Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Gemin Associates of Survival Motor Neuron Are Required for Motor Function in Drosophila

Membership of the survival motor neuron (SMN) complex extends to nine factors, including the SMN protein, the product of the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) disease gene, Gemins 2–8 and Unrip. The best-characterised function of this macromolecular machine is the assembly of the Sm-class of uridine-rich small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) particles and each SMN complex member has a key role during this process. So far, however, only little is known about the function of the individual Gemin components in vivo. Here, we make use of the Drosophila model organism to uncover loss-of-function phenotypes of Gemin2, Gemin3 and Gemin5, which together with SMN form the minimalistic fly SMN complex. We show that ectopic overexpression of the dead helicase Gem3ΔN mutant or knockdown of Gemin3 result in similar motor phenotypes, when restricted to muscle, and in combination cause lethality, hence suggesting that Gem3ΔN overexpression mimics a loss-of-function. Based on the localisation pattern of Gem3ΔN, we predict that the nucleus is the primary site of the antimorphic or dominant-negative mechanism of Gem3ΔN-mediated interference. Interestingly, phenotypes induced by human SMN overexpression in Drosophila exhibit similarities to those induced by overexpression of Gem3ΔN. Through enhanced knockdown we also uncover a requirement of Gemin2, Gemin3 and Gemin5 for viability and motor behaviour, including locomotion as well as flight, in muscle. Notably, in the case of Gemin3 and Gemin5, such function also depends on adequate levels of the respective protein in neurons. Overall, these findings lead us to speculate that absence of any one member is sufficient to arrest the SMN-Gemins complex function in a nucleocentric pathway, which is critical for motor function in vivo.
Approaching Throughput Optimality With Limited Feedback in Multichannel Wireless Downlink Networks

This paper studies the allocation of feedback resources in the downlink of a frequency-division duplex (FDD) multichannel wireless system. We consider a downlink network with a single base station, L shared channels, and N mobile users. Throughput optimal algorithms like MaxWeight in general require the complete channel-state information (CSI) ( NL link states) for scheduling. Acquiring the complete CSI, however, is a prohibitive overhead in multichannel networks when the number of users is large. In this paper, we consider the scenario where the base station allocates only a limited amount of uplink resources for acquiring channel-state information. We first show that to support a (1-ε) fraction of the full throughput region (the throughput region with the complete CSI), the base station needs to acquire at least Θ((1-ε)L) link states at each time-slot. We then propose a Weight-Based Feedback allocation, named WBF, and show that WBF together with MaxWeight scheduling achieves a (1-ε) fraction of the full throughput region by acquiring Θ(L log[1/(ε)]) link states per time-slot. For i.i. d. on-off channels, we further prove that Θ(Llog[1/(ε)]) link states per time-slot is necessary for achieving a (1-ε) fraction of the full throughput region.
Thaw processes in ice-rich permafrost landscapes represented with laterally coupled tiles in a land surface model

Abstract. Earth system models (ESMs) are our primary tool for projecting future climate change, but their ability to represent small-scale land surface processes is currently limited. This is especially true for permafrost landscapes in which melting of excess ground ice and subsequent subsidence affect lateral processes which can substantially alter soil conditions and fluxes of heat, water, and carbon to the atmosphere. Here we demonstrate that dynamically changing microtopography and related lateral fluxes of snow, water, and heat can be represented through a tiling approach suitable for implementation in large-scale models, and we investigate which of these lateral processes are important to reproduce observed landscape evolution. Combining existing methods for representing excess ground ice, snow redistribution, and lateral water and energy fluxes in two coupled tiles, we show that the model approach can simulate observed degradation processes in two very different permafrost landscapes. We are able to simulate the transition from low-centered to high-centered polygons, when applied to polygonal tundra in the cold, continuous permafrost zone, which results in (i) a more realistic representation of soil conditions through drying of elevated features and wetting of lowered features with related changes in energy fluxes, (ii) up to 2 ∘C reduced average permafrost temperatures in the current (2000–2009) climate, (iii) delayed permafrost degradation in the future RCP4.5 scenario by several decades, and (iv) more rapid degradation through snow and soil water feedback mechanisms once subsidence starts. Applied to peat plateaus in the sporadic permafrost zone, the same two-tile system can represent an elevated peat plateau underlain by permafrost in a surrounding permafrost-free fen and its degradation in the future following a moderate warming scenario. These results demonstrate the importance of representing lateral fluxes to realistically simulate both the current permafrost state and its degradation trajectories as the climate continues to warm. Implementing laterally coupled tiles in ESMs could improve the representation of a range of permafrost processes, which is likely to impact the simulated magnitude and timing of the permafrost–carbon feedback.
City Research Online Delivering the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (lsvt) by Web Camera: a Feasibility Study Delivering the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (lsvt) by Web Camera: a Pilot Study

Background: Speech disorders are a feature of Parkinson’s disease, typically worsening as the disease progresses. The Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) was developed to address these difficulties. It targets vocal loudness as a means of increasing vocal effort and improving co-ordination across the subsystems of speech. Aims: Currently LSVT is not widely available, and there are practical difficulties associated with the delivery of an intensive treatment in an environment of resource constraints in the NHS. Delivery of LSVT over the Web may address some of these difficulties. Method: We report a feasibility study in which three individuals with speech disorders resulting from Parkinson’s disease received LSVT over the Internet, using broadband connection and a web camera. Participants were seen face to face for every fourth session in order to build a personal relationship, measure vocal sound pressure level (SPL) during treatment and to review and prepare homework tasks. All other sessions were delivered over the Internet. Results: Broadly similar treatment gains were found between individuals treated over the Internet and those treated face to face (Ramig et al, 2001a). Gains were maintained or improved at an assessment 2 months after the treatment. Conclusion: This feasibility study demonstrates that delivery of LSVT over the Internet may be both cost and treatment effective, and that a larger trial would be
Run-up of solitary waves on variable slopes

Adopting renewable energy technologies has been seen as a promising way to reduce CO2 emissions and deforestation. This paper investigates how social networks may affect renewable energy technology adoption. We distinguish two channels through which social networks may play a role: (i) the diffusion of information; and (ii) the diffusion of behavior. Most empirical studies fail to quantitatively separate the diffusion of information and behavior in social networks. We conduct a survey on biogas technology adopting in rural China to identify individuals’ egocentric information networks. We find that both the diffusion of information and behavior drive farmers’ technology adoption. Farmers with larger egocentric information networks and a larger fraction of known adopters are more likely to adopt the biogas technology. In addition, we collect data on several attributes of alters to explore the composition of social networks. We find heterogeneous social network effects across different types of alters. Alters who have close relationships with egos such as friends and relatives or that are trusted by egos affect egos’ adoption through the diffusion of information, while less trusted alters such as government officials affect egos’ adoption through their adoption behavior.
Chemical Properties and Shelf Life of Banana ( Musa sapientum L.) as Influenced by Different Postharvest Treatments

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the changes in the chemical properties of banana fruits and their shelf life as influenced by different postharvest treatments. There were two varieties viz. Amritasagar (VI) and Sabri (V2) and seven storage treatments viz.: control (open space, 30±2oC) (T0); perforated polyethylene, 30±2oC (T1); non-perforated polyethylene, 30±2oC (T2); benzyl adenine (BA 30 ppm, 30±2oC) (T3); gibberellic acid (GA3 150 ppm, 30±2oC) (T4); benzyl adenine (BA 30 ppm, 15°C ) (T5) and gibberellic acid (GA3 150 ppm, 15°C) (T6). A factorial experiment was laid out in the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Data were recorded on titratable acid content, total sugar content, reducing sugar content, non-reducing sugar content, total soluble solids and pulp pH. Among the chemical parameters, total soluble solids (TSS) and pH of pulp increased while titratable acidity decreased during storage in all the treated and untreated banana fruits. Among the treatments gibberellic acid (GA3 150 ppm, 15°C) treatment exhibited the best storage performance. The treatment combinations of Sabri with gibberellic acid (GA3 150 ppm, 15°C) showed the longest shelf life (16.25 days), whereas the lowest shelf life was in Amritasagar with control (open space, 30±2oC) treatment combination (6.78 days).
Optimization of Elastic Nonlinear Behavior Measurements of Ceramic Piezoelectric Resonators with Burst Excitation

A system of nonlinear measurement and nonlinear elastic characterization of resonators is presented, which increases the possibilities and characteristics of the other classic nonlinear characterization methods. This characterization has been necessary due to the use of resonators in power devices, where their behavior departs from the linear characteristics. The use of burst signals and a system of acquisition and data processing is proposed instead of impedance analyzers, thus avoiding the thermal effects associated with the high-signal measures, which are necessary for this characterization. The measures are repeated for different amplitudes and at the same frequency near the resonance by a single amplitude sweep, which is simpler and faster to carry out than the multiple frequency sweepings used in other methods. As a last resort, a variation on the proposed method, closer to the classical measures, is put forward, in which the resonance is ensured in all the measures. Special emphasis is placed on obtaining nonlinear characterization of the piezoceramic material in order to increase its optimization in the transducers in terms of both its use and its composition and structure.
Local Polynomial Estimation for Sensitivity Analysis on Models With Correlated Inputs

Sensitivity indexes when the inputs of a model are not independent are derived from local polynomial techniques. Two original estimators based on local polynomial smoothers are proposed. Both have good theoretical properties, which are illustrated through analytical examples. Comparison with the Bayesian approach developed by Oakley and O’Hagan (2004) is also performed. The two proposed estimators are used to carry out a sensitivity analysis on two real case models with correlated parameters.
Incomplete response in late-life depression: getting to remission

Incomplete response in the treatmen tof late-life depression is a large public health challenge: at least 50% of older people fail to respond adequately to first-line antidepressant pharmacotherapy, even under optimal treatment conditions. Treatment-resistant late-life depression (TRLLD) increases risk for early relapse, undermines adherence to treatment for coexisting medical disorders, amplifies disability and cognitive impairment, imposes greater burden on family caregivers, and increases the risk for early mortality, including suicide, Gettinq to and sustaininq remission is the primary goal of treatment yet there is a paucity of empirical data on how best to manage TRLLD. A pilot study by our group on aripiprazole augmentation in 24 incomplete responders to sequential SSRI and SRNI pharmacotherapy found that 50% remitted over 12 weeks with the addition of aripiprazole, and that remission was sustained in all participants during 6 months of continuation treatment In addition to controlled assessment, evidence is needed to support personalized treatment by testing the moderating role of clinical (eg, comorbid anxiety, medical burden, and executive impairment) and genetic (eg, selected polymorphisms in serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine genes) variables, while also controlling for variability in drug exposure. Such studies may advance us toward the goal of personalized treatment in late-life depression.
A comparison of larval, ovitrap and MosquiTRAP surveillance for Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti

In Brazil, the entomological surveillance of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti is performed by government-mandated larval surveys. In this study, the sensitivities of an adult sticky trap and traditional surveillance methodologies were compared. The study was performed over a 12-week period in a residential neighbourhood of the municipality of Pedro Leopoldo, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. An ovitrap and a MosquiTRAP were placed at opposite ends of each neighbourhood block (60 traps in total) and inspections were performed weekly. The study revealed significant correlations of moderate strength between the larval survey, ovitrap and MosquiTRAP measurements. A positive relationship was observed between temperature, adult capture measurements and egg collections, whereas precipitation and frequency of rainy days exhibited a negative relationship.
Passengers’ Flow Analysis And Security Issues In Airport Terminals Using Modeling & Simulation

The focus of this paper is to deal with passengers flow and security issues of an Italian airport terminal, the International airport of Lamezia Terme in Calabria (Italy). The objective is to analyze system performance under different scenarios through a simulation model implemented in AnylogicTM. After the modeling phase, the simulation model has been validated comparing simulation results with real system results. The authors use the simulation model for investigating system behavior under the effect different scenarios obtaining varying critical input parameters. The passengers average wait time for reaching the gate area measures system performance.
DNA Methylation, Epigenetics, and Evolution in Vertebrates: Facts and Challenges

DNA methylation is a key epigenetic modification in the vertebrate genomes known to be involved in biological processes such as regulation of gene expression, DNA structure and control of transposable elements. Despite increasing knowledge about DNA methylation, we still lack a complete understanding of its specific functions and correlation with environment and gene expression in diverse organisms. To understand how global DNA methylation levels changed under environmental influence during vertebrate evolution, we analyzed its distribution pattern along the whole genome in mammals, reptiles and fishes showing that it is correlated with temperature, independently on phylogenetic inheritance. Other studies in mammals and plants have evidenced that environmental stimuli can promote epigenetic changes that, in turn, might generate localized changes in DNA sequence resulting in phenotypic effects. All these observations suggest that environment can affect the epigenome of vertebrates by generating hugely different methylation patterns that could, possibly, reflect in phenotypic differences. We are at the first steps towards the understanding of mechanisms that underlie the role of environment in molding the entire genome over evolutionary times. The next challenge will be to map similarities and differences of DNA methylation in vertebrates and to associate them with environmental adaptation and evolution.
In search of fundamental discreteness in (2 + 1)-dimensional quantum gravity

Inspired by previous work in (2 + 1)-dimensional quantum gravity, which found evidence for a discretization of time in the quantum theory, we reexamine the issue for the case of pure Lorentzian gravity with vanishing cosmological constant and spatially compact universes of genus g ⩾ 2. Taking the Chern–Simons formulation with the Poincaré gauge group as our starting point, we identify a set of length variables corresponding to space- and timelike distances along geodesics in three-dimensional Minkowski space. These are Dirac observables, that is, functions on the reduced phase space, whose quantization is essentially unique. For both space- and timelike distance operators, the spectrum is continuous and not bounded away from zero.
Stacked OSTBC: Error Performance and Rate Analysis

It is well known that the Alamouti scheme is the only space-time code from orthogonal designs achieving the capacity of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication system with nT=2 transmit antennas and nR=1 receive antenna. In this paper, we propose the n-times stacked Alamouti scheme for nT=2n transmit antennas and show that this scheme achieves the capacity in the case of nR=1 receive antenna. This result may regarded as an extension of the Alamouti case. For the more general case of more than one receive antenna, we show that if the number of transmit antennas is higher than the number of receive antennas, we achieve a high portion of the capacity with this scheme. Further, we show that the MIMO capacity is at most twice the rate achieved with the proposed scheme for all signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). We derive lower and upper bounds for the rate achieved with this scheme and compare it with upper and lower bounds for the capacity. In addition to the capacity analysis based on the assumption of a coherent channel, we analyze the error rate performance of the stacked orthogonal space-time block code (OSTBC) with the optimal maximum-likelihood (ML) detector and with the suboptimal lattice-reduction (LR)-aided zero-forcing detector. We compare the error rate performance of the stacked OSTBC with spatial multiplexing (SM) and full-diversity achieving schemes. Finally, we illustrate the theoretical results by numerical simulations.
Does brandname influence perceived search result quality? Yahoo!

Improving the quality of search engine re-sults is the goal of costly efforts by major Web search engine companies. Using in situ side-by-side result set comparisons and random assignment of brandnames to result sets, we investigated whether perceptions of quality were inﬂuenced by brand association. In the ﬁrst experiment (15 searchers) we found no signiﬁcant preference for or against results labelled “Google” relative to those labelled “Yahoo! ”. In the second experiment (20 searchers) result sets were again generated by Google and Yahoo! but were randomly labelled “Ya-hoo! ” or “WebKumara” (a ﬁctitious name). Again, we found no signiﬁcant preference for one brandname label over the other. Contrary to previous ﬁndings, we found a statistically signiﬁcant preference for Google-generated results over those of Yahoo! when data from three separate experiments (total 70 subjects) was combined.
Modelling wall-flow diesel particulate filter regeneration processes

This research was aimed at providing a better understanding of regeneration processes in wall-flow diesel particulate filters (DPFs), with emphasis on the combustion of particulate matter (PM). A 1-D model was used to investigate the effects of inherent PM properties on DPF regeneration behaviour. These properties were mean particulate diameter, porosity and bulk density of the PM, as well as the kinetic parameters of PM oxidation, i.e. frequency factor and activation energy. A parametric study showed that the activation energy of the PM oxidation reaction was the most important parameter and this was followed by the associated frequency factor, bulk density and porosity and mean particulate diameter. Due to the importance of the kinetic parameters of the PM oxidation reactions, a new 1-D model with a multi-step reaction scheme that required no tuneable kinetic parameters for the PM oxidation reactions was developed. [Continues. ]
Fast neural networks for pattern detection using 2D-FFT

Recently, fast neural networks for object/face detection were presented in [1-3]. The speed up factor of these networks based on cross correlation in the frequency domain between the input image and the weights of the hidden layer. But, these equations given in [1-3] for conventional and fast neural networks are not valid for many reasons presented here. In this paper, correct equations for cross correlation in the spatial and frequency domains are presented. Furthermore, correct formulas for the number of computation steps required by conventional and fast neural networks given in [1-3] are introduced. A new formula for the speed up ratio is established. Also, corrections for the equations of fast multi scale object/face detection are given. Moreover, commutative cross correlation is achieved. Simulation results show that sub-image detection based on cross correlation in the frequency domain is faster than classical neural networks.
Effects of Adiposity and Prader-Willi Syndrome on Postexercise Heart Rate Recovery

Heart rate recovery (HRR) is an indicator of all-cause mortality in children and adults. We aimed to determine the effect of adiposity and Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), a congenital form of obesity, on HRR. Sixteen children of normal weight (NW = body fat % ≤85th percentile, 9.4 ± 1.1 y), 18 children with obesity (OB = body fat % >95th percentile, 9.3 ± 1.1 y), and 11 PWS youth (regardless of body fat %; 11.4 ± 2.5 y) completed peak and submaximal bike tests on separate visits. HRR was recorded one minute following peak and submaximal exercises. All groups displayed similar HRR from peak exercise, while NW (54 ± 16 beats) and OB (50 ± 12 beats) exhibited a significantly faster HRR from submaximal exercise than PWS (37 ± 14 beats). These data suggest that excess adiposity does not influence HRR in children, but other factors such as low cardiovascular fitness and/or autonomic dysfunction might be more influential.
Robust fault detection for Takagi-Sugeno discrete models: Application for a three-tank system

this paper, we present a fuzzy observer based on Takagi- Sugeno (TS) models, to estimate simultaneously the system state and the sensors faults of discrete time nonlinear systems. The method uses the technique of descriptor systems, by considering the sensor faults as auxiliary states variables. More precisely, This paper addresses the problem of index fault detection observer to ensure the sensitivity against the faults. The proposed method is based on the use of the Lyapunov theory to ensure the stability of the system. Necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained in terms of Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs), in order to determine the observer gains. An application of the fault estimation method on an hydraulic process with three tanks, using TS models is realized. Simulation and experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.