Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Object level mapping of an indoor environment using RFID

Many of the indoor applications like navigation, indoor localization, object tracking require an indoor map. Indoor environments are dynamic in nature because of the objects present in it. To capture the essence of the indoor environment, it is essential to perform an object level mapping of an indoor space. This is because an object has the potential to alter the map of an indoor environment. Mapping a huge indoor environment could prove to be costly in terms of time with high infrastructure dependency. This compels us to find a simple solution in terms of cost, time and reliability to build an indoor map. The proposed solution should have minimal infrastructure dependence, so that it can be used in situations like disaster and rapid response scenarios, where the available infrastructure is minimal and time is of essence. We propose a Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) based approach which performs an object level mapping of the indoor environment using a portable RFID reader, RFID Ultra High Frequency(UHF) passive tags and inertial navigation sensors(INS). This approach identifies each object in the indoor environment using one or more passive tags. A novel algorithm has been developed which accurately maps the objects present in the indoor space. It is easily scalable to map huge indoor environments and can be applied without any intensive manual labor or expensive equipments. Our experiments show that this approach generates object level indoor maps with high accuracy.
Hox Genes in the Limb: A Play in Two Acts

The development of the tetrapod limb depends on complex cascades of gene expression. In her Perspective, Deschamps reports on a new study ( ZAikAiny et al.) that dissects the expression patterns and functions of the HoxD gene cluster during the early stages of limb bud development in the mouse.
Salivary endothelin and vascular disorders in vibration-exposed workers.

OBJECTIVES This study investigated the relation between salivary endothelin, vibration exposure, and vascular disorders in a group of forestry workers. METHODS Altogether 54 forestry workers and 52 controls underwent a medical examination and a cold test with measurement of the percentage of change in finger systolic blood pressure after finger cooling from 30 degrees C to 10 degrees C (FSBP% (10 degrees)). Salivary endothelin concentration (ET(1-21), in fmol/ml) was measured by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after the cold challenge. The anamnestic diagnosis of vibration-induced white finger (VWF), assisted by color charts, was based on the Stockholm Workshop criteria. RESULTS Six forestry workers (11%) and one control (2%) reported white fingers. Before the cold challenge, the salivary ET(1-21) concentration was significantly greater in the VWF workers than in the controls (P=0.036). The cold response of digital arteries was stronger in the VWF workers than in the controls (P<0.001) and the asymptomatic forestry workers (P=0.008). After the cold test, there was a small, not significant, increase in the salivary ET(1-21) concentration in both the controls and the forestry workers. For the latter, the salivary ET(1-21) concentration was significantly associated with both daily and total operating time with vibrating tools. A significant inverse relation between FSBP% (10 degrees )and the salivary ET(1-21) concentration was observed for the forestry workers with an abnormal cold response in their digital arteries. CONCLUSIONS This study showed an association between salivary ET(1-21) concentration, daily and cumulative vibration exposure, and vascular disorders in the fingers of professional forestry workers. Since ET(1-21) can induce powerful and long-lasting constriction of human vessels, these findings suggest a possible role of this vasopeptide in the pathogenesis of VWF.
Membrane currents of internally perfused neurones of the snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, at low intracellular pH.

The effects of low intracellular pH (pHi) on the membrane currents of snail neurone somata were studied using the internal perfusion and ion‐sensitive micro‐electrode techniques. Recordings with pH‐sensitive micro‐electrodes made while the pH of the perfusion solution was changed between 7.3 and 6.3 indicated that only with high buffer concentrations (100 mM) could pHi be changed effectively. H+ was slower to exchange into the cytoplasm than an unbuffered ion such as K+. When pHi was decreased to 5.9, large outward H+ currents could be recorded at voltages positive to ‐30 mV. The time course and amplitude of these currents were such that they did not affect the measurement of the peak amplitude of the fast transient K+ current (A‐current), but severely contaminated both Ca2+ and delayed K+ current measurements. Low pHi blocked the A‐current. The titration curve was consistent with the binding of two H ions to a site with a pK of 6.05 to block the channel. Low pHi appeared to block the slow inactivation of the delayed outward current without greatly changing its peak amplitude. However, when correction was made for the increase of H+ current at low pHi, the effect of internal H+ was found to be a block of the delayed K+ current with no consistent effect on inactivation. The Ca2+ current was also decreased at low pHi, but we were unable to determine whether this was a direct effect of pHi or secondary to a rise in internal free [Ca2+]. If no correction was made for H+ currents, the block of the Ca2+ current appeared greater and more reversible than it actually was. We conclude that under certain conditions, such as low pHi, the H+ current is a significant fraction of the total outward current in snail neurones, and may also be in a variety of other cells. The H+ currents must be accounted for under such conditions in order to study accurately the properties of K+ and Ca2+ currents.
Retinal stem cells transplantation combined with copolymer-1 immunization reduces interferon-gamma levels in an experimental model of glaucoma.

AIM To explore the effect of immunization with copolymer-1 (COP-1) and retinal stem cells (RSCs) transplantation on interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels in a rat experimental glaucoma model. METHODS An experimental glaucoma was induced by argon laser photocoagulation of the episcleral veins and limbal plexus in the right eye of rats. Immediately following glaucoma induction, rats were immunized with COP-1. RSCs were cultured and transplanted intravitreally into the eyes of glaucoma model animals 1 week post-laser treatment. Six experimental groups were used: COP-1/RSC, PBS/RSC, COP-1/PBS, PBS/PBS, glaucoma model group, and a normal control group. The concentration of IFN-γ in aqueous humor (AH) and serum was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in each of the six groups. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival was assessed by quantifying apoptosis using Hoechst staining. RESULTS Concentrations of IFN-γ in AH and serum of rats that had undergone glaucoma induction were higher than those of non-induced control rats. The concentrations of IFN-γ in AH and serum of the COP-1/RSCs treated group were determined to be 2371.9ng/L and 710.9ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the other treated groups (P<0.05). In fact, IFN-γ levels in the dual treated group were reduced to background levels. The COP-1/RSC group had lower number of apoptotic RGCs than the other three experimental groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The reduced levels of IFN-γ in AH and serum of the COP-1/RSC group may be related to synergistic effects between RSCs transplantation and COP-1 immune modulation. It is likely that the lower levels of IFN-γ prevented RGCs glaucomatous apoptosis.
Gold Nanorods as Single and Combined Saturable Absorbers for a High-Energy   $Q$-Switched Nd:YAG Solid-State Laser

Gold nanorods (GNRs) with surface plasmon resonance peak at 1063.8 nm were fabricated and experimentally exploited as the single and combined saturable absorber (SA) in a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser for the first time. In the situation using GNRs as a single SA, the maximum pulse energy of 19 μJ was achieved at a pulse repetition rate of 20 kHz. However, due to the small effective modulation depth of the GNRs, microsecond pulses were generated in such a GNRs-based passively Q-switched laser. A novel configuration using GNRs as a combined SA in an acoustooptic Q-switched Nd: YAG laser was proposed. The small nonlinear loss modulation induced by the GNRs played a distinctive role in flexibly manipulating the nanosecond pulse waveforms. Our study demonstrated the feasibility of generating high-energy pulses by singly using GNRs-based SA in all solid-state lasers. Meanwhile, a new application mode incorporating GNRs as a combined SA was studied, providing an alternative method to take advantage of the nanomaterial-based SA with a relatively small modulation depth.
PHOTOBIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF A NOVEL, NATURALLY OCCURRING FUROISOCOUMARIN, CORIANDRIN

Abstract— The photobiological properties of a novel, naturally occurring furoisocoumarin isolated from coriander and named coriandrin are described. Photosensitized lethal and mutagenic effects in bacteria indicate that it is more active than psoralen. It is a weak frameshift mutagen in the dark. Mammalian cells in tissue culture are photosensitized more actively with coriandrin than with psoralen even though preliminary evidence from interrupted radiation experiments and DNA analysis suggest that coriandrin does not form DNA interstrand crosslinks. Sister chromatid exchanges were induced with a unit dose of 1.1 times 10‐2 with coriandrin; the value for psoralen is 3 times 10‐3. Coriandrin appears to be metabolized more rapidly than furocoumarins by liver mixed function oxidases. Skin photosensitizing activity is very weak compared with psoralen, a surprising observation considering its potency in biological test systems.
Improved Learning in a Large-Enrollment Physics Class

Encouraging active engagement results in enhanced learning. We compared the amounts of learning achieved using two different instructional approaches under controlled conditions. We measured the learning of a specific set of topics and objectives when taught by 3 hours of traditional lecture given by an experienced highly rated instructor and 3 hours of instruction given by a trained but inexperienced instructor using instruction based on research in cognitive psychology and physics education. The comparison was made between two large sections (N = 267 and N = 271) of an introductory undergraduate physics course. We found increased student attendance, higher engagement, and more than twice the learning in the section taught using research-based instruction.
Exploratory synthesis of new heavy main group chalcogenides

We have recently commenced to investigate mixed valent tin chalcogenides as well as polychalcogenides, namely SrSn/sub 2/Se/sub 4/, Sr/sub 2/SnSe/sub 5/, Ba/sub 2/SnSe/sub 5/, and Ba/sub 2/SnTe/sub 5/. These materials exhibit (calculated and in part experimentally confirmed) band gaps between 0.2 eV (Ba/sub 2/SnTe/sub 5/) and 1.2 eV (Ba/sub 2/SnSe/sub 5/). Molecular units are predominant in these materials, namely SnSe/sub 4//sup 4-/ tetrahedra, Sn/sub 3/Se/sub 10//sup 8-/ and Sn/sub 3/Te/sub 10//sup 8u/ilding blocks, respectively, as well as Se/sub 3//sup 2-/ and Te/sub 5//sup 4-/ units. Three-dimensionally interconnected covalent networks were found in the new quaternaries Ba/sub 3/Cu/sub 2/Sn/sub 3/Se/sub 10/, BaCu/sub 2/SnSe/sub 4/, and BaAg/sub 2/SnSe/sub 4/, including the Ba/sup 2+/ cations in one-dimensional channels. Despite the small band gaps (e.g., 0.2 eV for BaAg/sub 2/SnSe/sub 4/), the as-prepared samples exhibit rather small electrical conductivities, but large Seebeck coefficients (above +500 /spl mu/V/K at 300 K). Our most recently discovered polytellurides Ba/sub 3/Cu/sub 14-/spl delta//Te/sub 12/ and Ba/sub 2/Cu/sub 4-/spl delta//Te/sub 5/ comprising extended Cu atom substructures appear to have thermoelectric properties superior to the tin chalcogenides.
Conceptual Development in IS: The Case of MISQ 1995-2004

The goal of this research-in-progress is to analyze how concepts in the information system (IS) field emerge, are invented, or transformed, based on the works of the best IS scholars as they publish in MIS Quarterly, the highest-ranked journal in IS. Using a variant of citation analysis, this study uncovers how IS authors appropriate concepts and theories from other authors. Preliminary results show that IS authors often draw from other authors without adding substantive content and do not actively manipulate and transform concepts they borrow.
Manipulative Signals in Family Conflict? On the Function of Maternal Yolk Hormones in Birds

Maternal hormones in the yolk of birds’ eggs have been a focus of attention in behavioral and evolutionary ecology stimulated by the pioneering work of Hubert Schwabl. Since then, knowledge of both the factors that influence maternal deposition patterns and their consequences for offspring development has accumulated rapidly. To date, the field has been dominated by the idea that mothers use yolk hormones to adaptively adjust offspring development, a view that assigns control over hormone deposition and its effects on the offspring to the mother. This neglects the possibility that the evolutionary interests of the mother and offspring differ. When there is such parent‐offspring conflict, the offspring are selected to respond to the hormones in a way that is adaptive for themselves rather than for the mother. Moreover, sexual conflict between the parents over parental investment may shape the evolution of yolk hormone deposition: females may manipulate the male’s contribution to parental care through the effect of yolk hormones on offspring begging, competitiveness, and developmental rate. We therefore suggest that for a full understanding of the evolution of hormone‐mediated maternal effects, it is essential to study both fitness consequences and physiological mechanisms and constraints from the perspective of all family members.
Prevalence of mental illness in immigrant and non-immigrant U.S. Latino groups.

OBJECTIVE Although widely reported among Latino populations, contradictory evidence exists regarding the generalizability of the immigrant paradox, i.e., that foreign nativity protects against psychiatric disorders. The authors examined whether this paradox applies to all Latino groups by comparing estimates of lifetime psychiatric disorders among immigrant Latino subjects, U.S-born Latino subjects, and non-Latino white subjects. METHOD The authors combined and examined data from the National Latino and Asian American Study and the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, two of the largest nationally representative samples of psychiatric information. RESULTS In the aggregate, risk of most psychiatric disorders was lower for Latino subjects than for non-Latino white subjects. Consistent with the immigrant paradox, U.S.-born Latino subjects reported higher rates for most psychiatric disorders than Latino immigrants. However, rates varied when data were stratified by nativity and disorder and adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic differences across groups. The immigrant paradox consistently held for Mexican subjects across mood, anxiety, and substance disorders, while it was only evident among Cuban and other Latino subjects for substance disorders. No differences were found in lifetime prevalence rates between migrant and U.S.-born Puerto Rican subjects. CONCLUSIONS Caution should be exercised in generalizing the immigrant paradox to all Latino groups and for all psychiatric disorders. Aggregating Latino subjects into a single group masks significant variability in lifetime risk of psychiatric disorders, with some subgroups, such as Puerto Rican subjects, suffering from psychiatric disorders at rates comparable to non-Latino white subjects. Our findings thus suggest that immigrants benefit from a protective context in their country of origin, possibly inoculating them against risk for substance disorders, particularly if they emigrated to the United States as adults.
A hybrid genetic algorithm for non-permutation flow shop scheduling problems with unavailability constraints

This article deals with the non-permutation flow shop scheduling problems with non-availability intervals. Specifically, two kinds of unavailability constraints are investigated and the jobs are non-resumable in both cases. In the first case, the non-availability intervals are periodically fixed and known in advance. In the second case, the intervals are flexible and the machines’ continuous working time cannot exceed a maximum allowed time. Two mixed binary integer programming models are provided for deriving the optimal schedules, respectively. The problems of minimising makespan in such flow shops are proved Non-deterministic Polynomial-time hard in strong sense. Then a hybrid incremental genetic algorithm (HIGA) that combines an incremental evolution strategy framework, a local refinement and a population diversity supervision scheme is proposed to solve the large-sized problems efficiently. The numerical experiments under different problem parameters’ settings indicate that the HIGA can achieve quite satisfactory performance compared with genetic algorithm and a constructive heuristic based on Nawaz, Enscore, Ham.
Characterization of immunoreactive forms of human osteocalcin generated in vivo and in vitro

Three monoclonal antibodies recognizing the 5–13, 25–37, and 43–49 sequence of the human osteocalcin were used in competitive and two‐site radioimmunoassays (RIA) to characterize specifically various immunoreactive forms of circulating human osteocalcin. The intact molecule accounts for 36% of total in normals (2.6 nM), 46% in patients with osteoporosis (3.1 nM), and 26% in chronic renal failure (6.9 nM). Four fragment were detected in addition to the intact molecule in the serum of healthy adults and patients with metabolic bone disease. N‐terminal, mid, and mid C‐terminal fragments were present in minute amounts (each accounting for 5–14% of the total circulating osteocalcin immnoreactivity). In contrast, the N‐terminal mid‐fragment, probably resulting from the cleavage around amino acids 43–44, represents about 30% (2 nM) of the total osteocalcin immunoreactive level in normals and patients with osteoporosis and up to 50% (13 nM) in patients with chronic renal failure. This large N‐terminal midfragment, representing 75–80% of the intact osteocalcin level, is not lower when the plasma assay is performed immediately after sampling (within 20 minutes at 4°C with proteinase inhibitors), indicating that it circulates in vivo. In addition, this fragment was detected in the supernatant of osteoblastic cells, representing about 28% of the intact peptide. Levels of N‐terminal midfragment were not changed after treatment of patients with metabolic bone disease (Paget's disease, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, fibrous dysplasia, and osteoporosis) by bisphosphonate, suggesting that it is not released during bone resorption. The osteocalcin level measured with the two‐site immunoradiometric assay specific for the intact molecule or with a conventional bovine RIA was rapidly decreased after incubation of serum at room temperature (‐20 and −15%, respectively, after 3 h), whereas the total level of intact osteocalcin plus N‐terminal midfragment was not changed. Intact osteocalcin loss can be partially avoided by proteinase inhibitors and by incubating serum at 4°C. In conclusion, we characterized multiple immunoreactive forms of osteocalcin that circulate in addition to the intact molecule, none of them being specifically altered in osteoporosis. The N‐terminal midfragment circulates in a large amount, probably resulting from cleavage of the intact molecule in the circulation and/or at peripheral sites. These fragments can also be generated in vitro by proteolytic degradation of the intact molecule. To obtain reliable intact osteocalcin values but also reliable levels measured with conventional competitive RIA, careful control of the sampling conditions is warranted.
Inhibition of S-fimbria-mediated adhesion to human ileostomy glycoproteins by a protein isolated from bovine colostrum

The aim of this study was to isolate and purify the component in bovine colostrum which is responsible for the inhibition of S-fimbria-mediated adhesion of Escherichia coli. Whey from defatted colostrum was fractionated by ultrafiltration, and the < 100K, < 30K, and < 10K fractions and the colostral whey were tested for inhibition of in vitro adhesion of radiolabelled S-fimbria-bearing E. coli to human ileostomy glycoproteins, which provide a model for human intestinal mucus. The inhibiting compound was purified from a dialyzed < 30K fraction with an anion exchange column which was eluted with a NaCl gradient (0 to 1.0 M). The compound was found to be a heat-resistant but pepsin-sensitive protein with an Mr of approximately 18,000 and an isoelectric point of approximately 5.75. The protein appears to block receptor sites for S-fimbriae on ileostomy glycoproteins, with steric hindrance being the most likely mechanism. Analysis of the amino acid sequence of the amino terminus of the 18K protein showed similarity with the sequence of beta-lactoglobulin.
ACOMPARISON OF 3DIFFERENT REST INTERVALS ON THE EXERCISE VOLUME COMPLETED DURING A WORKOUT

The purpose of this research was to compare differences between 3 different rest intervals on the squat and bench press volume completed during a workout. Fifteen college-aged men volunteered to participate in this study (age 20.73 ± 2.60 years; body mass 80.73 ± 10.80 kg). All subjects performed 3 testing sessions, during which 4 sets of the squat and bench press were performed with an 8 repetition maximum (8RM) load. During each testing session, the squat and bench press were performed with a 1, 2, or 5-minute rest interval between sets. Volume was defined as the total number of repetitions completed over 4 sets for each rest condition. Statistical analysis was conducted separately for the squat and bench press. One-way repeated analyses of variance with Bonferroni post hocs demonstrated significant differences between each rest condition for both exercises tested (p < 0.05). The 5-minute rest condition resulted in the highest volume completed, followed in descending order by the 2- and 1-minute rest conditions. The ability to perform a higher volume of training with a given load may stimulate greater strength adaptations.
Exogenous Superoxide Dismutase Mimetic Without Scavenging H2O2 Causes Photoreceptor Damage in a Rat Model for Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy.

PURPOSE Frequent, brief intermittent episodes of hypoxia (IH) during hyperoxia increase reactive oxygen species in the immature retina with compromised antioxidant systems, thus leading to oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). We examined the hypothesis that early exposure to a mimetic of superoxide dismutase (SOD), the first line of defense against oxidative stress, will decrease IH-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and prevent severe OIR in our rat model. METHODS To test this hypothesis, newborn rats (P0) were exposed to IH consisting of alternating cycles of 50% O₂ with brief hypoxia (12% O₂) until P14 during which they were treated with a single daily intraperitoneal (IP) dose of MnTBAP (a SOD mimetic) at 1.0, 5.0, or 10.0 mg/kg on P0, P1, and P2. A saline-treated group served as vehicle controls. Groups were analyzed following IH at P14 or allowed to recover in room air (RA) until P21. Control littermates were raised in RA with all conditions identical except for inspired O₂. Ocular assessment of OIR severity, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, antioxidant activity, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) were conducted at P14 and P21. RESULTS Collectively, the data show increased oxidative stress and angiogenesis with MnTBAP, which was associated with photoreceptor damage, retinal characteristics consistent with severe OIR, and changes in genes regulating OXPHOS. CONCLUSIONS In the setting of IH, the use of exogenous SOD mimetics must be combined with H₂O₂ scavengers in order to prevent photoreceptor damage and severe OIR.