christchurch Hospital during a 5-year period. In a qualitative second phase, fifteen semi-structured interviews were carried out for 13 individuals with an intellectual disability to investigate the experience and perceptions of individuals with an intellectual disability (and caregivers and guardians) relating to their oral health care. RESULTS The majority of the treated patients lived in care, and many had severe medical problems. Most had both restorative treatment and tooth extractions carried out under GA. Their major concern was anxiety associated with the dental visits. Support people/ guardians shared this concern, and played a vital role in helping to manage this anxiety. Many of the latter had difficulty identifying dental problems in their charges, and they often relied on detection of changes in the individual's behaviour or demeanour. The time spent waiting in waiting rooms for treatment was a frequently reported cause of stress. CONCLUSIONS As a group, these individuals present challenges for the provision of oral health care, given their severe disability and medical conditions, and many require a high level of support for daily activities. When dental treatment is required, a GA is often necessary in order to carry it out. The management of anxiety was a key issue for the patient group and support people play a vital role in helping to manage this anxiety, and achieve a successful visit. There is potential to improve the service with a multidisciplinary approach to coordinate other health services during treatment episodes, reduced time spent in waiting rooms, and improved waiting room layout.
The Value of Scattered Information

We analyze a model in which a security’s value is composed of several distinct pieces and private information about those pieces is scattered among the investor population. Surprisingly, as information is scattered into smaller distinctly informative pieces, even if the acquisition cost per piece does not decrease, endogenous information acquisition activity in the economy can increase, alleviating information free-riding in financial markets. This relationship holds despite the naturally decreasing informativeness of each piece. Our findings offer a new explanation for empirical facts associated with the “diversification discount” puzzle and new insights on information markets with an information monopolist.
Dietary fat decreases intestinal levels of the anorectic lipids through a fat sensor

This study was undertaken to investigate the link between dietary fat content and intestinal levels of anorectic AŁacylethanolamines (NAEs), including oleoyleth‐anolamide (OEA), palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), and lino‐leoylethanolamide (LEA). Male rats were fed high‐fat diets (HFDs) with variable percentages of fat [20–45% of total energy (E%)] for 1–7 d;afterward, the jejunums were isolated, and jejunal NAE levels were measured by liquid‐chromatography mass spectrometry. Enzyme activities and mRNA expression levels were measured for two synthesizing enzymes, Λ‐acylphosphatidylethanolamine‐specific phospholipase D (NAPE‐PLD) and glycerophos‐phodiesterase (GDE1), and one degrading enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). We found a dose‐response relation between the quantity/percentage of dietary fat, irrespective of the energy density, and the reduction of intestinal levels of OEA, PEA, and LEA. The reductions were present afterldof 45E% HFD. LEA, the major NAE species, was shown to have an anorectic potency slightly less than that of OEA but higher than PEA. Regulation at the enzyme level seems not to explain the changes in NAE levels. The results suggest the presence of a fat sensor, mediating the reduced intestinal NAE levels. The intestinal NAE levels are reduced in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in response to dietary fat intake, and this may contribute to the well‐known hyperphagic effect of HFDs. —Diep, T. A. , Madsen, A. N. , Holst, B. , Kristiansen, M. M. , Wellner, N. , Hansen, S. H. , Hansen, H. S. Dietary fat decreases intestinal levels of the anorectic lipids through a fat sensor. FASEB J. 25, 765–774 (2011). www.fasebj. org
Speaker identification based on nonlinear speech models

Some of the work on speech processing has focused on modeling speech as an AM-FM signal. The success of the AM-FM model motivated us to investigate a similar nonlinear model and examine its application in speaker identification. Tests are carried out to compare the performance of the novel cyclic correlation based method with popular speaker identification methods based on cepstra. These studies show that the performance of the proposed method is comparable to the cepstrum based approach at high signal-to-noise ratio, but the former outperforms the latter under noisy conditions.
Antibody facilitation of multiple sclerosis-like lesions in a nonhuman primate.

In the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS), the immune mechanisms responsible for selective destruction of central nervous system myelin are unknown. In the common marmoset Callithrix jacchus, a unique demyelinating form of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis resembling MS can be induced by immunization with whole myelin. Here we show that the MS-like lesion can be reproduced by immunization against the extracellular domain of a single myelin protein, myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). By contrast, immunization against the quantitatively major myelin proteins myelin basic protein or proteolipid protein results in inflammation but little or no demyelination. Furthermore, in the presence of encephalitogenic (e.g., disease-inducing) T cells, the fully demyelinated lesion is reconstructed by systemic administration of IgG purified from whole myelin-, or MOG-immunized animals, and equally by a monoclonal antibody against MOG, but not by control IgG. Encephalitogenic T cells may contribute to the MS-like lesion through disruption of the blood-brain barrier that permits access of demyelinating antibody into the nervous system. The identification of MOG as a major target antigen for autoimmune demyelination in a nonhuman primate should facilitate development of specific immunotherapies for human MS.
Anaerobic Degradation of Benzene and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are very slowly degraded without molecular oxygen. Here, we review the recent advances in the elucidation of the first known degradation pathways of these environmental hazards. Anaerobic degradation of benzene and PAHs has been successfully documented in the environment by metabolite analysis, compound-specific isotope analysis and microcosm studies. Subsequently, also enrichments and pure cultures were obtained that anaerobically degrade benzene, naphthalene or methylnaphthalene, and even phenanthrene, the largest PAH currently known to be degradable under anoxic conditions. Although such cultures grow very slowly, with doubling times of around 2 weeks, and produce only very little biomass in batch cultures, successful proteogenomic, transcriptomic and biochemical studies revealed novel degradation pathways with exciting biochemical reactions such as for example the carboxylation of naphthalene or the ATP-independent reduction of naphthoyl-coenzyme A. The elucidation of the first anaerobic degradation pathways of naphthalene and methylnaphthalene at the genetic and biochemical level now opens the door to studying the anaerobic metabolism and ecology of anaerobic PAH degraders. This will contribute to assessing the fate of one of the most important contaminant classes in anoxic sediments and aquifers.
Mirtazapine, a sedating antidepressant, and improved driving safety in patients with major depressive disorder: a prospective, randomized trial of 28 patients.

OBJECTIVE The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of mirtazapine, a sedating antidepressant, on driving safety in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients and to observe the effect of mirtazapine on daytime alertness. METHOD Twenty-eight patients who met the DSM-IV criteria for MDD completed the study in a university teaching hospital. Half of these patients took mirtazapine 30 mg at bedtime for 30 days. A computerized driving simulator test (DST) and the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) were conducted at baseline and on days 2, 9, 16, and 30 after commencement of antidepressant use. Fourteen untreated depressed patients performed a DST and MWT at baseline and on days 2 and 9 to evaluate the possibility of a learning effect. Data collection was from June 2005 through January 2006. RESULTS There were significant linear effects of the treatment on road position at All Trials (p = .018) and on the morning sessions at 10:00 a.m. (p < .001) and 12:00 p.m. (p = .022) and on the number of crashes at All Trials (p = .034) and the 4:00 p.m. session (p = .050) for the group on active treatment. Compared with the values at baseline, those of road position at 10:00 a.m. significantly improved on days 2 (p < .05), 9 (p < .01), 16 (p < .01) and 30 (p < .01) and road position at 12:00 p.m. significantly improved on days 16 (p < .05) and 30 (p < .05). The number of crashes significantly decreased on day 30 (p < .05). The untreated patients showed no improvement in performance in any of the measures, suggesting that the results are not due to a learning effect. CONCLUSION A sedating antidepressant can increase driving safety in MDD patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00385437.
External Insights to Boost Internal R&D Efforts of the Fish and Seafood Export Processing Industry in Sri Lanka

This research is focused on the fish and seafood export industry of Sri Lanka, considering its importance to the country’s economy. The objectives of the study are to investigate the nature of open innovation practices among fish and seafood exporters in Sri Lanka and to find out the role of open innovation on product and process development, market identification, market expansion, brand image, quality control, labelling and certification, sales promotion and advertising, and the sustainability of the resource base. The empirical study is based on the data obtained from 26 EU approved fish and seafood processing establishments. A structured questionnaire followed by interviews with CEOs, RD idea-rich/poor, conversion rich/poor and diffusion rich/poor. Hypothesis testing proved the positive relationship between firm performance and open innovation practices of the firms. Results reveal that firms are idea rich, conversion and diffusion moderate. Moreover, the study has identified open innovation partners, the nature of their support and the open innovation process of the fish and seafood export processors.
Decoding the histone H4 lysine 20 methylation mark

The molecular biology of histone H4 lysine 20 (H4K20) methylation, like many other post-translational modifications of histones, has been the subject of intensive interest in recent years. While there is an emerging consensus linking H4K20me1, H4K20me2, and H4K20me3 to transcription, repair, and constitutive heterochromatin, respectively, the specific details of these associations and the biological mechanisms by which the methylated histones are introduced and function are now the subject of active investigation. Although a large number of methylases capable of methylating H4K20 have been identified and characterized; there is no known demethylase of H4K20, though the search is ongoing. Additionally, many recent studies have been directed at understanding the role of methylated H4K20 and other histone modifications associated with different biological processes in the context of a combinatorial histone code. It seems likely that continued study of the methylation of H4K20 will yield extremely valuable insights concerning the regulation of histone modifications before and during cell division and the impact of these modifications on subsequent gene expression.
A Double-Strand Break in a Chromosomal LINE Element Can Be Repaired by Gene Conversion with Various Endogenous LINE Elements in Mouse Cells

ABSTRACT A double-strand break (DSB) in the mammalian genome has been shown to be a very potent signal for the cell to activate repair processes. Two different types of repair have been identified in mammalian cells. Broken ends can be rejoined with or without loss or addition of DNA or, alternatively, a homologous template can be used to repair the break. For most genomic sequences the latter event would involve allelic sequences present on the sister chromatid or homologous chromosome. However, since more than 30% of our genome consists of repetitive sequences, these would have the option of using nonallelic sequences for homologous repair. This could have an impact on the evolution of these sequences and of the genome itself. We have designed an assay to look at the repair of DSBs in LINE-1 (L1) elements which number 105 copies distributed throughout the genome of all mammals. We introduced into the genome of mouse epithelial cells an L1 element with an I-SceI endonuclease site. We induced DSBs at the I-SceI site and determined their mechanism of repair. We found that in over 95% of cases, the DSBs were repaired by an end-joining process. However, in almost 1% of cases, we found strong evidence for repair involving gene conversion with various endogenous L1 elements, with some being used preferentially. In particular, the TF family and the L1Md-A2 subfamily, which are the most active in retrotransposition, appeared to be contributing the most in this process. The degree of homology did not seem to be a determining factor in the selection of the endogenous elements used for repair but may be based instead on accessibility. Considering their abundance and dispersion, gene conversion between repetitive elements may be occurring frequently enough to be playing a role in their evolution.