Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relative abilities of different aphid species to act as vectors of Carrot virus Y

The abilities of different aphid species to act as vectors of Carrot virus Y(CarVY) in carrots were studied. Their effectiveness at transmitting the virus from infected to healthy carrot plants was compared using 5–10 min acquisition access feeds. With species that colonise apiaceous hosts, the percentage transmission efficiencies found were Myzus persicae: 56; Dysaphis foeniculus: 19; Aphis spiraecola: 17; D. apiifolia: 13; Hyadaphis foeniculi: 7; Cavariella aegopodii: 4; and H. coriandri: 3. With non-colonising species, the respective transmission efficiencies were Lipaphis erysimi: 34; Hysteroneura setariae: 14; Brevicoryne brassicae: 12; Acyrthosiphon kondoi: 10; Sitobion miscanthi: 7; Rhopalosiphum maidis: 2; and R. padi: 0.5. When flying aphids were trapped on vertical nets near to a CarVY-infected carrot planting, 11 out of 101 H. foeniculi caught transmitted the virus to carrot seedlings but the 13 other aphids caught, which belonged to three non-colonising species, did not. If present in sufficient numbers, all 14 aphid species that transmitted the virus have the potential to be important CarVY vectors in carrot crops.
A scalable wavelet-based video distortion metric and applications

Video distortion metrics based on models of the human visual system have traditionally used comparisons between the distorted signal and a reference signal to calculate distortions objectively. In video coding applications, this is not prohibitive. In quality monitoring applications, however, access to the reference signal is often limited. This paper presents a computationally efficient video distortion metric that can operate in full- or reduced-reference mode as required. The metric is based on a model of the human visual system implemented using the wavelet transform and separable filters. The visual model is parameterized using a set of video frames and the associated quality scores. The visual model's hierarchical structure, as well as the limited impact of fine scale distortions on quality judgments of severely impaired video, are exploited to build a framework for scaling the bitrate required to represent the reference signal. Two applications of the metric are also presented. In the first, the metric is used as the distortion measure in a rate-distortion optimized rate control algorithm for MPEG-2 video compression. The resulting compressed video sequences demonstrate significant improvements in visual quality over compressed sequences with allocations determined by the TM5 rate control algorithm operating with MPEG-2 at the same rate. In the second, the metric is used to estimate time series of objective quality scores for distorted video sequences using reference bitrates as low as 10 kb/s. The resulting quality scores more accurately model subjective quality recordings than do those estimated using the mean squared error as a distortion metric, while requiring a fraction of the bitrate used to represent the reference signal. The reduced-reference metric's performance is comparable to that of the full-reference metrics tested in the first Video Quality Experts Group evaluation.
Event‐related f MRI

We present a method for detecting event‐related responses in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The occurrence of time‐locked activations is formulated in terms of the general linear model, i.e., multiple linear regression. This permits the use of established statistical techniques that correct for multiple comparisons in the context of spatially smooth and serially correlated data. Responses are modelled using event‐related temporal basis functions. Inferences are then made about all components of the model, using the F‐ratio at all voxels in the image, to produce a statistical parametric map (SPM{F}). This method allows for the experimental design to relate the timing of events to the acquisition of data to give a temporal resolution (with respect to the event‐related response) far better than the scanning repeat time. Hum. Brain Mapping 5:243–248, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age- and Sex-Dependent Changes in Androgen Receptor Expression in the Developing Mouse Cortex and Hippocampus

During the perinatal period, male mice are exposed to higher levels of testosterone (T) than females, which promotes sexual dimorphism in their brain structures and behaviors. In addition to acting via estrogen receptors after being locally converted into estradiol by aromatase, T also acts directly through androgen receptor (AR) in the brain. Therefore, we hypothesized that AR expression in the developing mouse cortex and hippocampus was sexually dimorphic. To test our hypothesis, we measured and determined AR mRNA and protein levels in mouse cortex/hippocampus collected on the day of birth (PN0) and 7 (PN7), 14 (PN14), and 21 (PN21) days after birth. We demonstrated that, as age advanced, AR mRNA levels increased in the cortex/hippocampus of both sexes but showed no sex difference. Two AR proteins, the full-length (110 kDa) and a smaller isoform (70 kDa), were detected in the developing mouse cortex/hippocampus with an age-dependent increase in protein levels of both AR isoforms at PN21 and a transient masculine increase in expression of the full-length AR protein on PN7. Thus, we conclude that the postnatal age and sex differences in AR protein expression in combination with the sex differences in circulating T may cause sexual differentiation of the mouse cortex/hippocampus.
Temperature-associated habitat selection in a cold-water marine fish.

Habitat selection is a complex process, which involves behavioural decisions guided by the multiple needs and constraints faced by individuals. Climate-induced changes in environmental conditions may alter those trade-offs and resulting habitat use patterns. In this study, we investigated the effect of sea temperature on habitat selection and habitat use of acoustically tagged Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) at the Norwegian Skagerrak coast. Significant relationships between ocean temperature and habitat selection and use were found. Under favourable sea temperature thresholds (<16 °C), cod selected vegetated habitats, such as eelgrass and macroalgae beds, available in shallow areas. Selection for those habitats was especially high at night, when cod tended to ascend to shallower areas, presumably to feed. Selection and use of those habitats decreased significantly as temperature rose. Under increased sea surface temperature conditions, cod were absent from vegetated shallow habitats, both during the day and night, and selected instead non-vegetated rocky bottoms and sand habitats, available in deeper, colder areas. This study shows the dynamic nature of habitat selection and strongly suggests that cod in this region have to trade off food availability against favourable temperature conditions. Future increases in ocean temperature are expected to further influence the spatial behaviour of marine fish, potentially affecting individual fitness and population dynamics.
Interaction of Poliovirus with Its Purified Receptor and Conformational Alteration in the Virion

ABSTRACT Polypeptides of amino acids 1 to 241 (PVR241) and 1 to 330 (PVR330) of the human poliovirus receptor (hPVR) were produced in a baculovirus expression system. PVR241 contained extracellular domains 1 and 2 of hPVR, and PVR330 contained extracellular domains 1, 2, and 3. These peptides were purified by immunoaffinity column chromatography with an anti-hPVR monoclonal antibody (MAb). After the purification, PVR241 and PVR330 appeared to retain their native conformation as judged by reactivity with an anti-PVR MAb that recognized domain 1 of hPVR in a conformation-dependent manner. The virulent Mahoney strain of poliovirus type 1 was mixed with the purified PVRs in various concentrations. An average of at least 43 PVR330 molecules were able to bind to one virion particle under the conditions used. The equilibrium dissociation constant between the PVR330 molecule and the PVR binding site (canyon) on the virion was determined to be 4.50 ± (0.86) × 10−8 M at 4°C. Higher rates of conformational change of the virus (160S) to 135S and 80S particles were observed as the concentration of PVR330 was increased. In this in vitro system, the ratio of the amount of the 135S particle to that of the 80S particle seemed to be always constant. After the disappearance of the 160S particle, the amount of the 80S particle was not increased by further incubation at 37°C. These results suggested that the 80S particle was not derived from the 135S particle under the conditions used in this study.
Autologous Platelet-rich Fibrin Matrix in Non-healing Trophic Ulcers in Patients with Hansen's Disease

Background: Non-healing trophic ulcers in Hansen's disease patients is one of the major causes for disability. It has been shown that autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) is effective in healing chronic non-healing leg ulcers. Aim: The objective of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) in non-healing trophic ulcers in patients treated for Hansen's disease. Design: A prospective study. Setting: An institution-based clinic. Participants: Seven treated patients with Hansen's disease, with a mean age of 38.33 years, with nine non-healing trophic ulcer of more than 6 weeks duration. Measurements: Photographs were taken before treatment and at every subsequent sitting. Area and volume were calculated at baseline and every subsequent sitting till the closure was achieved. Materials and Methods: The healthy ulcers were treated with PRFM at weekly intervals, repeated once a week for a maximum of five sittings as per requirement. Results: The mean percentage improvement in the area was 93.52%, and volume was 97.74% at the end of the second sitting. All ulcers closed by a maximum of five sittings. No adverse events were noted. Conclusion: PRFM for the treatment of trophic ulcers in treated patients with Hansen's disease is a feasible, safe, simple and inexpensive method.
Surgical Treatment of Adult Extra-Articular Distal Humeral Diaphyseal Fractures Using an Oblique Metaphyseal Locking Compression Plate via a Posterior Approach

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and clinical outcome of using an oblique AO (Association for the Study of Internal Fixation) metaphyseal locking compression plate (MLCP) in the treatment of adult extra-articular distal humeral diaphyseal fractures via a posterior approach. Subjects and Methods: A series of 19 cases of adult extra-articular distal humeral diaphyseal fractures were surgically treated using an MLCP and lag screws, if necessary, via a posterior approach. All patients were followed for a mean time of 16.6 months (range from 12 to 20 months). The patients were followed up to 1 year, and radiological assessment was performed to observe fracture reduction and healing. Functional outcome was measured including the range of motion of the shoulder and elbow, by the University of California at Los Angeles and the Mayo Elbow Performance Score. Results: The incidence of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy was 5%. There was no failure of internal fixation and no infection. After 1 year, the University of California at Los Angeles scoring system rated 12 (63.2%) patients as excellent results. The Mayo elbow performance scoring system rated 10 (84%) cases as excellent results. Completely normal alignment was presented in 16 cases. Conclusion: Following surgical treatment of adult extra-articular distal humeral diaphyseal fractures, an oblique MLCP applied via a posterior approach achieved an adequate internal fixation and obtained an excellent functional outcome.
Transmission-Order Optimization for Bidirectional Device-to-Device (D2D) Communications Underlaying Cellular TDD Networks—A Graph Theoretic Approach

Device-to-device (D2D) communications underlaying cellular networks is a promising concept that has several advantages over the traditional cellular networks. In the TDD system, the frame structure defines the order of uplink and downlink transmission slots. Typically, a TDD system is synchronized, and the same transmission order (TO) is used in all cells. In a direct D2D link, we have the freedom of selecting the TO of the devices freely. To our best knowledge, no paper has explicitly examined the TO optimization problem in D2D communications underlaying cellular network so far. In this paper, we focus exactly on this problem: once the proper co-channel D2D pairs are determined in the network, how do we minimize the network interference by optimally determining the TOs in all D2D links (together with co-channel cellular links) in the network, which is an NP-complete problem. In this paper, we formulate the TO optimization problem from a graph theoretic point of view: 1) we show that the TO optimization problem is equal to a constraint balanced min-cut graph partitioning problem of our defined augmented graph; and 2) we propose and analyze a distributed and a centralized efficient asynchronous clustering algorithm for solving the TO optimization problem equivalently for the min-cut of our proposed augmented graph. Computer simulations for the TDD-based D2D underlaying cellular network show that the proposed distributed and centralized algorithms, called ABCAMiC and CABCAMiC, respectively, 1) remarkably outperform the reference case where all TOs are fixed, 2) converge within a relatively small number of steps and generally converge in only a few epochs even for a large number of cellular and D2D users, and 3) the expected performance of the (partly/fully) distributed ABCAMiC is almost equal to that of the centralized solution CABCAMiC, which generally gives near-global optimal solution to the TO optimization problem.
Lyapunov Stability and Performance Analysis of the Implicit Discrete Sliding Mode Control

Discrete-time sliding mode controllers with an implicit discretization of the signum function are considered. With a proper choice of the equivalent part of the control, the resulting controller is shown to be Lyapunov stable with finite-time convergence of the sliding variable to 0. The convergence of the control input, as the sampling period goes to 0, to the continuous-time one is shown. The robustness with respect to matching perturbations is also investigated. The discretization performance in terms of the error order is studied for different discretizations of the equivalent part of the input. Numerical and experimental results illustrate and support the analysis.
Crystallization behavior of nylon 11/montmorillonite nanocomposites under annealing

Exfoliated nylon 11/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were prepared via in situ polymerization by the dispersion of organically modified MMT in 11-aminoundecanoic acid monomer. The polymorphic behavior of the nylon 11/MMT nanocomposites was investigated with X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared with attenuated total reflectance. MMT induced and stabilized the δ-crystalline form of nylon 11. The crystal structure of nylon 11 was transformed from a hexagonal δ-form structure to a triclinic α-form structure during the annealing process. Meanwhile, the hydrogen bonds in the nanocomposites also exhibited some differences from neat nylon 11 after annealing. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5483–5489, 2006
A Family Competition Genetic Algorithm for the Pickup and Delivery Problems with Time Window

This paper presents a new approach based on genetic algorithms to solving the singlevehicle pickup and delivery problem with time window constraints (1-PDPTW). In particular, we illustrate how the Family Competition Genetic Algoritm (FCGA) is applied to the 1-PDPTW, and compare its results with previous solutions to the problem. Genetic algorithms have been shown to find feasible or near-optimal solutions when traditional methods would fail within a reasonble amount of time. By incorporating the concept of families to maintain diversity, FCGA further improves solution quality and increases the probability of finding the optimal solutions without much extra resource demands. Extensive experiments on FCGA with various crossover and mutation operators show that the new approach succeeds in finding the optimal solutions for 1-PDPTW under 50 tasks, and can obtain near-optimal or feasible solutions in most problems up to 100 tasks.
QRU-1 : A Public Dataset for Promoting Query Representation and Understanding Research

A new public dataset for promoting query representation and understanding research, referred to as QRU-1, was recently released by Microsoft Research. The QRU-1 dataset contains reformulations of Web TREC topics that are automatically generated using a large-scale proprietary web search log, without compromising user privacy. In this paper, we describe the content of this dataset and the process of its creation. We also discuss the potential uses of the dataset, including a detailed description of a query reformulation experiment.
Comparison of different decompositions of strain using exact solution of elastoplasticity for large strains

Different decompositions of large elastoplastic strain on elastic and plastic parts of thermodynamically consistent equations of elastoplasticity are under consideration. It is shown that the values of plastic strains depend on the method of decomposition of elastoplastic strain even for fixed constitutive equations of plasticity and elasticity. Difference of above mentioned plastic strains is investigated analytically and numerically for Mooney elasticity and associate Mises plasticity for special strain: incompressible plane shear and three axial extension.
Properties of self-consolidating concrete with recycled clay-brick-powder replacing cementitious material

Clay brick is becoming a major demolition waste and causing environmental contamination in China. Recycling of wasted clay brick could conserve natural resources and preserve land from waste filling. In this research, recycled clay-brick-powder (CBP) was used to partially replace Portland cement (PC) and fly ash (FA) in self-consolidating concrete (SCC) mix. The effects of dosage of CBP on the workability, strength, and shrinkage of SCC were investigated. Test results show that partially replacing cementitious material with CBP can reduce the workability of SCC. Compared with the reference concrete, specimens with CBP had higher 28-day and 56-day strength. The specimens containing 1% CBP had the highest compressive strength. Meanwhile, the replacement of CBP to PC and FA could also reduce the shrinkage of the SCC due to the internal curing effect. Based on scanning electron microscope investigation, specimen with CBP had less pores than the specimen without CBP and improved the microstructure of concrete. Hence, CBP had positive effects on the mechanical and physical properties of SCC.
Incorporating Non-Relevance Information in the Estimation of Query Models

We describe the participation of the University of Amsterdam’s ILPS group in the relevance feedback track at TREC 2008. We introduce a new model which incorporates information from relevant and non-relevant documents to improve the estimation of query models. Our main findings are twofold: (i) in terms of statMAP, a larger number of judged non-relevant documents improves retrieval effectiveness and (ii) on the TREC Terabyte topics, we can effectively replace the estimates on the judged non-relevant documents with estimations on the document collection.
Baseline SYNTAX Score and Long-Term Outcome in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objectives: The SYNTAX score (SXscore) has emerged as a reproducible angiographic tool to quantify the extent of coronary artery disease based on the location and complexity of each lesion. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the SXscore is an independent predictor of long-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods: A total of 2993 patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI were stratified into the 4 groups according to the SXscore quartiles; quartile 1(Q1, SXscore ≤ 9, n = 819), Q2 (9 < SXscore < 16, n = 715), Q3 (16 ≤ SXscore < 20, n = 710), and Q4 (SXscore ≥ 20, n = 749). Results: There were significant differences among the quartiles with respect to age, basal creatinine and glucose levels, and the incidences of diabetes mellitus, Killip ≥2, and anemia. From Q1 to Q4, there were increasing rates of culprit left anterior descending lesion (P < .001), multivessel disease (P < .001), chronic total occlusion (P < .001), and proximal lesion localization (P < .001). At long-term follow-up, all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, rehospitalization due to heart failure, and the need of revascularization were significantly more frequent among the patients in the highest SXscore quartile. In multivariate analysis, after including the SXscore as a numerical variable into the model, every point of increase was determined as an independent predictor for long-term mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.05, P = .008) and for overall major adverse cardiac events (MACEs; HR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.04, P < .001). Conclusion: The SXscore is an independent predictor of both in-hospital and long-term mortality and MACE in patients with acute STEMI undergoing primary PCI.
Personality characteristics of a sample of anaesthetists

No published information on the personality characteristics of a significant proportion of any specialty of the medical profession has been available to date. The author presents the results from the application of a personality questionnaire (Cattell's 16 PF Form C) to a sample of anaesthetists (n = 231). These show that this sample of anaesthetists differs from the general population in a number of dimensions. They are more reserved, intelligent, assertive, serious, conscientious, self‐sufficient and tense and less socially bold and self‐assured. They also differ from a sample of general practitioners. Within the sample of anaesthetists, there are significant differences on a cluster of factors relating to stability. Evidence is quoted, from part of the sample, of a significant relationship between personality profiles and behaviour and performance. The author puts forward a descriptive picture of the ‘good’ anaesthetist and the obverse and the possible implications for the assessment and selection of applicants for this shortage specialty.
Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of three lactobacillus spp. against antibiotic resistance salmonella typhimurium

Lactobacillus spp. , as probiotics bacteria, are being increasingly studied for their inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacteria. There is some evidence that they are not effective against gram-negative bacteria. The objective of this study was to investigate the antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus plantarum PTCC 1058, Lactobacillus delbrueckii sub.sp bulgaricus PTCC 1737 and Lactobacillus leichmannii PTCC 1057 against antibiotic resistance Salmonella typhimurium. The Salmonella typhimurium strains were identified by biochemical tests, antisera and multiplex PCR assays. Subsequently, the anti-bio gram against ten Salmonella typhimurium strains was investigated using six commonly-used antibiotics. The antibacterial effect of Lactobacillus spp. was evaluated by the means of Agar disk-diffusion and Agar welldiffusion assays. This in vitro study implied that none of the Lactobacilli had antibacterial 62 Amin Ravaei et al effect against Salmonella typhimurium strains, so they are not suggested to be used as alternative treatment instead of administration of antibiotics to control S.typhimurium.