Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Architecture of Tameness in a Rat Model of Animal Domestication

A common feature of domestic animals is tameness—i.e., they tolerate and are unafraid of human presence and handling. To gain insight into the genetic basis of tameness and aggression, we studied an intercross between two lines of rats (Rattus norvegicus) selected over >60 generations for increased tameness and increased aggression against humans, respectively. We measured 45 traits, including tameness and aggression, anxiety-related traits, organ weights, and levels of serum components in >700 rats from an intercross population. Using 201 genetic markers, we identified two significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) for tameness. These loci overlap with QTL for adrenal gland weight and for anxiety-related traits and are part of a five-locus epistatic network influencing tameness. An additional QTL influences the occurrence of white coat spots, but shows no significant effect on tameness. The loci described here are important starting points for finding the genes that cause tameness in these rats and potentially in domestic animals in general.
Learning Sentence Ordering for Opinion Generation of Debate

We propose a sentence ordering method to help compose persuasive opinions for debating. In debate texts, support of an opinion such as evidence and reason typically follows the main claim. We focused on this claimsupport structure to order sentences, and developed a two-step method. First, we select from among candidate sentences a first sentence that is likely to be a claim. Second, we order the remaining sentences by using a ranking-based method. We tested the effectiveness of the proposed method by comparing it with a general-purpose method of sentence ordering and found through experiment that it improves the accuracy of first sentence selection by about 19 percentage points and had a superior performance over all metrics. We also applied the proposed method to a constructive speech generation task.
Restriction of IL-22–Producing T Cell Responses and Differential Regulation of Regulatory T Cell Compartments by Zinc Finger Transcription Factor Ikaros

Proper immune responses are needed to control pathogen infection at mucosal surfaces. IL-22–producing CD4+ T cells play an important role in controlling bacterial infection in the gut; however, transcriptional regulation of these cells remains elusive. In this study, we show that mice with targeted deletion of the fourth DNA-binding zinc finger of the transcription factor Ikaros had increased IL-22–producing, but not IL-17–producing, CD4+ T cells in the gut. Adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells from these Ikaros-mutant mice conferred enhanced mucosal immunity against Citrobacter rodentium infection. Despite an intact in vivo thymic-derived regulatory T cell (Treg) compartment in these Ikaros-mutant mice, TGF-β, a cytokine well known for induction of Tregs, failed to induce Foxp3 expression in Ikaros-mutant CD4+ T cells in vitro and, instead, promoted IL-22. Aberrant upregulation of IL-21 in CD4+ T cells expressing mutant Ikaros was responsible, at least in part, for the enhanced IL-22 expression in a Stat3-dependent manner. Genetic analysis using compound mutations further demonstrated that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, but not RORγt, was required for aberrant IL-22 expression by Ikaros-mutant CD4+ T cells, whereas forced expression of Foxp3 was sufficient to inhibit this aberrant cytokine production. Together, our data identified new functions for Ikaros in maintaining mucosal immune homeostasis by restricting IL-22 production by CD4+ T cells.
A Q-band direct divide-by-4 injection-locked frequency divider with quadrature outputs

A divide-by-4 injection-locked frequency divider is designed for applications in the millimeter-wave frequency range. The proposed circuit also features in quadrature phase outputs by using a quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator. The input signal is injected into the common-mode node at the tail current source directly. Implemented in a 0.13 µm CMOS technology, the core circuit consumes dc power of 3.66mW with 1.2 V supply voltage. The operation range achieves 1.95 GHz. The entire die occupies an area of 974×726 um2.
Graph Theory based multicast caching for better energy saving in dense small cell networks

Endowed with the potential of context-awareness and proactive networking, caching popular content files locally at the wireless edge is a promising way to handle the growing traffic demand in the next 5G networks. It also helps boost the spectral efficiency and reduce the energy consumption in the network. However, various factors affect the Energy Efficiency (EE) like power consumption, backhaul capacity, content popularity and cache capacity at the base stations. In this paper, we propose a new solution of multicast caching in dense small cell networks based on Graph Theory in order to enhance the EE in the system. More precisely, we identify the condition when a group of user can benefit from multicast caching at a lower energy cost. Special attention is also paid to the number of small base stations which are involved in the graph to ensure a tradeoff between EE and cache size. Numerical results show that multicast caching based on our proposed graph can save the energy consumption in presence of massive content demand as well as for an increasing number of cached files at the base stations.
Animal Models for HIV Cure Research

The HIV-1/AIDS pandemic continues to spread unabated worldwide, and no vaccine exists within our grasp. Effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been developed, but ART cannot clear the virus from the infected patient. A cure for HIV-1 is badly needed to stop both the spread of the virus in human populations and disease progression in infected individuals. A safe and effective cure strategy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection will require multiple tools, and appropriate animal models are tools that are central to cure research. An ideal animal model should recapitulate the essential aspects of HIV pathogenesis and associated immune responses, while permitting invasive studies, thus allowing a thorough evaluation of strategies aimed at reducing the size of the reservoir (functional cure) or eliminating the reservoir altogether (sterilizing cure). Since there is no perfect animal model for cure research, multiple models have been tailored and tested to address specific quintessential questions of virus persistence and eradication. The development of new non-human primate and mouse models, along with a certain interest in the feline model, has the potential to fuel cure research. In this review, we highlight the major animal models currently utilized for cure research and the contributions of each model to this goal.
Systematic Software Development: A State of the Practice Report from Germany

The speed of innovation and the global allocation of resources to accelerate development or to reduce cost put pressure on the software industry. In the global competition, especially so-called high-price countries have to present arguments why the higher development cost is justified and what makes these countries an attractive host for software companies. Often, high-quality engineering and excellent quality of products, e.g., Machinery and equipment, are mentioned. Yet, the question is: Can such arguments be also found for the software industry? We aim at investigating the degree of professionalism and systematization of software development to draw a map of strengths and weaknesses. To this end, we conducted as a first step an exploratory survey in Germany, presented in this paper. In this survey, we focused on the perceived importance of the two general software engineering process areas project- and quality management and their implementation in practice. So far, our results suggest that the necessity for a systematic software development is well recognized, while software development still follows an ad-hoc rather than a systematized style. Our results provide initial findings, which we finally use to elaborate a set of working hypotheses. Those hypotheses allow to steer the adaptation of our instrument in the future to eventually facilitate replications toward a more comprehensive theory on systematic globally distributed software development in practice.
Evaluation of Hemodynamic Response Function in Vision and Motor Brain Regions for the Young and Elderly Adults

Introduction: Prior studies comparing Hemodynamic Response Function (HRF) in the young and elderly adults based on fMRI data have reported inconsistent findings for brain vision and motor regions in healthy aging. It is shown that the averaging method employed in all previous works has caused this inconsistency. The averaging is so sensitive to outliers and noise. However, fMRI data are obscured with a major contribution of noise particularly in the elderly case. Methods: Deconvolution algorithm is here proposed for HRF extraction to achieve more robustness against noise. In spite of earlier works, proposed deconvolution algorithm yields compatible HRF results using either original or denoised fMRI data, though a large percentage of selected active voxels change in the latter case. In the current study, event-related fMRI data have been used for 18 subjects (8 young and 10 elderly adults) with a simple visual and motor task of pressing a key with index in response to the visual presentation of the word tap. Considering anatomically-defined vision and motor regions and preprocessing steps in FSL and SPM, the activated voxels have been selected according to t-test for which HRF is estimated using deconvolution method. Results: Experimental results demonstrate that HRF peak amplitudes do not differ significantly (P=0.8) in the vision region for the young and the elderly. In motor region, the HRF peak significantly increases for the young compared to the elderly (P<0.03). Repeating the procedure on the denoised fMRI data using MDL algorithm, the same results have been obtained. Discussion: In this study, a comparative study has been realized on the hemodynamic response properties associated with the young and the elderly adults on a simple visual and motor task.
Efficient algorithms for polygon to trapezoid decomposition and trapezoid corner stitching

In non-Manhattan geometry layout extraction, polygon to trapezoid decomposition is an indispensable step. Its efficiency and the organization of generated trapezoids significantly affect the performance of layout extractors. We present a new polygon to trapezoid decomposition algorithm used in our layout extractor iLEX. The concept of edge pair and scanline interval are introduced to provide improved efficiency over conventional scanline algorithms. Definitions for trapezoid corner stitches are provided as well as integrated algorithms on corner stitching trapezoids generated. Complexity analysis shows that our scanline algorithm has an expected computation time of &Ogr;(n log n), and an expected space of &Ogr;(√n), where n is the number of non-vertical edges in the given layout.
Invertible piecewise linear approximations for color reproduction

We consider the use of linear splines with variable knots for the approximation of unknown functions from data, motivated by control and estimation problems arising in color systems management. Unlike most popular nonlinear-in-parameters representations, piecewise linear (PL) functions can be simply inverted in a closed form. For the one-dimensional case, we present a study comparing PL and neural network (NN) approximations for several function families. Preliminary results suggest that PL, in addition to their analytical benefits, are at least competitive with NN in terms of sum square error, computational effort and training time.
Morphological Changes in the Overall Mycobacterium tuberculosisH37Ra Cell Shape and Cytoplasm Homogeneity due to Mutellina purpurea L. Essential Oil and Its Main Constituents

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimycobacterial activity of the essential oil (EO) of Mutellina purpurea L. and its main constituents against the M. tuberculosis H37Ra strain. Materials and Methods: The M. purpurea EO was obtained by hydrodistillation, while its main constituents were purchased. The minimal inhibitory concentration values were determined by the log2 dilution method. Visualization of the effects of the tested substances on M. tuberculosis was performed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Mathematical shape descriptors such as area, circularity, aspect ratio and roundness were calculated to describe morphological changes in bacterial cell shape. Results: The EO of M.purpurea and all substances tested in this experiment showed a significant antimycobacterial activity. The most active was α-pinene followed by bisabolol and myrcene (8, 16 and 32 µg/ml, respectively). The EO and limonene exhibited the same antimicrobial activity (64 µg/ml). The TEM images and shape descriptors showed significant changes in the overall tuberculosis cell shape and cytoplasm homogeneity (uniformity and consistency) Conclusions: In this study, the low molecular weight compounds of mono- and sesquiterpenes penetrated/destabilized the complex mycobacterial cell wall and decreased its viability. There is a need for further experiments to explain the mechanism of action of these small particles.
Toll-like receptor 4 is required for α-synuclein dependent activation of microglia and astroglia

Alpha‐synucleinopathies (ASP) are neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by accumulation of misfolded α‐synuclein, selective neuronal loss, and extensive gliosis. It is accepted that microgliosis and astrogliosis contribute to the disease progression in ASP. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) are expressed on cells of the innate immune system, including glia, and TLR4 dysregulation may play a role in ASP pathogenesis. In this study we aimed to define the involvement of TLR4 in microglial and astroglial activation induced by different forms of α‐synuclein (full length soluble, fibrillized, and C‐terminally truncated). Purified primary wild type (TLR4+/+) and TLR4 deficient (TLR4−/−) murine microglial and astroglial cell cultures were treated with recombinant α‐synuclein and phagocytic activity, NFκB nuclear translocation, cytokine release, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were measured. We show that TLR4 mediates α‐synuclein‐induced microglial phagocytic activity, pro‐inflammatory cytokine release, and ROS production. TLR4−/− astroglia present a suppressed pro‐inflammatory response and decreased ROS production triggered by α‐synuclein treatment. However, the uptake of α‐synuclein by primary astroglia is not dependent on TLR4 expression. Our results indicate the C‐terminally truncated form as the most potent inductor of TLR4‐dependent glial activation. The current findings suggest that TLR4 plays a modulatory role on glial pro‐inflammatory responses and ROS production triggered by α‐synuclein. In contrast to microglia, the uptake of alpha‐synuclein by astroglia is not dependent on TLR4. Our data provide novel insights into the mechanisms of α‐synuclein‐induced microglial and astroglial activation which may have an impact on understanding the pathogenesis of ASP. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Real-time Global Stereo Matching Using Hierarchical Belief Propagation

In this paper, we present a belief propagation based global algorithm that generates high quality results while maintaining real-time performance. To our knowledge, it is the first BP based global method that runs at real-time speed. Our efficiency performance gains mainly from the parallelism of graphics hardware,which leads to a 45 times speedup compared to the CPU implementation. To qualify the accurancy of our approach, the experimental results are evaluated on the Middlebury data sets, showing that our approach is among the best (ranked first in the new evaluation system) for all real-time approaches. In addition, since the running time of general BP is linear to the number of iterations, adopting a large number of iterations is not feasible for practical applications. Hence a novel approach is proposed to adaptively update pixel cost. Unlike general BP methods, the running time of our proposed algorithm dramatically converges.
The General Theory of Marketing Ethics: A Revision and Three Questions

The general theory of marketing ethics, first published in the Journal of Macromarketing by Hunt and Vitell (1986), has been the focus of much discussion and empirical testing. As a result, the theory was revised in 1993. This article overviews the 1993 revision of the model and addresses three questions that are often asked by those who use the model in the classroom and/or in research: (1) What is the justification for using normative ethical theory as a starting point for positing a positive ethical theory? (2) Is the Hunt Vitell (H-V) model a causal model, that is, is each concept in the model a construct to be measured? (3) How, specifically, can the H-V theory be used to teach marketing and business ethics?
THE CURRENT STATUS OF ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA ISOLATED FROM VARIOUS CLINICAL SAMPLES

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been emerged as an important pathogen and is one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality among hospital patients. Because of changing antibiotic sensitivity pattern, knowledge of current status of drug resistant is very important in clinical practice specifically in treatment of critically ill. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 2811 samples were tested during study period. All of them were subjected to direct microscopy and culture for identification & isolation of Ps. aeruginosa. Isolated colonies of Ps. aeruginosa were further subjected to antibiotic sensitivity testing for 12 routine antipseudomonal drugs. The isolates which are resistant to these drugs were further tested for 12 higher antibiotics. RESULTS: Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from 228 (15.83%) samples. 53 (23.24%) isolates were resistant to the 12 routine anti-pseudomonal drugs. Out of 53 isolates, 16 (30.18%) isolates were resistant to all drugs tested. Maximum resistant isolates(9, 56.25%) were obtained from pus samples.CONCLUSION: It is evident from the study that nowadays Ps. aeruginosa is becoming less sensitive to cephalosporins, imipenem, aminoglycosides and β-lactamase inhibitors. To prevent the selection and spread of the resistant bacteria, it is critically important to have strict antibiotic policies.
Long-term Growth and Persistence of Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii) Seedlings in a California Oak Savanna

ABSTRACT We report on growth and survivorship of two cohorts of blue oaks Quercus douglasii Hook. & Arn. (Fagaceae) monitored at Hastings Reservation in Monterey County, California, the first growing in an unprotected old field and measured as seedlings in 1965 and the second planted as acorns in 1985 in several sites differing in their degree of protection from grazing. Growth of all individuals was extremely slow: among those surviving in the first cohort, mean (± SD) height in 2006 was only 76.7 ± 45.0 cm for an average growth rate of 1.8 cm yr−1, and only one of the original 73 oaks had grown taller than 1.5 m while one was still a seedling 28 cm in height 41 yr after being first marked. Of the second cohort, mean height 21 yr after planting was 54.3 ± 31.4 cm. None of these latter individuals had grown out of the sapling stage while 25% were still seedlings < 30 cm in height. Growth of this second cohort was significantly greater when protected from grazing and when growing in the open rather than in the shade. Although growth was slow, survivorship of oaks first measured in 1965 was high, indicting that individuals can live for decades despite significant grazing pressure. Our results confirm the difficulties of inferring age from size of blue oaks, since individuals just achieving the height at which they are typically cored may be 50 or more years old. They also indicate that regeneration, although very slow, can occur in open oak savannas in California despite significant grazing pressure. Whether the observed amount of regeneration is sufficient for long-term sustainability will require continued monitoring and modeling of oak demography.
Developmental and Regional Studies of the Metabolism of Inositol 1,4,5‐Trisphosphate in Rat Brain

Coupling of CNS receptors to phosphoinositide turnover has previously been found to vary with both age and brain region. To determine whether the metabolism of the second messenger inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate also displays such variations, activities of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate 5′‐phosphatase and 3′‐kinase were measured in developing rat cerebral cortex and adult rat brain regions. The 5′‐phosphatase activity was relatively high at birth (∼50% of adult values) and increased to adult levels by 2 weeks postnatal. In contrast, the 3′‐kinase activity was low at birth and reached ∼50% of adult levels by 2 weeks postnatal. In the adult rat, activities of the 3′‐kinase were comparable in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, whereas much lower activities were found in hypothalamus and pons/medulla. The 5′‐phosphatase activities were similar in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and pons/medulla, whereas 5‐to 10‐fold higher activity was present in the cerebellum. The cerebellum is estimated to contain 50–60% of the total inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate 5′‐phosphatase activity present in whole adult rat brain. The localization of the enriched 5′‐phosphatase activity within the cerebellum was examined. Application of a histochemical lead‐trapping technique for phosphatase indicated a concentration of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate 5′‐phosphatase activity in the cerebellar molecular layer. Further support for this conclusion was obtained from studies of Purkinje cell‐deficient mutant mice, in which a marked decrement of cerebellar 5′‐phosphatase was observed. These results suggest that the metabolic fate of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate depends on both brain region and stage of development.