Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Chlortetracycline Impact on Earthworms (Eisenia fetida) by Quantitative Real-Time PCR

Chlortetracycline (CTC), antimicrobial chemical, is widely used to treat disease and protect the health of animals. As CTC is poorly absorbed during digestion, the majority of the bioactive compound or metabolites are excreted in faeces and urine. Toxicogenomics approach was used to examine the toxicological effects of CTC on earthworms (E. fetida). Quantification of gene expression levels encoding antioxidative system and biotransformation enzymes were analyzed in E. fetida. The results showed that GST transcript level was significantly inhibited at 300 mg CTC kg-1, with an approximately a 65% decrease compared to the control. Ferritin and serine were marked by high level transcripts at the lowest concentration and followed by decreasing levels with the increased concentraion. Hsp70 transcript appeared to be disrupted at the lowest concentration. Thus, environmental assessment using these genes expression levels in earthworms might be sensitive and helpful in the early diagnosis of potentially polluted soil.
Elevated haplotypes frequencies reveal similarities for selection signatures in Western and Russian Simmental populations

This paper shows a straightforward, but surprisingly effective approach to detect genomic regions of importance, illustrated on two Simmental cattle populations. Medium density genomic data of 42 German/Austrian (denoted as “Western“) and 38 Russian Simmental cattle were used to identify the most frequent haplotypes within the two populations. The haplotypes were defined as non-overlapping segments of ten single nucleotide ploymorphisms (SNP). The phasing was done with the SHAPEIT software, with a follow up analysis of haplotypes using the GHap package. Despite the low sample size a number of high frequency haplotypes could be identified across the whole genome. The identified genes residing directly in these high frequency haplotypes were extremely relevant for the dual purpose Simmental cattle. A large part of these genes influenced growth rate and carcass traits, others were relevant for the milk production. A smaller proportion was connected to the reproduction, immune system and cellular processes, with indirect influence on production traits.
Hepatitis c virus inhibitors

FIELD: organic chemistry, virology. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to heterocyclic compounds comprising five- and six-membered heterocycles with one or two nitrogen atoms and representing inhibitors of hepatitis C virus. Invention provides synthesis of novel compounds possessing valuable biological properties. EFFECT: valuable biological and medicinal properties of compounds. 12 cl, 2 tbl, 472 ex
Micromachined tunable filters using stress control of multilayer semiconductor mirrors

We proposed and demonstrated a micromachined filter with a strain control layer, which gives us novel functions including temperature insensitive operation, thermal wavelength tuning, wavelength trimming and 2-D multi-wavelength integration. In this paper, we present the design and the fabrication of micromachined thermally tunable filters with a low tuning voltage. In our micromachined micromachined filter, an air gap is formed between GaAlAs/GaAs DBRs with an upper DBR mirror freely suspended above the substrate by a cantilever structure. A novelty in our devices is to add a GaAs or GaAlAs thermal strain control layer on the upper DBR. We can freely control the temperature dependence of the proposed MEMS cavity. Either temperature insensitive operation or wide wavelength tuning induced by temperature change can be realized. Also, we fabricated a micromachined thermally tunable filter with a heating element. There are two electrodes integrated on the top p-type doped strain control layer of this filter for heating the cantilever. When a voltage is applied between the two electrodes resulting in heating, the micromachined cantilever moves due to thermal strain. The proposed structure enables thermal wavelength tuning either for red shift or blue shift. The amount of wavelength tuning is controlled by the length and the thermal capacity of the cantilever. We can expect much lower tuning voltage than conventional electrostatic force tuning scheme. We measured the tuning characteristics of fabricated filters with changing an applied voltage between two electrodes. We could obtain blue-shift wavelength tuning of over 50 nm with an applied voltage of 6 V.
Effects of Rivalry among Professionals in the Nigeria’s Construction Industry

The effect of the rivalry among professionals is a fact that occurs in construction industry of Nigeria. The study first traces the history of construction industry, then survey its development at the present time and also describes the intensity of competition and rivalry among the existing professionals in the Nigeria’s construction industry. Data for the study were collected through well-structured questionnaire directed to construction professionals in the construction firm and government ministries. Data collected were analyzed using frequency distribution table and relative significance index. The findings also revealed the level of severity of the effects of the causes of rivalry among the professionals. Abandonment of projects was observed to be the most significant effect in Nigeria with 89% significance and some others like loss of trust among participant in the project, collapse of structures, delay in delivery time of project, defective structures, exceeding estimated costs of project, disputes between client`s representative, workers may be demotivated, loss of future chances of work, and loss of confidence of the client. The study recommended the strict regulation and implementation of laws by the local authorities of each profession and the abolishment of discrimination of professional certificates by the government.
A Evaluation Model for Valid Prediction of Cabs’ Number Change from Urban Cabs Trajectories

the large scale urban cabs trajectories are used for prediction of cabs number change in some applications such as knowledge discovery and abnormal traffic alarm. The traditional methods calculate for many invalid spaces consume much time on invalid calculation. After observing many datasets with the great number of cabs trajectories points, we find a rule that the periodicity and stabilization of cabs group number change will be clearer as the number of cabs trajectories points increasing in some space, and the prediction accurate of cabs number change is also have relationship with the periodicity and stabilization. To validate this rule, we first model the periodicity and stabilization of cabs group number change. And a function is found to well fit the model value as the change of cabs group number, proving the rule we have found. Finally, we show that how this rule can be used to decrease the calculation time of valid traffic prediction. Experiment shows that the rule we discovered exists in Beijing and San Francisco datasets and the rule can conveniently and efficiently used to valid traffic prediction.
Generation and classification of PWM DC-to-DC converters

A method is presented by which generation and classification of pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) DC-to-DC converters can be effected. Fundamental blocks known as converter cells can be used to generate a plethora of converters leading to a number of useful new converter topologies. A classification of basic converters is proposed in terms of converter-cell generated families. >
Cascaded models and the DQE of flat-panel imagers: noise aliasing, secondary quantum noise, and reabsorption

Theoretical models of the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) provide insight into fundamental performance limitations and standards to which particular systems can be compared. Over the past several years, cascaded models have been developed to describe the DQE of several flat panel detectors. This article summarizes the governing principles of cascaded models, and conditions that must be satisfied to prevent misuse. It is shown how to incorporate: a) poly-energetic x rays; b) Swank noise; c) the Lubberts effect; d) reabsorption of K x rays from photo-electric interactions; e)secondary quantum noise; and, f)noise aliasing. Cascaded models involve cascading theoretical expressions of the noise-power spectrum (NPS) through multiple stages. Most expressions involve two or three terms, requiring the manipulation of algebraic expressions consisting of hundreds of terms. This practical limitation is alleviated using MATLAB's Simulink programming environment and symbolic math manipulations. It is shown that even for an 'indirect' detector, noise aliasing reduces the DQE by up to 50 percent at the cut-off frequency. Secondary quantum noise is generally a small effect, but reabsorption can reduce the DQE by 20-25 percent over a wide range of spatial frequencies.
Design and Analysis in Multiple-Scissor-Linkage Applied to the Robotics Arm

Keywords: MSL, scissor linkages, modularity, extending length, precise movement, robotics arm Abstract. Multiple-Scissor-Linkage (MSL) is kinematic mechanic, and to be a means for using two or more pairs of scissor linkages operating in different planes for moving a device in linear or nonlinear motions specifically. It is a modular component that constructs long extending, high precise movement and stronger robotic arms. It should reachmuch longer distance than conventional joint robotic arm because the multiply bar linkages like multiply arms connected one end to another.
EQUITY SHARING AS A (UNIQUE) LOCAL AGRARIAN REFORM EXPERIENCE: PERCEPTIONS OF FARM WORKERS / AANDELEVERDEUNGAS 'N(UNIEKE) PLAASLIKE LANDELIKE HERVORMINGSONDERVINDING: PERSEPSIES VAN PLAASWERKERS

This paper explores progress with the initial practical experience with agrarian reform in South Africa with special focus on the new ‘equity sharing’ model. It particularly discusses the current understanding and perceptions, and expectations of the beneficiaries, namely farm workers. A qualitative survey was done on two sites, one in Grabouw in the Western Cape, and the other in Badplaas in Mpumalangal, where equity schemes are currently at a pre-implementation phase.
Effect of Brain Training Game on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in Older Adults

Aim: To determine effects of Kinect- based games on neurocognitive functions in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Methodology: A quasi experimental pre-post trail was conducted on 18 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) older adults. The subjects were recruited to access cognitive impairment through purposive sampling technique. The inclusion criteria were elderly aged ≥ 50 years, both genders, able to read and write, whereas older adults with severe cognitive impairments, neurological disorders and un controlled comorbidities were excluded. Brain training was provided for 30 minutes with 5-minute warm-up time and 5-minute cool-down time for 6 weeks. Blind assessor measured readings at baseline and after six weeks. The outcome measures were Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), Trail making test A & B and verbal fluency test (Semantic &Phonemic). The data was analyzed at baseline and after six weeks of intervention Results: Significant improvements were observed in post-test measurements (p <0.05) in MMSE, MoCA, TMT A & B and verbal fluency (Semantic &Phonemic) tests after 6 weeks of treatment. Conclusion: Kinect-based virtual reality games are beneficial in improving cognitive abilities of older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Keywords: Cognitive training, Mild cognitive impairment, Montreal Cognitive Assessment
VISION ENHANCEMENT - CONCEPTS FOR THE FUTURE?

Driving a car under conditions of reduced vision like during nighttime, rain, snowfall or fog can create considerable discomfort and is moreover a contributing factor to quite a number of traffic accidents. Among these the striking but rather rare mass-collisions in dense fog have gained much public attention. In the framework of PROMETHEUS various companies started research to overcome the existing problems. The different approaches and demonstrator projects have been summed up under the name "vision enhancement". This paper concentrates on the system concepts which make use of the Infrared Technology, but the other concepts are also shortly described. Specific emphasis is put on results of theoretical and experimental research which has been performed by BMW and some external partners to investigate the potential of the Infrared Technology for a vision enhancement system in vehicles. (A) For the original paper in German see IRRD 329621. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 894848.
Reduced-order modelling of wind turbine airfoil unsteady aerodynamic loading

In this paper, three different reduced-order models (auto-regressive and moving average, Volterra series and a surrogate-based recurrence framework model) are presented for the prediction of the unsteady dynamic loading of wind turbine airfoils. A wind turbine blade section can experience unsteady aerodynamic loads when subjected to an unsteady aerodynamic environment. The generations of three reduced-order models for the evaluation of unsteady aerodynamic loads are investigated, with the different models used as a representation of linear or non-linear loading. The validity of the presented reduced-order models is assessed mainly by comparing the model output with unsteady time-accurate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The results reveal an encouraging agreement between the computational fluid dynamics simulations and the model predictions under different conditions. All three reduced-order models would therefore be useful in engineering conditioning for aeroelastic analysis and wind turbine design optimization.
Intrinsic Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot fiber sensor for temperature and strain measurements

This letter presents an intrinsic Fabry-Pe/spl acute/rot interferometric sensor fabricated by splicing a section of multimode fiber in between two single-mode fibers. The fabrication process only involves fusion splicing and cleaving. The sensor is analyzed and the issues in sensor fabrication are discussed. The sensor temperature and strain measurement performance is evaluated. The sensor may find its application in quasi-distributed sensing due to its low insertion loss.
Time Scale For Wave/Current Scour Below Pipelines

A non-dimensional formula has been developed for the time scale of the scour process below a marine pipeline, based on the presently available data. The main part of the data originates from ISVA. Both the current case and the pure-wave case are considered. The results indicate that the non-dimensional time scale is proportional to the -5/3 power of the Shields parameter. In the study, the time scale of scour, involving a change in the wave climate has also been investigated. The results indicate that the time scale is governed by the Shields parameter plus the two Keulegan-Carpenter numbers corresponding to the waves before and after the change takes place.
Spectral characteristics and correlation of dynamic wind forces on a super‐tall building

The 88‐storey Jin Mao Building located in Shanghai has a height of 420·5m and is the highest building in mainland China. Dynamic wind force components on the super‐tall building were measured by high‐frequency force balance technique in a boundary layer wind tunnel for the cases of an isolated Jin Mao Building and the existing surrounding condition under suburban and urban boundary layer flow configurations. Spectral characteristics of along‐wind and across‐wind components and, in particular, the cross‐correlation and coherence among various wind loading components are presented and discussed in detail. Furthermore, the effects of upstream terrain conditions and surrounding buildings on the spectra, cross‐correlation and coherence are investigated. The experimental results show that such effects are significant. Finally, an empirical formula for estimation of the across‐wind overturning moment spectrum for the super‐tall building is presented. Comparisons of the spectra determined by the proposed formula and those obtained from wind tunnel tests are made to examine the applicability of the proposed formula. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Target-Tracking System for Mobile Surveillance Robot Using CAMShift Image Processing Technique

기동형 경계 로봇은 차량 및 선박 등에 장착 되어 경계 감시 임무를 수행하는 국방 로봇으로서, 크게 사격 시스템, 카메라 시스템, 제어 시스템으로 구성되어지며, 뛰어난 기동성과 넓은 시야 각을 갖는다는 장점으로 인해 개발 실용화를 위한 연구들이 이루어지고 있다. 이것의 대표적인 예로써 이스라엘의 RCWS(Remote Control Weapon System), 노르웨이의 Protector M151, 한국의 Super aEgis 2 등을 꼽을 수 있다. 이러한 기동형 경계 로봇은 외란에 대한 안정화와 이동 목표물에 대한 대응 사격을 효율적으로 만들어주는 목표 추적 시스템을 필요로 한다. 하지만 기 개발된 시스템의 개발 내용들은 군사적인 이유로 알려지지 않고 있다. 목표 추적 시스템은 크게 영상 안정화와 목표물 추적에 대한 제어 알고리즘을 필요로 한다. 이와 관련하여 국내외 목표 추적 시스템에 대한 연구 동향을 살펴보면, 국외의 경우 항공 분야에서 사용되는 EOTS (Electro-Optical Targeting System)(1~3) 에 적용하기 위한 2 축 짐벌 형태의 목표 추적 시Key Words: Target-Tracking Control(목표추적 제어), Stabilization Control(안정화 제어), Mobile Surveillance Robot(기동형 경계 로봇) 초록: 기동형 경계 로봇의 목표 추적 시스템은 효율적인 경계 임무를 수행하는데 있어서 중요한 부분이다. 본 논문은 영상 장치를 포함한 3축 기동형 경계로봇의 영상 정보를 이용한 목표 추적 알고리즘을 제안하였다. 제안된 목표추적 알고리즘에서는 카메라 영상의 중심과 카메라 영상으로 포착된 목표물 중심 사이의 위치 에러를 이용하여 영상 장치의 목표 지향 벡터를 획득하였으며, 위치 에러를 획득하기 위하여 영상 처리 기법 중 하나인 CAMShift(Continuously Adaptive Mean Shift) 알고리즘을 적용하였다. 최종적으로, 목표 추적 알고리즘을 실험 모델에 적용해 봄으로써 실제 실험 환경에서의 목표 추적 알고리즘의 적용 타당성을 검증하였다. Abstract: Target-tracking systems are important for carrying out effective surveillance missions using mobile surveillance robots. In this paper, we propose a target-tracking algorithm using camera image data for a three-axis mobile surveillance robot and carry out an actual hardware test for verifying the proposed algorithm. The heading direction vector of a camera system is deduced from the position error between the viewfinder center and the object center in a camera image. The position error is obtained using the CAMShift(Continuously Adaptive Mean Shift) algorithm, an image processing technique. The performance test of an actual three-axis mobile surveillance robot was carried out for verifying the proposed target-tracking algorithm in a real environment.
Treatment of tobacco addiction – outline of issues

Introduction and Objective. Nicotine addiction syndrome is a state of nicotine dependence. The smoker cannot quit the addiction despite its harmful effects on health. The aim of the study was to briefly describe the methods used by physicians and psychologists to help patients quit smoking. Brief description of the state of knowledge. It is important to identify smokers (especially among patients with cardiological, pulmonary and cancerous diseases) to enable them to obtain advice and offer adequate treatment in order to quit smoking. Smokers should receive support and have an access to appropriate pharmacotherapy: nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline and buproprion. These drugs can be used, depending on the severity of addiction, as monotherapy or in combinations. The Fagerström questionnaire (6 items) is useful for assessing tobacco dependence. In quitting the addiction, motivation is important, and its strength may be assessed using the Schneider questionnaire (12 items). To be effective, addiction treatment should often take the form of both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. With regard to psychotherapy, good results can be achieved using cognitive-behavioural therapy based on learning processes. Conclusions. A smoker usually requires several attempts to recover from the addiction, and this is often a long-term process. It is often necessary to consult both a psychologist (appropriate psychotherapy) and a physician (to obtain pharmacotherapy). This combination of therapy provides the best results.
Novel approaches for generating and manipulating diploid strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Copyright © 2019 The Korean Society of Phycology 35 http://e-algae.org pISSN: 1226-2617 eISSN: 2093-0860 Novel approaches for generating and manipulating diploid strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Thamali Kariyawasam, Sunjoo Joo, Ursula Goodenough and Jae-Hyeok Lee* Department of Botany, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
Fabrication of Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW)-based Shielded Stripline using Silicon Anisotropic Wet-Etch and BCB-based Polymer Bonding

This paper reports on a fabrication of novel substrate integrated waveguide (SIW)-based shielded stripline applicable to the broadband transverse electromagnetic (TEM) single-mode propagation. We suggested a structure for half-SIW and half-shielded stripline, which combined through the benzocyclobutene (BCB) bonding layer. The electrical interconnection between the sidewall of anisotropic wet-etched silicon and patterned BCB layers is measured subsequent to the metalization on the side wall. The proposed SIW-based shielded stripline has great potential in terms of simple fabrication, integration with planar circuits and monolithic system fabricated on a SIW structure.
The missing magnetic flux in the HP memristor found

Ever since real-world two terminal memristor devices were created, detractors have derided them as not `true' Chua memristors because there is no magnetic flux in the system. This report shows that the flux is present and equal to the magnetic flux of the oxygen vacancies. This shows that the HP memristor is a `true' Chua memristor. The memristor description has been separated out into the memory function, which is the memrsitance described by Chua in 1971 and the conservation function, which is necessary to describe the whole HP memristor. As the memory function deals with the vacancy mobility and the measurable current is mostly electronic, it is apparent that a description of the HP memristor must include two charge carriers. From analysis of Stan William's model in terms of memory and conservation functions, a direct relation to Chua's original memristance equation and an approximation of magnetic flux have both been identified as being present in the original model. With this, the phenomenological model used by experimentalists and the mathematical model beloved by theoreticians have been combined into one.
Statistical Relation between Environmental Parameters in Ireland and Precipitation across UK

The relation was studied between the meteorological parameters in Ireland and the precipitation of UK by rainfall ratio Ro method. It was found that the surface temperature in Ireland had significant relation with the rainfall of UK. After discussing the pitfalls of Ro method that Ro could vary by a variance in the numerator or the denominator, and discussing whether variance of Ro was caused by the parameter in Ireland or the same parameter in UK, quantitative study showed that for each adding 1°C of the monthly surface temperature in Ireland, the monthly precipitation at 59 percent stations in UK would decrease by 3.8-12.1%.
Simple formulas for microstrip lines

A modification to earlier work is presented which allows for finite strip thickness in the calculation of microstrip impedance and line wavelength. It shows a considerable improvement in accuracy and scope over some earlier work which included strip thickness, but remains simple in form. Expressions are presented which allow calculation of Z and λg for any microstrip geometry and relative permittivity.