Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of feeding intensity on the performance characteristics and onset of sexual maturity in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

A study was carried out to determine the effects of feeding intensity on the performance characteristics and onset of sexual maturity in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Two hundred (200) day old Japanese quails of mixed sexes were weighed and randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments with 5 replicates per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each replicate had 10 birds thus a total of 50 birds per treatment. The control treatment (TI) had 100% feeding intensity while T2, T3 and T4 had 90%, 80% and 70% feeding intensities, respectively. Feeds were fed in 2 phases (grower phase) from 0-3 weeks and (finisher phase) from 4-8 weeks. Birds in all treatments were fed a common diet in each phase of the experiment. Feed was restricted at both phases while water was served ad libitum. The experiment lasted 56 days. Initial body weight was recorded and subsequently daily record on feed consumption, weight gain and mortality were made. Results obtained at the end of the experiment indicated that feeding intensity was proportionate to body weight gained and both could affect sexual maturity solely or jointly. With the significant feed intake and body weight gained at week 6, no quail laid in all the treatments. Sexual maturity started in TI at week 7 (49 th day), with an average weight of 133.3g while it started at week 8 (52 nd day) in T2 and 56 th day in T3 when the average weights were 148g and 125g, respectively demonstrating that feed intake level and body weight were determinants for sexual maturity. Quails in T4 did not lay at week 8 but at the 60 th day because of low feeding intensity which affected low intake of all nutrients.
Fizičko-hemijska karakterizacija praškastih aktivnih ugljeva dobijenih termo-hemijskom konverzijom biljnog komunalnog otpada

Izvod Sisarka crnog evropskog bora i srž ploda divljeg kestena predstavljaju biljni komunalni otpad, a koji su u ovom radu upotrebljeni za dobijanje praskastih aktivnih ugljeva. Koriscena je hemijska aktivacija na temperaturi od 500 °C u inertnoj atmosferi azota. Izvrsene su standardne fizicko-hemijske analize dobijenih proizvoda. Funkcionalne grupe na povrsini aktivnih ugljeva su ispitane FTIR metodom. Kisele kiseonicne grupe su kvantitativno određene Boemovim titracijama. Oblik i raspored cestica koje imaju mikrometarske dimenzije su posmatrane skenirajucom elektronskom mikroskopijom. Fizisorpcijom azota određena je specificna povrsina i raspodela pora dobijenih aktivnih ugljeva. Pokazana je mogucnost konverzije cestog komunalnog otpada u aktivni ugalj koji pokazuje dobre adsorpcione osobine.
Genetic analysis of an archaeal Holliday junction resolvase in Escherichia coli.

The study of genes and proteins in heterologous model systems provides a powerful approach to the analysis of common processes in biology. Here, we show how the bacterium Escherichia coli can be exploited to analyse genetically and biochemically the activity and function of a Holliday junction resolving enzyme from an archaeal species. We have purified and characterised a member of the newly discovered Holliday junction cleaving (Hjc) family of resolvases from the moderately thermophilic archaeon Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum and demonstrate that it promotes DNA repair in resolvase-deficient ruv mutants of E. coli. The data presented provide the first direct evidence that such archaeal enzymes can promote DNA repair in vivo, and support the view that formation and resolution of Holliday junctions are key to the interplay between DNA replication, recombination and repair in all organisms. We also show that Hjc promotes DNA repair in E. coli in a manner that requires the presence of the RecG branch migration protein. These results support models in which RecG acts at a replication fork stalled at a lesion in the DNA, catalysing fork regression and forming a Holliday junction that can then be acted upon by Hjc.
Review Article Chromogranin A in Physiology and Oncology (chromogranin / neuroendocrine tumours / cleavage fragments / extracellular functions / intracellular functions / tumour marker)

Chromogranin A (CgA) is a hydrophilic acidic one-chain peptide containing 439 amino acids, preceded by NH 2 -terminal 18-amino-acid signal pep- tide; the complete pre-chromogranin A molecule thus encompasses 457 amino acids. It is a member of the chromogranin family that comprises several pro- teins. The CgA gene is a single-copy gene localized in the locus 14q32. Chromogranin A is produced by en- docrine and neuroendocrine cells. The largest amount of CgA occurs in chromaffin granules of ad- renal medulla and in the dense-core vesicles of sym- pathetic nerves. Its biological functions have not been completely elucidated, but it is known that it acts as a precursor of many biologically active pep- tides generated by cleavage at specific sites. It is the major soluble protein co-stored and co-released along with resident catecholamines and polypeptide hormones or cell-specific neurotransmitters. Because of its widespread distribution in neuroendocrine tis- sue, it can be used both as immunohistochemical marker and serum marker of neuroendocrine tu-
Finite-Time Sliding Mode Control for Trajectory Tracking of WMRs with Wheel-Soil Friction Disturbance Adaptability

ABSTRACT This paper presents a trajectory tracking approach based on terminal sliding mode control (TSMC) technique for wheeled mobile robot where the wheel-soil friction can be measured and the estimated errors will converge to their stable values within finite-time, by which the control system is able to be designed in accordance with the prescribed performance. Three kinds of friction effects and their acting mechanisms, at the first place, are argued by exploring the disturbance-like friction behaviors, and then two updated laws, i.e., taking uncertain friction as an entire term or as a parametric form for varied effects, are proposed. In addition, the adoption of TSMC enables the tracking error estimation being faster and more reliable, and the stability and reliability of closed-loop control system are guaranteed by means of Lyapunov stability theorem. Subsequently, the numerical simulation validates the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed controllers by which the terrain adaptability, movement precision, and maneuvering capability will be improved significantly.
Inertial representation of angular motion in the vestibular system of rhesus monkeys. II. Otolith-controlled transformation that depends on an intact cerebellar nodulus.

1. We recently studied the spatial representation of angular motion signals in rhesus monkeys by examining the orientation of postrotatory vestibuloocular responses during tilt of the head and body relative to gravity after constant-velocity rotation about an earth-vertical axis. We have reported that low-frequency angular motion signals in the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) of rhesus monkeys are spatially transformed such that they remain invariant relative to gravity. In the present study we examine the properties of these inertial vestibular signals by employing similar stimulation conditions in animals with either selective semicircular canal plugging or selective lesions of cerebellar lobule X (nodulus) and ventral lobule IX (uvula). 2. We studied the spatial organization of postrotatory VOR in two rhesus monkeys that had either the lateral or one of the vertical canal pairs inactivated by plugging. In both monkeys, the spatiotemporal characteristics of postrotatory velocity after rotation in the plane of an intact canal pair and tilting in the plane of the plugged canal pair were indistinguishable from those of intact animals: postrotatory responses after tilts in the plane of the plugged canal pair were strongly damped, whereas an orthogonal response component was generated that rotated the eye velocity vector toward alignment with gravity. Thus otolith information rather than transient semicircular canal inputs that normally coexist during tilts seem to provide the necessary cues for the central transformation of semicircular canal signals. 3. We studied the three-dimensional VOR properties in two animals in which the cerebellar nodulus and ventral uvula were surgically ablated. After these lesions the temporal properties of the horizontal, vertical, and torsional VOR during earth-vertical-axis rotations were differentially affected. For horizontal VOR, the duration of postrotatory nystagmus was prolonged and the responses acquired strongly underdamped (i.e., oscillatory) properties. Similarly, sinusoidal responses were characterized by smaller phase leads after the lesion. For torsional VOR, the duration of postrotatory nystagmus was significantly shorter after the lesions, reaching postlesion values of 3.6 +/- 1.7 (SD) s and 6.4 +/- 1.1 s compared with prelesion values of 22.4 +/- 4.5 and 33.6 +/- 5.3 s for each animal. In addition, large phase leads characterized the torsional VOR during low-frequency sinusoidal stimulation. The dynamic properties of the vertical VOR in the lesioned animals, on the other hand, were indistinguishable from those in controls. 4. The cerebellar lesions affected the spatial organization of the horizontal and vertical/torsional systems in a differential way. Inertial transformation of lateral canal activity was only partially affected. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Measurement and experimentation in software engineering

The contributions of measurement and experimentation to the state of the art in software engineering are reviewed. The role of measurement in developing theoretical models is discussed, and concerns for reliability and validity are stressed. Current approaches to measuring software characteristics are presented as examples. In particular, software complexity metrics related to control flow, module interconnectedness, and Halstead's Software Science are discussed. The use of experimental methods in evaluating cause-effect relationships is also discussed. Example programs of experimental research which investigated conditional statements and control flow are reviewed. The conclusion argues that many advances in software engineering will be related to improvements in the measurement and experimental evaluation of software techniques and practices.
Integração de critérios objectivos de sustentabilidade ambiental na elaboração de planos regionais de ordenamento do território

A actual legislacao nacional no dominio do ordenamento do territorio, com destaque para a respectiva Lei de Bases e para o Decreto-Lei n.o 380/99, integra algumas perspectivas de sustentabilidade, nomeadamente ao obrigar a identificacao dos recursos e valores naturais, agricolas e florestais nos planos territoriais e ao prever a definicao das estruturas ecologicas municipais. O normativo legal assume sobretudo uma perspectiva processual e nao tanto substantiva, ou seja, exige apenas o cumprimento de determinados requisitos sem se assegurar da sua eficacia. A opcao do legislador deveu-se, provavelmente, ao facto de ser necessaria flexibilidade na elaboracao dos planos, permitindo assim as entidades responsaveis a escolha das melhores solucoes para os territorios em causa. A legislacao introduz, ainda, mecanismos de controlo como as fases de concertacao e participacao, o acompanhamento permanente da comissao mista de coordenacao e o parecer final da Comissao de Coordenacao e Desenvolvimento Regional. O ordenamento do territorio e cada vez mais entendido, tanto ao nivel tecnico como politico, como uma questao fundamental que se encontra fortemente relacionada com praticamente todas as politicas. Contudo, sao inumeras e facilmente verificaveis as disfuncoes existentes: aumento da dependencia do automovel particular, deterioracao da qualidade do ar, expansao urbana em mancha de oleo ou destruicao de zonas verdes e da faixa litoral. Alguns numeros comprovam isso mesmo. Em Portugal, e apesar dos compromissos assumidos no Protocolo de Quioto, as emissoes de gases com efeito de estufa (GEE) para o subsector energetico dos transportes aumentaram
Millimeter-wave photonic techniques for radio-over-fiber systems

We proposed a 60 GHz multiband-orthogonal frequency-division-multiplexing (MB-OFDM) system using millimeter-wave (MMW) photonic techniques. A simple optical modulation scheme is developed to generate 60 GHz carrier by the sixth-harmonic term of local oscillator (LO) frequency. We have experimentally demonstrated that the wireless MMW photonic MB-OFDM system can transmit data at up to the rate of 480 Mbps and the maximum wireless-transmission distance can reach 3 m.
Characterization of a Dual CDC7/CDK9 Inhibitor in Multiple Myeloma Cellular Models

Two key features of myeloma cells are the deregulation of the cell cycle and the dependency on the expression of the BCL2 family of anti-apoptotic proteins. The cell division cycle 7 (CDC7) is an essential S-phase kinase and emerging CDC7 inhibitors are effective in a variety of preclinical cancer models. These compounds also inhibit CDK9 which is relevant for MCL-1 expression. The activity and mechanism of action of the dual CDC7/CDK9 inhibitor PHA-767491 was assessed in a panel of multiple myeloma cell lines, in primary samples from patients, in the presence of stromal cells and in combination with drugs used in current chemotherapeutic regimens. We report that in all conditions myeloma cells undergo cell death upon PHA-767491 treatment and we report an overall additive effect with melphalan, bortezomib and doxorubicin, thus supporting further assessment of targeting CDC7 and CDK9 in multiple myeloma.
Meta-Analysis of Antibiotics for the Treatment of Otitis Media with Effusion

OBJECTIVE: To reconcile conflicting reports of antibiotic efficacy for otitis media with effusion in children. DATA SOURCES: English-language MEDLINE search (“antibiotics” and “otitis” media with effusion“) from January 1980 through December 1990. Current Contents 1990, consultation with experts, and references from review articles, textbook chapters, and retrieved reports. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized clinical trials with concurrent controls (placebo or no drug), and children with at least one ear not violated by tympanocentesis. Ten of the initial 82 articles were selected after blind review of the methods sections. DATA EXTRACTION: We independently evaluated each trial using 20 measures of internal and external validity, then extracted treatment and control responses for an end point of all affected ears free of effusion at the first posttreatment assessment. DATA SYNTHESIS: Pooled analysis of 1325 children yielded a rate difference of 22.8% (95% CI, 10.5 to 35.1) that was minimally affected by interstudy quality differences, and was unlikely to represent publication bias. Variations in trial outcomes were not attributable to chance, study design, or choice of drug, but were inversely related to the control group natural cure rate. Children with chronic bilateral effusions not related to a recent episode of acute otitis media tended to have lower natural cure rates, and a more favorable response to therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotics have a clinically and statistically significant impact on the resolution of otitis media with effusion. The association between outcome and natural cure rate has important implications for the design and interpretation of future trials.
A 10‐Mb paracentric inversion of chromosome arm 2p inactivates MSH2 and is responsible for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer in a North‐American kindred

Genomic deletions of the MSH2 gene are a frequent cause of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), a common hereditary predisposition to the development of tumors in several organs including the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts and endometrium. The mutation spectrum at the MSH2 gene is extremely heterogeneous because it includes nonsense and missense point mutations, small insertions and deletions leading to frameshifts, and larger genomic deletions, the latter representing approximately 25% of the total mutation burden. Here, we report the identification and molecular characterization of the first paracentric inversion of the MSH2 locus known to cause HNPCC. Southern blot analysis and inverse PCR showed that the centromeric and telomeric breakpoints of the paracentric inversion map within intron 7 and to a contig 10 Mb 3′ of MSH2, respectively. Pathogenicity of the paracentric inversion was demonstrated by conversion analysis. The patient's lymphocytes were employed to generate somatic cell hybrids to analyze the expression of the inverted MSH2 allele in an Msh2‐deficient rodent cellular background. The inversion was shown to abolish MSH2 expression by both northern and western analysis. This study confirms that Southern blot analysis still represents a useful and informative tool to screen for and identify complex genomic rearrangements in HNPCC. Moreover, monoallelic expression analysis represents an attractive approach to demonstrate pathogenicity of unusual mutations in autosomal dominant hereditary conditions. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A parallel k-partition method to perform Montgomery Multiplication

This paper proposes a new approach to speed up the Montgomery Multiplication by distributing the multiplier operand bits into k partitions that can process in parallel. Each partition executes in n/k steps. A computation step, although operating in radix 2k, has its complexity reduced by the use of a limited digit set. Experiments with a 90nm cell library show that the hardware cost and its complexity have a linear growth with the number of partitions. Besides the gain in speed, the approach provides 20% average reduction in energy consumption for multiplication operands with 256, 512, 1024, and 2048 bits.
SPECTROSCOPIC DIAGNOSIS OF COLONIC DYSPLASIA

Abstract— —We have developed a method for defining diagnostic algorithms for pathologic conditions based on fluorescence spectroscopy. We apply this method to human colon tissue and show that fluorescence can be used to diagnose the presence or absence of colonic adenoma. This method uses fluorescence excitation–emission matrices (EEM) to identify optimal excitation regions for obtaining fluorescence emission spectra which can be used to differentiate normal and pathologic tissues. In the case of normal and adenomatous colon tissue, these were found to be: 330, 370, and 430 nm ± 10 nm. At these excitation wavelengths, emission wavelengths for use in diagnostic algorithms are identified from average difference and ratio of the spectra from normal and pathologic tissues. In colon tissue, at 370 nm excitation, 404, 480, and 680 nm were found to be useful emission wavelengths for diagnosing the presence of adenoma in vitro. The basis of colon tissue autofluorescence was investigated using EEM of pure molecules and relevant excitation–emission maxima in the literature.
The Rise of Fund Managers in Foreign Exchange: Will Fundamentals Ultimately Dominate?

This paper analyses the behaviour and motivation of fund managers in foreign exchange markets reflected in questionnaire evidence. We find that fund managers and FX dealers differ significantly. Fund managers rely more on fundamentals, basically due to their longer forecasting horizons, and reject non-fundamental influences on exchange rates more than FX dealers. However, neither can fund managers be considered as pure fundamentalists. Non-fundamentalist positions markedly influence short-term decision-making. They inspire ambivalent views about market imperfections and these views seem to become stronger over time. This latter change counterbalances the strengthening fundamental influences resulting from the rise of fund managers.
Enterovirus D68–Associated Severe Pneumonia, China, 2014

To the Editor: Over the past 4 years, outbreaks caused by enterovirus type D68 (EV-D68) infection have occurred in many parts of the world (1); this virus can cause severe respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children. This public health concern has been boosted by the recent outbreaks of EV-D68 infection in the United States (http://www.cdc.gov/non-polio-enterovirus/outbreaks/EV-D68-outbreaks.html). Outbreaks associated with novel EV-D68 have also been reported during 2006–2012 in China (2,3). However, since 2012, no EV-D68 infections in China have been reported. Whether the EV-D68 outbreaks in the United States affected those in China is unclear. Continuous characterization of EV-D68 epidemics is therefore necessary for purposes of early alert and for facilitating control measure decisions.
Inferential framework for nonstationary dynamics: t heory and applications

An extended Bayesian inference framework is presented, aiming to infer time-varying parameters in nonstationary nonlinear stochastic dynamical systems. The convergence of the method is discussed. The performance of the technique is studied using, as an example, signal reconstruction for a system of neurons modeled by FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators: it is applied to reconstruction of the model parameters and elements of the measurement matrix, as well as to inference of the time-varying parameters of the non-stationary system. It is shown that the proposed approach is able to reconstruct unmeasured (hidden) variables of the system, to determine the model parameters, to detect stepwise changes of control parameters for each oscillator, and to track the continuous evolution of the control parameters in the adiabatic limit.
The influence of emotion on temporal perspectives

Recent research suggests that our understanding of the abstract domain of time is dependent on the more concrete domain of space. At once time is measurable and abstract, thus we often think of it both temporally as well as spatially. Boroditsky and Ramscar (2002) find that the spatial domain influences whether people see themselves as moving through time (ego-moving perspective) or as time moving towards them (timemoving perspective). Might there be other factors at work influencing these perspectives other than just representations of spatial experience? The current studies investigate the role that emotion plays in construal of time. Specifically, do people's feelings about an event influence how they perceive time and do people's perception of time influence how they feel about an event? Consistent with egomoving and time-moving perspectives, results suggest a significant effect of emotion on time construal such that people who have negative feelings about an event report that event as approaching them while people who have positive feelings about an event see themselves as approaching that event. A follow-up study shows the reverse process to be true such that ego-moving and time-moving language influence subjective positivity and negativity, respectively.