Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Gamma-Irradiation on Sensory Characteristics, Physicochemical Parameters, and Shelf Life of Strawberries Stored under Refrigeration

ABSTRACT The effect of gamma-irradiation on sensory characteristics, physicochemical, parameters, and shelf life of Camarosa strawberries stored under refrigeration was investigated for a period of 20 days. Strawberries were exposed to gamma-irradiation at dose levels of 0.5 and 1.0 kGy. Sensory analysis, color parameters [L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness)], fungal decay development, weight loss, texture, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity were estimated every 5 days for irradiated samples. Sensory analysis showed that irradiated strawberries at 0.5 kGy maintained acceptable visual appearance and taste until the 10th day of storage, whereas off-odor was not produced throughout storage. Regarding color attributes, the application of gamma irradiation resulted in a significant reduction in L* and b* color parameters during refrigerated storage. Fungal decay development showed an important decreasing trend with respect to dose. Finally, gamma-irradiation at 1.0 kGy increased the weight loss of strawberries and affected firmness, whereas TSS, acidity, and pH were not affected throughout refrigerated storage. Graphical Abstract
454 Pyrosequencing Analysis on Faecal Samples from a Randomized DBPC Trial of Colicky Infants Treated with Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938

Objective To analyze the global microbial composition, using large-scale DNA sequencing of 16 S rRNA genes, in faecal samples from colicky infants given L. reuteri DSM 17938 or placebo. Methods Twenty-nine colicky infants (age 10–60 days) were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either Lactobacillus reuteri (108 cfu) or a placebo once daily for 21 days. Responders were defined as subjects with a decrease of 50% in daily crying time at day 21 compared with the starting point. The microbiota of faecal samples from day 1 and 21 were analyzed using 454 pyrosequencing. The primers: Bakt_341F and Bakt_805R, complemented with 454 adapters and sample specific barcodes were used for PCR amplification of the 16 S rRNA genes. The structure of the data was explored by using permutational multivariate analysis of variance and effects of different variables were visualized with ordination analysis. Results The infants’ faecal microbiota were composed of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes as the four main phyla. The composition of the microbiota in infants with colic had very high inter-individual variability with Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios varying from 4000 to 0.025. On an individual basis, the microbiota was, however, relatively stable over time. Treatment with L. reuteri DSM 17938 did not change the global composition of the microbiota, but when comparing responders with non-responders the group responders had an increased relative abundance of the phyla Bacteroidetes and genus Bacteroides at day 21 compared with day 0. Furthermore, the phyla composition of the infants at day 21 could be divided into three enterotype groups, dominated by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria, respectively. Conclusion L. reuteri DSM 17938 did not affect the global composition of the microbiota. However, the increase of Bacteroidetes in the responder infants indicated that a decrease in colicky symptoms was linked to changes of the microbiota. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00893711
On tabulating virtual strings

A virtual string can be defined as a closed curve on a surface modulo certain equivalence relations. Turaev defined several invariants of virtual strings which we use to produce a table of virtual strings up to 4 crossings. We discuss progress in extending the tabulation to 5 crossings. We also provide a counter-example to a statement of Kadokami.
Recurrent Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Associations with Comorbidities and Medicine with Antithrombotic Effects

Background Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a disease with high mortality and a substantial risk of recurrence. However, the recurrence risk is poorly documented and the knowledge of potential predictors for recurrence among co-morbidities and medicine with antithrombotic effect is limited. Objectives 1) To estimate the short- and long-term cumulative risks of recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). 2) To investigate associations between typical comorbid diseases, surgical treatment, use of medicine with antithrombotic effects, including antithrombotic treatment (ATT), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) with recurrent ICH. Methods The cohort consisted of all individuals diagnosed with a primary ICH in Denmark 1996–2011. Information on comorbidities, surgical treatment for the primary ICH, and the use of ATT, SSRI’s and NSAID’s was retrieved from the Danish national health registers. The cumulative recurrence risk of ICH was estimated using the Aalen-Johansen estimator, thus taking into account the competing risk of death. Associations with potential predictors of recurrent ICH were estimated as rate ratios (RR’s) using Poisson regression. Propensity score matching was used for the analyses of medicine with antithrombotic effects. Results Among 15,270 individuals diagnosed with a primary ICH, 2,053 recurrences were recorded, resulting in cumulative recurrence risk of 8.9% after one year and 13.7% after five years. Surgical treatment and renal insufficiency were associated with increased recurrence risks (RR 1.64, 95% CI 1.39–1.93 and RR 1.72, 95% CI 1.34–2.17, respectively), whereas anti-hypertensive treatment was associated with a reduced risk (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74–0.91). We observed non-significant associations between the use of any of the investigated medicines with antithrombotic effect (ATT, SSRI’s, NSAID’s) and recurrent ICH. Conclusions The substantial short-and long-term recurrence risks warrant aggressive management of hypertension following a primary ICH, particularly in patients treated surgically for the primary ICH, and patients with renal insufficiency.
Combined Expression of IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-4 mRNA by Recall PBMCs Moderately Discriminates Active Tuberculosis from Latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection in Patients with Miscellaneous Inflammatory Underlying Conditions

New biomarkers are needed for discriminating active tuberculosis (TB) from latent TB infection (LTBI), especially in vulnerable groups representing the major diagnostic challenge. This pilot study was carried out to explore the diagnostic potential of selected genes, IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-4, and FoxP3, associated with TB immunity and immunopathology. IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-4, and FoxP3 mRNA expression levels were measured by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) from antigen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with active TB (n = 25); patients with miscellaneous inflammatory disorders and concomitant LTBI (n = 20), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being the most predominant in the group (n = 11); and in healthy Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccinees (n = 8). While the levels of FoxP3 mRNA did not differ between the tested groups, the cumulative expression levels of purified protein derivative-stimulated IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-4 mRNAs were found to distinguish active TB from the whole group of LTBI with 48% sensitivity and 85% specificity. When restricting the LTBI group to RA cases only, the sensitivity was 56% and specificity 100%. When interpreting the result as positive in at least one of the mRNAs IFN-γ, IL-17, or IL-4, sensitivity of 64% and specificities of 75% (heterogeneous group of LTBI) or 100% (LTBI with RA) were achieved. Moderate discrimination of active TB from LTBI with miscellaneous inflammatory underlying conditions by using combined quantitative expression of IFN-γ, IL-17, and IL-4 mRNA seems not to be of high diagnostic potential.
Genomic and Metabolic Diversity of Marine Group I Thaumarchaeota in the Mesopelagic of Two Subtropical Gyres

Marine Group I (MGI) Thaumarchaeota are one of the most abundant and cosmopolitan chemoautotrophs within the global dark ocean. To date, no representatives of this archaeal group retrieved from the dark ocean have been successfully cultured. We used single cell genomics to investigate the genomic and metabolic diversity of thaumarchaea within the mesopelagic of the subtropical North Pacific and South Atlantic Ocean. Phylogenetic and metagenomic recruitment analysis revealed that MGI single amplified genomes (SAGs) are genetically and biogeographically distinct from existing thaumarchaea cultures obtained from surface waters. Confirming prior studies, we found genes encoding proteins for aerobic ammonia oxidation and the hydrolysis of urea, which may be used for energy production, as well as genes involved in 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutyrate and oxidative tricarboxylic acid pathways. A large proportion of protein sequences identified in MGI SAGs were absent in the marine cultures Cenarchaeum symbiosum and Nitrosopumilus maritimus, thus expanding the predicted protein space for this archaeal group. Identifiable genes located on genomic islands with low metagenome recruitment capacity were enriched in cellular defense functions, likely in response to viral infections or grazing. We show that MGI Thaumarchaeota in the dark ocean may have more flexibility in potential energy sources and adaptations to biotic interactions than the existing, surface-ocean cultures.
Adaptive Synchronization Between Two Different Chaotic Neural Networks With Time Delay

This letter presents an adaptive synchronization scheme between two different kinds of delayed chaotic neural networks (NNs) with partly unknown parameters. An adaptive controller is designed to guarantee the global asymptotic synchronization of state trajectories for two different chaotic NNs with time delay. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the present method.
IMPROVED DENOISING OF SAR IMAGES CORRUPTED BY SPECKLE NOISE

In this paper an improved speckle noise reduction method is presented based on wavelet transform. A 2D Gaussian function is found to be the best model fitted to the speckle noise pattern cross-section in the logarithmically transformed noisy image. Therefore, a Gaussian low pass filter using a trous algorithm has been used to decompose the image. A Bayesian estimator is applied to the wavelet coefficients of the logarithmically transformed image to estimate the best value for the noise-free signal. This estimation is based on alpha-stable and Gaussian distribution hypotheses for wavelet coefficients of the signal and noise, respectively. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons of the results obtained by the new method with the results achieved from the other speckle noise reduction techniques demonstrate its higher performance for speckle reduction in SAR images.
Pseudoline Arrangements : Duality , Algorithms , and Applications

A collectionL of x-monotone unbounded Jordan curves in the plane is called a family of pseudolines if every pair of curves intersects in at most one point, and the two curves cr os each other there. Let P be a set of points inR2 . We define aduality transform that maps L to a setL of points inR2 andP to a set P of pseudolines inR2 so that the incidence and the “above-below” relationships between the point s and pseudolines are preserved. We present an efficient algorithm for computing t he dual arrangement A(P ) under an appropriate model of computation. We also propose a dynamic dat a structure for reporting, in O(m" + k) time, allk points ofP that lie below a query arc, which is either a circular arc or a portion of the graph of a polynomial of fixed degree. This result, in addition t o being needed for computing the dual arrangement, is interesting in its own right. We present a few appli cations of our dual arrangement algorithm, such as computing incidences between points and pseudolines and co mputing a subset of faces in pseudoline arrangements. Next, we present an efficient algorithm for cutting a set of circles into arcs s o that every pair of arcs intersect in at most one point, i.e., the resulting arcs constitute a collection ofpseudosegments . By combining this algorithm with our algorithm for computing the du al arrangement of pseudolines, we obtain efficient algorithms for a number of problems involving arrangem ents of circles or circular arcs, such as detecting, counting, or reporting incidences between points and circles . Work on this paper has been supported by a grant from the U.S.Israeli Binational Science Foundation. Work by Pankaj Agarwal was also supported by Army Research Office MURI grant DAAH04-96-1-0013, by a Sloan fellowship, by NSF grants EIA–9870724, EIA–997287, ITR–333–1050, and CCR–9732787. Work by Micha Sharir was also supported by NSF Grant CCR97-32101, by a grant from the Israel Science Fund (for a Cente r of Excellence in Geometric Computing), by the ESPRIT IV LTR project No. 21957 (CGAL), and by the Hermann Minkowski–MINE RVA Center for Geometry at Tel Aviv University. yDepartment of Computer Science, Duke University, Durham, N C 27708-0129, USA. E-mail: pankaj@cs.duke. edu zSchool of Mathematical Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel A viv 69978, Israel; and Courant Institute of Mathematical Sc ien es, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA. E-mail: sharir@math.tau. ac.il
Valuated Matroid Intersection I: Optimality Criteria

The independent assignment problem (or the weighted matroid intersection problem) is extended using Dress and Wenzel's matroid valuations, which are attached to the vertex set of the underlying bipartite graph as an additional weighting. Specifically, the problem considered is as follows: given a bipartite graph $G=(V\sp{+}, V\sp{-}; A)$ with arc weight $w: A \to \hbox{{\bf R}}$ and matroid valuations $\omega\sp{+}$ and $\omega\sp{-}$ on $V\sp{+}$ and $V\sp{-}$, respectively, find a matching $M (\subseteq A)$ that maximizes $ \sum \{w(a) \mid a \in M \} + \omega\sp{+}(\partial\sp{+} M) + \omega\sp{-}(\partial\sp{-} M) $, where $\partial\sp{+} M$ and $\partial\sp{-} M$ denote the sets of vertices in $V\sp{+}$ and $V\sp{-}$ incident to $M$. As natural extensions of the previous results for the independent assignment problem, two optimality criteria are established: one in terms of potentials and the other in terms of negative cycles in an auxiliary graph.
PD control for teleoperation system with delayed and quantized communication channel

This paper is concerned with the problem of teleoperation systems over networks. As is well known, quantization and time delay are unavoidable in computer network communications. Compared with previous work, we consider both of them when analyzing such systems. The controller used in this paper is proportional-derivative(PD) controller, but the output signals of master and slave systems are quantized before being transmitted. New criteria are presented to show that the controller can stabilize the master-slave system under variable time delay and quantization. Finally, simulations are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of our results.
Morphologically Motivated Language Models in Speech Recognition

Language modelling in large vocabulary speech recognition has traditionally been based on words. A lexicon of the most common words of the language in question is created and the recogniser is limited to consider only the words in the lexicon. In Finnish, however, it is more difficult to create an extensive lexicon, since the compounding of words, numerous inflections and suffixes increase the number of commonly used word forms considerably. The problem is that reasonably sized lexica lack many common words, and for very large lexica, it is hard to estimate a reliable language model. We have previously reported a new approach for improving the recognition of inflecting or compounding languages in large vocabulary continuous speech recognition tasks. Significant reductions in error rates have been obtained by replacing a traditional word lexicon with a lexicon based on morpheme-like word fragments learnt directly from data. In this paper, we evaluate these so called statistical morphs further, and compare them to grammatical morphs and very large word lexica using n-gram language models of different orders. When compared to the best word model, the morph models seem to be clearly more effective with respect to entropy, and give 30% relative error-rate reductions in a Finnish recognition task. Furthermore, the statistical morphs seem to be slightly better than the rule-based grammatical morphs.
On T-duality and integrability for strings on AdS backgrounds

We discuss an interplay between T-duality and integrability for certain classical non-linear sigma models. In particular, we consider strings on the AdS5 ? S5 background and perform T-duality along the four isometry directions of AdS5 in the Poincar? patch. The T-dual of the AdS5 sigma model is again a sigma model on an AdS5 space. This classical T-duality relation was used in the recently uncovered connection between light-like Wilson loops and MHV gluon scattering amplitudes in the strong coupling limit of the AdS/CFT duality. We show that the explicit coordinate dependence along the T-duality directions of the associated Lax connection (flat current) can be eliminated by means of a field dependent gauge transformation. As a result, the gauge equivalent Lax connection can easily be T-dualized, i.e. written in terms of the dual set of isometric coordinates. The T-dual Lax connection can be used for the derivation of infinitely many conserved charges in the T-dual model. Our construction implies that local (Noether) charges of the original model are mapped to non-local charges of the T-dual model and vice versa.
A Low-Cost GPS GSM/GPRS Telemetry System: Performance in Stationary Field Tests and Preliminary Data on Wild Otters (Lutra lutra)

Background Despite the increasing worldwide use of global positioning system (GPS) telemetry in wildlife research, it has never been tested on any freshwater diving animal or in the peculiar conditions of the riparian habitat, despite this latter being one of the most important habitat types for many animal taxa. Moreover, in most cases, the GPS devices used have been commercial and expensive, limiting their use in low-budget projects. Methodology/Principal Findings We have developed a low-cost, easily constructed GPS GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) and examined its performance in stationary tests, by assessing the influence of different habitat types, including the riparian, as well as water submersion and certain climatic and environmental variables on GPS fix-success rate and accuracy. We then tested the GPS on wild diving animals, applying it, for the first time, to an otter species (Lutra lutra). The rate of locations acquired during the stationary tests reached 63.2%, with an average location error of 8.94 m (SD = 8.55). GPS performance in riparian habitats was principally affected by water submersion and secondarily by GPS inclination and position within the riverbed. Temporal and spatial correlations of location estimates accounted for some variation in the data sets. GPS-tagged otters also provided accurate locations and an even higher GPS fix-success rate (68.2%). Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that GPS telemetry is reliably applicable to riparian and even diving freshwater animals. They also highlight the need, in GPS wildlife studies, for performing site-specific pilot studies on GPS functioning as well as for taking into account eventual spatial and temporal correlation of location estimates. The limited price, small dimensions, and high performance of the device presented here make it a useful and cost-effective tool for studies on otters and other aquatic or terrestrial medium-to-large-sized animals.
A MULTI-COUNTY ANALYSIS IDENTIFYING THE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS FOR MORTALITY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IN CALIFORNIA

This paper was prepared as the result of work sponsored by the California Energy Commission (Energy Commission) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA). It does not necessarily represent the views of the Energy Commission, Cal/EPA, their employees, or the State of California. The Energy Commission, Cal/EPA, the State of California, their employees, contractors, and subcontractors make no warrant, express or implied, and assume no legal liability for the information in this paper; nor does any party represent that the uses of this information will not infringe upon privately owned rights. This paper has not been approved or disapproved by the California Energy Commission or Cal/EPA, nor has the California Energy Commission or Cal/EPA passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of the information in this paper. FI AL P AP ER
Cross‐species transferability of SSR loci developed from transciptome sequencing in lodgepole pine

With the advent of next generation sequencing technologies, transcriptome level sequence collections are arising as prominent resources for the discovery of gene‐based molecular markers. In a previous study more than 15 000 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) in expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences resulting from 454 pyrosequencing of Pinus contorta cDNA were identified. From these we developed PCR primers for approximately 4000 candidate SSRs. Here, we tested 184 of these SSRs for successful amplification across P. contorta and eight other pine species and examined patterns of polymorphism and allelic variability for a subset of these SSRs. Cross‐species transferability was high, with high percentages of loci producing PCR products in all species tested. In addition, 50% of the loci we screened across panels of individuals from three of these species were polymorphic and allelically diverse. We examined levels of diversity in a subset of these SSRs by collecting genotypic data across several populations of Pinus ponderosa in northern Wyoming. Our results indicate the utility of mining pyrosequenced EST collections for gene‐based SSRs and provide a source of molecular markers that should bolster evolutionary genetic investigations across the genus Pinus.
Prevalence of Mixed Methods Research in Education Journals

None of the research methods executed in various disciplines is error free. However, the use of mixed methods research (MMR) has proven to reduce research errors hence, increasing its validity and reliability. As such, the significance of MMR research in education research has been increasing from time to time due to its strengths overriding qualitative and quantitative paradigms when each is singly applied. However, education researchers need to be competent and determined to apply mixed methods. This study examine the prevalence of MMR articles published in three peer-reviewed online education journals (n=333) in period of ten year from 2004 to 2013. Findings from the study suggest that mixed methods research account for 28% of articles published in the three journals over one decade of review. The QUAL-quan design dominates the MMR articles constituting 20%. Importantly, the results indicate that there is an increase of prevalence of mixed methods research articles in education over time. Though, the prevalence rate is very low and not constant year wise. Our findings are limited to the selected three education journals, whereby studies on other educational journals of different disciplines might result into different conclusions.