Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intraspecific Combinations of Flower and Leaf Volatiles Act Together in Attracting Hawkmoth Pollinators

Insects pinpoint mates, food and oviposition sites by olfactory cues. Recognizing and localizing a suitable target by olfaction is demanding. Odor sources emit characteristic blends of compounds that have to be identified against an environmentally derived olfactory background. This background, however, does not necessarily disturb the localization of a source. Rather, the contrary. Sex pheromones become more attractive to male moths when being presented against a relevant plant background. Here we asked whether such olfactory coaction also characterizes foraging cues. The tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta feeds on nectar from wild tobacco Nicotiana attenuata and sacred datura Datura wrightii flowers. We tested how leaf-derived volatile blends as a background affect the moths' approach to flower blends. We found coaction when a flower blend was presented against a conspecific leaf volatile background but not when the blend was presented against volatiles emitted by the other host plant or by a non-host plant. Hence, our results reveal a species-specific coaction between flower blend and leaf volatile background. The ability to integrate information from different odor sources on one plant might provide the moth with a fine-grained analysis of food site quality.
A Fast Method for Comparing Braids

Abstract We describe a new method for comparing braid words which relies both on the automatic structure of the braid groups and on the existence of a linear ordering on braids. This syntactical algorithm is a direct generalization of the classical words reduction used in the description of free groups, and is more efficient in practice than all previously known methods.
Short- and Long-term Evolutionary Dynamics of Bacterial Insertion Sequences: Insights from Wolbachia Endosymbionts

Transposable elements (TE) are one of the major driving forces of genome evolution, raising the question of the long-term dynamics underlying their evolutionary success. Long-term TE evolution can readily be reconstructed in eukaryotes, thanks to many degraded copies constituting genomic fossil records of past TE proliferations. By contrast, bacterial genomes usually experience high sequence turnover and short TE retention times, thereby obscuring ancient TE evolutionary patterns. We found that Wolbachia bacterial genomes contain 52–171 insertion sequence (IS) TEs. IS account for 11% of Wolbachia wRi, which is one of the highest IS genomic coverage reported in prokaryotes to date. We show that many IS groups are currently expanding in various Wolbachia genomes and that IS horizontal transfers are frequent among strains, which can explain the apparent synchronicity of these IS proliferations. Remarkably, >70% of Wolbachia IS are nonfunctional. They constitute an unusual bacterial IS genomic fossil record providing direct empirical evidence for a long-term IS evolutionary dynamics following successive periods of intense transpositional activity. Our results show that comprehensive IS annotations have the potential to provide new insights into prokaryote TE evolution and, more generally, prokaryote genome evolution. Indeed, the identification of an important IS genomic fossil record in Wolbachia demonstrates that IS elements are not always of recent origin, contrary to the conventional view of TE evolution in prokaryote genomes. Our results also raise the question whether the abundance of IS fossils is specific to Wolbachia or it may be a general, albeit overlooked, feature of prokaryote genomes.
Virtual machine remote detection method using network timestamp in cloud computing

As any new technology advancement, cloud computing also creates disruptive possibilities and security risk potentials. Virtualization which are the engine that drives cloud computing turns the data center into self-managing, highly scalable, highly available and pools of easily consumable resources. The increase in virtualization and usage of virtual machines (VM) in cloud computing environment has attracted a lot of attention from the computer security research community on the potential treats that could occurs from vast use of virtual machines in cloud computing. In this paper, methods for detecting VM using remote IP and ICMP packet timestamp detection methods and the timestamp behavior are studied, tested and investigated to determine either the problem still exist in high performance cloud computing infrastructure. The results from this study shows that there were distinguishable differences in the timestamp replies behaviors received from VM and non-VM machines even in a high performance private cloud computing environment. These results prove a significant potential that timestamp detection method could be exploited by malware as a VM detection method even in high performance cloud computing infrastructure. From the finding of this study, we proposed theory for the stand-alone environment to reply timestamp in such differences similar to the VM.
Suicide and Life Insurance 1

In this paper, we investigate the nexus between life insurance and suicide behavior using OECD cross-country data from 1980 to 2002. Through semiparametric instrumental variable regressions with fixed effects, we find that for the majority of observations, there exists a positive relationship between suicide rate and life insurance density (premium per capita). Since life insurance policies pay death benefits even in suicide cases after the suicide exemption period, the presence of adverse selection and moral hazard suggests an incentive effect that leads to this positive relationship. The novelty of our analysis lies in the use of cross-country variations in the length of the suicide exemption period in life insurance policies as the identifying instrument for life insurance density. Our results provide compelling evidence suggesting the existence of adverse selection and moral hazards in life insurance markets in OECD countries.
ENDPOINT L → L BOUNDS FOR INTEGRATION ALONG POLYNOMIAL CURVES

We establish strong-type endpoint L(R) → L(R) bounds for the operator given by convolution with affine arclength measure on polynomial curves. The bounds established depend only on the dimension d and the degree of the polynomial. This is a generalization of work carried out by Dendrinos, Laghi, and Wright in dimensions 2 and 3.
Global Phylogenomic Analysis Disentangles the Complex Evolutionary History of DNA Replication in Archaea

The archaeal machinery responsible for DNA replication is largely homologous to that of eukaryotes and is clearly distinct from its bacterial counterpart. Moreover, it shows high diversity in the various archaeal lineages, including different sets of components, heterogeneous taxonomic distribution, and a large number of additional copies that are sometimes highly divergent. This has made the evolutionary history of this cellular system particularly challenging to dissect. Here, we have carried out an exhaustive identification of homologs of all major replication components in over 140 complete archaeal genomes. Phylogenomic analysis allowed assigning them to either a conserved and probably essential core of replication components that were mainly vertically inherited, or to a variable and highly divergent shell of extra copies that have likely arisen from integrative elements. This suggests that replication proteins are frequently exchanged between extrachromosomal elements and cellular genomes. Our study allowed clarifying the history that shaped this key cellular process (ancestral components, horizontal gene transfers, and gene losses), providing important evolutionary and functional information. Finally, our precise identification of core components permitted to show that the phylogenetic signal carried by DNA replication is highly consistent with that harbored by two other key informational machineries (translation and transcription), strengthening the existence of a robust organismal tree for the Archaea.
Arp2/3 and VASP Are Essential for Fear Memory Formation in Lateral Amygdala

Abstract The actin cytoskeleton is involved in key neuronal functions such as synaptic transmission and morphogenesis. However, the roles and regulation of actin cytoskeleton in memory formation remain to be clarified. In this study, we unveil the mechanism whereby actin cytoskeleton is regulated to form memory by exploring the roles of the major actin-regulatory proteins Arp2/3, VASP, and formins in long-term memory formation. Inhibition of Arp2/3, involved in actin filament branching and neuronal morphogenesis, in lateral amygdala (LA) with the specific inhibitor CK-666 during fear conditioning impaired long-term, but not short-term, fear memory. The inactive isomer CK-689 had no effect on memory formation. We observed that Arp2/3 is colocalized with the actin-regulatory protein profilin in LA neurons of fear-conditioned rats. VASP binding to profilin is needed for profilin-mediated stabilization of actin cytoskeleton and dendritic spine morphology. Microinjection of poly-proline peptide [G(GP5)3] into LA, to interfere with VASP binding to profilin, impaired long-term but not short-term fear memory formation. Control peptide [G(GA5)3] had no effect. Inhibiting formins, which regulate linear actin elongation, in LA during fear conditioning by microinjecting the formin-specific inhibitor SMIFH2 into LA had no effect on long-term fear memory formation. We conclude that Arp2/3 and VASP, through the profilin binding site, are essential for the formation of long-term fear memory in LA and propose a model whereby these proteins subserve cellular events, leading to memory consolidation.
A Business Model for Personalized Promotion Systems on Using WLAN Localization and NFC Techniques

Although wireless local area networks (WLAN) have been shown to be an effective technique for localization of moving objects, their potential for business applications still have a lot of rooms for exploration. In this paper, we propose a novel business model for sales promotion in retail chain stores with the use of WLAN localization and near field communication (NFC) technologies. The objectives of the business model are to increase the flow volume of customers into the retail chain stores and their incentives in purchasing selected items in the stores. In the proposed business model, the NFC technology is used as the first mean to motivate customers to come to the stores. Then, with the use of WLAN, the movement behavior of the customers, who are carrying smart phones, within the stores is captured and maintained in a movement database. By exploring the movement behavior of a customer, personalized promotion and marketing strategies can then be applied to increase the incentive of the customer for purchasing his interested items when he enters the stores again. In addition, we also propose an enhanced R-tree for indexing the data items maintained in the movement database and to support various types of spatial management and marketing queries to maximize the utilization of space in a store for displaying the sales items.
Media Diet Homogeneity in a Fragmented Media Landscape

ABSTRACT This study assesses the nature of selective exposure and avoidance behaviors among political liberals and conservatives using a survey of 351 American citizens obtained through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Analyses of a new “homogeneity of media diet” measure suggest that although liberals and conservatives consume a comparable total number of media sources, the homogeneity of those media sources is higher among liberals than it is among conservatives. In the sample examined here, liberals were significantly more likely than conservatives to selectively attend to ideologically onsonant media sources and were significantly more likely than conservatives to selectively avoid ideologically discrepant media sources. Analyses include a validity test of the self-reported selective exposure used by Pew and others, as well as an examination of partisan perceptions of the ideological leanings of various media sources. Results indicate that conservatives are more likely than liberals to rate neutral media sources (e.g., CNN, USA Today, and network news broadcasts) as ideologically biased. Meanwhile, liberals are more likely than conservatives to perceive the bias in their ideologically consonant media sources. Implications for future studies of selective exposure and avoidance—and democratic theory in general—are discussed.
Effect of porosity on the thermal expansion coefficient : A discussion on the paper ‘ Effects of mineral admixtures on the thermal expansion properties of hardened cement paste ’ by

A discussion is presented on the effect of porosity change on the thermal expansion coefficient of porous materials. It is shown that both drained and undrained thermal expansion coefficients normally increase with porosity increase. Consequently the reduction of the thermal expansion coefficient with the porosity increase, as obtained in the experimental results of Shui et al. (Constr. Build. Mater. (2010), 24(9), 17611767), can not be considered as a general trend for the behaviour of porous materials.
Robot control without velocity measurements: new theory and experimental results

Most robust control schemes for rigid robots assume velocities measurements to be available. Although it is possible to measure velocities by using tachometers, this increases costs, and the signals delivered may be contaminated with noise. Since the use of encoders allows reading joint position pretty accurately, sometimes it is desirable to estimate joint velocities through an observer. This paper presents a robust control scheme designed in conjunction with a linear observer. Uniform ultimate boundedness for the tracking and observation errors are guaranteed. Experiments are included to support the theoretical results and to show that the performance of the new control-observer law is better, in comparison with well-known algorithms reported in the literature.
COL4A1 Mutations Cause Ocular Dysgenesis, Neuronal Localization Defects, and Myopathy in Mice and Walker-Warburg Syndrome in Humans

Muscle-eye-brain disease (MEB) and Walker Warburg Syndrome (WWS) belong to a spectrum of autosomal recessive diseases characterized by ocular dysgenesis, neuronal migration defects, and congenital muscular dystrophy. Until now, the pathophysiology of MEB/WWS has been attributed to alteration in dystroglycan post-translational modification. Here, we provide evidence that mutations in a gene coding for a major basement membrane protein, collagen IV alpha 1 (COL4A1), are a novel cause of MEB/WWS. Using a combination of histological, molecular, and biochemical approaches, we show that heterozygous Col4a1 mutant mice have ocular dysgenesis, neuronal localization defects, and myopathy characteristic of MEB/WWS. Importantly, we identified putative heterozygous mutations in COL4A1 in two MEB/WWS patients. Both mutations occur within conserved amino acids of the triple-helix-forming domain of the protein, and at least one mutation interferes with secretion of the mutant proteins, resulting instead in intracellular accumulation. Expression and posttranslational modification of dystroglycan is unaltered in Col4a1 mutant mice indicating that COL4A1 mutations represent a distinct pathogenic mechanism underlying MEB/WWS. These findings implicate a novel gene and a novel mechanism in the etiology of MEB/WWS and expand the clinical spectrum of COL4A1-associated disorders.
Cultural-linguistic test adaptations: Guidelines for selection, alteration, use, and review

In 1991, Bracken and Barona wrote an article for School Psychology International focusing on state of the art procedures for translating and using tests across multiple languages. Considerable progress has been achieved in this area over the 25 years between that publication and today. This article seeks to provide a more current set of suggestions for altering tests originally developed for other cultures and/or languages. Beyond merely describing procedures for linguistic translations, the authors provide suggestions on how to alter, use, and review tests as part of a cultural-linguistic adaptation process. These suggestions are described in a step-by-step manner that is usable both by test adapters and by consumers of adapted tests.
An Average Classification Algorithm

Many classification algorithms produce a classifier that is a weighted average of kernel evaluations. When working with a high or infinite dimensional kernel, it is imperative for speed of evaluation and storage issues that as few training samples as possible are used in the kernel expansion. Popular existing approaches focus on altering standard learning algorithms, such as the Support Vector Machine, to induce sparsity, as well as post-hoc procedures for sparse approximations. Here we adopt the latter approach. We begin with a very simple classifier, given by the kernel mean $$ f(x) = \frac{1}{n} \sum\limits_{i=i}^{n} y_i K(x_i,x) $$ We then find a sparse approximation to this kernel mean via herding. The result is an accurate, easily parallelized algorithm for learning classifiers.
Dual-task interference in simple tasks: data and theory.

People often have trouble performing 2 relatively simple tasks concurrently. The causes of this interference and its implications for the nature of attentional limitations have been controversial for 40 years, but recent experimental findings are beginning to provide some answers. Studies of the psychological refractory period effect indicate a stubborn bottleneck encompassing the process of choosing actions and probably memory retrieval generally, together with certain other cognitive operations. Other limitations associated with task preparation, sensory-perceptual processes, and timing can generate additional and distinct forms of interference. These conclusions challenge widely accepted ideas about attentional resources and probe reaction time methodologies. They also suggest new ways of thinking about continuous dual-task performance, effects of extraneous stimulation (e.g., stop signals), and automaticity. Implications for higher mental processes are discussed.
Cognitive effects associated with frequency and onset of sports related concussions

iv TABLE OF CONTENTS . v LIST OF TABLES . vii LIST OF FIGURES . viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . ix INTRODUCTION . 1 Background . 1 Statement of the Problem . 2 Hypothesis. 3 Objectives and specific aims . 3 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE . 4 Overview . 4 Existing Research. 15 METHODS . 24 Study design . 24
A novel saliency measure using combined spatial redundancy and local appearance

In this paper, we present a novel approach to saliency detection. The method we propose here aims at synthesizing common knowledge of saliency in an image. We define a visually salient region with following two parameters; the spatial redundancy and its local appearance. The former is its probability of occurrence within the image, which is a quantification of the “rarity” of the concerned region, whereas the latter defines how much information is contained within the region, and it can be quantified using the entropy. By combining the global spatial redundancy measure and local entropy, we can achieve a simple, yet robust measure. We evaluated and compared it to Itti’s and the spectral residual methods, and it has shown a significant improvement of performance.
Exploring Alternatives during Requirements Analysis

Goal-oriented requirements analysis techniques provide ways to refine organizational and technical objectives, to more effectively explore alternatives during requirements definition. After selecting a set of alternatives to achieve these objectives, you can elaborate on them during subsequent phases to make them more precise and complete. The authors argue that goal-oriented analysis complements and strengthens traditional requirements analysis techniques by offering a means for capturing and evaluating alternative ways of meeting business goals. They detail the five main steps that comprise goal-oriented analysis. These steps include goal analysis, softgoal analysis, softgoal correlation analysis, goal correlation analysis, and evaluation of alternatives. To illustrate the main elements of the proposed analysis technique, they explore a typical scenario that involves defining requirements for a meeting scheduling system.
Chronic Rhinosinusitis: Therapeutic Efficacy of Anti-Inflammatory and Antibiotic Approaches

Despite the high prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) worldwide, the exact pathogenesis of the disease remains unknown. Even with therapeutic intervention, treatment response is often only partial and frequently ineffective. The inability to define exact disease phenotypes in relation to specific disease mechanisms has led to a broad based approach with both anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial intervention. The clinical efficacy of such current therapeutic strategies is highlighted and the urgent need for further robust therapeutic intervention studies in CRS is discussed in this article.
Prevalence of and risk indicators for chronic periodontitis in males from Campeche, Mexico.

OBJECTIVE Determining the prevalence, severity and extension of chronic periodontitis and identifying risk indicators amongst policemen in Campeche, Mexico, using an electron probe. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 161 men was conducted. A case of periodontitis was defined as a participant having clinical attachment loss in at least one (3) 4 mm site. Every periodontal site in the mouth was measured by a standardized periodontist using a Florida Probe System. STATA 8.2 was used for bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis, using logistic binary regression. RESULTS Mean age was 38.36+/-10.99 years. 23,622 periodontal sites were available for examination. Mean (SD) teeth and sites examined per person were 24.45+/-4.63 and 146.72+/-27.80, respectively. Periodontitis prevalence was 62.7%. Periodontitis severity was 2.9 mm and extent was 53.7%. Adjusted for alcohol intake, factors associated with periodontitis prevalence were being older ((3)35 years; OR=2.08; CI95%=1.05-4.10), smoking (current/former; OR=2.22; CI95%=1.06-4.77) and gingivitis (presence; OR=3.35; CI95%=1.34-8.42). CONCLUSIONS Many study participants had poor periodontal conditions, with substantial overall prevalence of periodontitis. Older age, tobacco use and the presence of gingivitis were factors associated with periodontitis prevalence.