Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variation in highbush blueberry floral volatile profiles as a function of pollination status, cultivar, time of day and flower part: implications for flower visitation by bees.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studies of the effects of pollination on floral scent and bee visitation remain rare, particularly in agricultural crops. To fill this gap, the hypothesis that bee visitation to flowers decreases after pollination through reduced floral volatile emissions in highbush blueberries, Vaccinium corymbosum, was tested. Other sources of variation in floral emissions and the role of floral volatiles in bee attraction were also examined. METHODS Pollinator visitation to blueberry flowers was manipulated by bagging all flowers within a bush (pollinator excluded) or leaving them unbagged (open pollinated), and then the effect on floral volatile emissions and future bee visitation were measured. Floral volatiles were also measured from different blueberry cultivars, times of the day and flower parts, and a study was conducted to test the attraction of bees to floral volatiles. KEY RESULTS Open-pollinated blueberry flowers had 32 % lower volatile emissions than pollinator-excluded flowers. In particular, cinnamyl alcohol, a major component of the floral blend that is emitted exclusively from petals, was emitted in lower quantities from open-pollinated flowers. Although, no differences in cinnamyl alcohol emissions were detected among three blueberry cultivars or at different times of day, some components of the blueberry floral blend were emitted in higher amounts from certain cultivars and at mid-day. Field observations showed that more bees visited bushes with pollinator-excluded flowers. Also, more honey bees were caught in traps baited with a synthetic blueberry floral blend than in unbaited traps. CONCLUSIONS Greater volatile emissions may help guide bees to unpollinated flowers, and thus increase plant fitness and bee energetic return when foraging in blueberries. Furthermore, the variation in volatile emissions from blueberry flowers depending on pollination status, plant cultivar and time of day suggests an adaptive role of floral signals in increasing pollination of flowers.
Training and Tracking in Robotics

We explore the use of learning schemes in training and adapting performance on simple coordination tasks. The tasks are 1-D pole balancing. Several programs incorporating learning have already achieved this (1, S, 8): the problem is to move a cart along a short piece of track to at to keep a pole balanced on its end; the pole is hinged to the cart at its bottom, and the cart is moved either to the left or to the right by a force of constant magnitude. The form of the task considered here, after (3), involves a genuinely difficult credit-assignment problem. We use a learning scheme previously developed and analysed (1, 7) to achieve performance through reinforcement, and extend it to include changing and new requirements. For example, the length or mast of the pole can change, the bias of the force, its strength, and so on; and the system can be tasked to avoid certain regions altogether. In this way we explore the learning system's ability to adapt to changes and to profit from a selected training sequence, both of which are of obvious utility in practical robotics applications. The results described here were obtained using a computer simulation of the pole-balancing problem. A movie will be shown of the performance of the system under the various requirements and tasks.
Centrifuge modelling of liquefaction flow slides

As soil behaviour is stress-dependent, a centrifuge model with tilting sample box was developed to generate liquefaction flow slides at higher confining stresses. The design and experimental set-up were based on the large liquefaction tank (de Jager et al., 2017). Fluidisation was used as sample preparation technique to produce a saturated, loose and uniform sand bed. The performance of the fluidisation system was evaluated by experimental investigation of the sample by considering the relative density, uniformity, degree of saturation and the influence of viscous pore fluid. The reproducibility of the initial sample was considered acceptable. A series of centrifuge experiments was conducted where the fluidised sand bed was accelerated to varying gravity levels and inclined to a slope with constant tilting rate. In most tests the soil response was characterised by a rapid liquefaction flow slide and a sudden increase in pore pressures. The moment of failure was consistently influenced by a variation in fluid viscosity and tilting rate, regardless of the gravity level; these effects indicated that instability was caused by the restricted seepage rate during loading. It is believed that the liquefaction potential is governed by the extremely loose and highly contractive top layer, which yields a sudden loss of strength under limited drainage conditions. The pore pressure measurements, which showed no excess pore pressures building up prior to failure, can lead to a misunderstanding of the failure mechanism and false assumption of fully drained conditions. Monitoring the pore pressures is therefore not suitable to predict liquefaction flow slides in submarine slopes. Mitigation of liquefaction should be focussed on densification of the looser part of the sandy slope, which is usually the top layer.
Powder binders used for the manufacturing of wind turbine rotor blades. Part 2. Investigation of binder effects on the mechanical performance of glass fiber reinforced polymers

The automated manufacturing of wind turbine rotor blades needs binder systems which meet the requirements for online processing, show good preforming properties and do not affect the mechanical performance of the glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites. In this study, especially the binder effect on the mechanical performance of corresponding glass fiber reinforced polymer is focused on. Three commercially available thermoplastic binders of different chemical composition and solubility in a rotor blade proven epoxy resin are used: Grilon MS (strongly soluble), D 2433E (partially soluble) and K140 (non-soluble). After manufacturing the binder-modified glass fiber reinforced polymer plates by the vacuum-assisted resin infusion technique, their mechanical performance is investigated with respect to binder solubility and concentration (1–3 wt.%). The mechanical characterization is based on tensile and compression tests – both longitudinal (0°) and transversal (90°) – as well as shearing tests (±45°). It is found that the glass fiber reinforced polymer strength and stiffness is strongly controlled by binder solubility and content. In the case of limited binder solubility and insolubility (D 2433E and K140), the performance of the composites reduces significantly as binder content increases. In contrast, stiffness and strength are not affected by the soluble binder Grilon MS, regardless of its content. These glass fiber reinforced polymer results strongly correspond with the results obtained for binder modified resin plates in a previous study. This correlation highlights the fact that binder ability for the preforming process might be classified by a simple pre-test for solubility and mechanical properties using the modified resin instead of applying the costly and time-intensive manufacturing steps of glass fiber reinforced polymer plates.
Step Process for Selecting and Testing Surrogates and Indicators of Afrotemperate Forest Invertebrate Diversity

Background The diversity and complexity of invertebrate communities usually result in their exclusion from conservation activities. Here we provide a step process for assessing predominantly ground-dwelling Afrotemperate forest invertebrates' (earthworms, centipedes, millipedes, ants, molluscs) potential as surrogates for conservation and indicators for monitoring. We also evaluated sampling methods (soil and litter samples, pitfall traps, active searching quadrats and tree beating) and temporal (seasonal) effects. Methodology/Principal Findings Lack of congruence of species richness across taxa indicated poor surrogacy potential for any of the focus taxa. Based on abundance and richness, seasonal stability, and ease of sampling, molluscs were the most appropriate taxon for use in monitoring of disturbance impacts. Mollusc richness was highest in March (Antipodal late summer wet season). The most effective and efficient methods were active searching quadrats and searching litter samples. We tested the effectiveness of molluscs as indicators for monitoring by contrasting species richness and community structure in burned relative to unburned forests. Both species richness and community structure changed significantly with burning. Some mollusc species (e.g. Macroptychia africana) showed marked negative responses to burning, and these species have potential for use as indicators. Conclusions/Significance Despite habitat type (i.e., Afrotemperate forest) being constant, species richness and community structure varied across forest patches. Therefore, in conservation planning, setting targets for coarse filter features (e.g., habitat type) requires fine filter features (e.g., localities for individual species). This is especially true for limited mobility taxa such as those studied here. Molluscs have high potential for indicators for monitoring, and this requires broader study.
Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Injury: Part I: Basic Mechanisms and In Vivo Monitoring of ROS

Oxidative stress has been associated with diverse pathophysiological events, including cancer, renal disease, and neurodegeneration. More recently, it has become apparent that reactive oxygen species (ROS) also play a role in the development of vasculopathies, including those that define atherosclerosis, hypertension, and restenosis after angioplasty. The “response to injury” hypothesis developed by Russell Ross in the late 1970s suggested that atherosclerosis, at least, resulted from an initial injury to endothelial cells, leading to impaired endothelial function and subsequent macrophage infiltration and smooth muscle dysfunction. Many investigators then focused on oxidation of LDL and its interaction with the endothelium as the initial injury leading to the formation of fatty streaks and ultimately atherogenesis. It is now clear not only that diverse ROS are produced in the vessel wall, but that they individually and in combination contribute to many of the abnormalities associated with vascular disease. There are many ROS that play central roles in vascular physiology (Figure 1) and pathophysiology, the most important of which are nitric oxide (NO·), superoxide (O2·−), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and peroxynitrite (ONOO·−). NO· is normally produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the vasculature, but in inflammatory states, inducible NOS can be expressed in macrophages and smooth muscle cells and contributes to NO·production. NO·is a crucial mediator of endothelium-dependent vasodilation and may also play a role in platelet aggregation and in maintaining the balance between smooth muscle cell growth and differentiation. Superoxide results from one electron reduction of oxygen by a variety of oxidases (Figure 2). When O2·− is produced in concert with NO·, they rapidly react to form the highly reactive molecule ONOO·−. ONOO·− is an important mediator of lipid peroxidation and protein nitration, including oxidation of LDL, which has dramatic proatherogenic effects. …
A method for immunohistochemical detection of osteogenic markers in undecalcified bone sections

To evaluate the osteogenic potential of novel implant materials, it is important to examine their effect on osteoblastic differentiation. Characterizing the tissue response at the bone-biomaterial interface in vivo at a molecular level would contribute significantly to enhancing our understanding of tissue integration of endosseous implant materials. We describe here a new technique that overcomes difficulties commonly associated with performing immunohistochemistry on undecalcified sawed sections of bone. Sheep mandible specimens were fixed in an ethanol based fixative to maintain adequate antigenicity of the tissue. As a result, it was possible to omit antigen retrieval at high temperature for recovery of antigenicity, and detachment of sections from the slides was avoided. Following dehydration and infiltration, the specimens were embedded in a resin composed of polymethylmethacrylate and polybutylmethacrylate. Polymerization was achieved by adding benzoylperoxide and N,N-dimethyl-toluidine. This resin was selected because it maintained the antigenicity of the tissue, provided adequate properties for cutting 50 µm thick sections, and it facilitated deacrylizing the sawed sections. Acid-resistant acrylic slides were glued to the blocks using an epoxy resin based two-component adhesive to avoid detachment of the slides during the deacrylation procedure. Samples were stained for alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen, osteonectin, osteopontin, osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein. The EnVision + ™ dextran polymer conjugate two-step visualization system was applied for immunohistochemical detection of these bone matrix proteins. This procedure yielded positive staining for the osteogenic markers in cells and matrix components. The protocol described here facilitates the use of immunohistochemistry on resin embedded sawed sections of bone and provides a convenient and reliable method that can be used routinely for immunohistochemical analysis of hard tissue specimens containing implant materials.
Binding under Conflict Conditions: State–Space Analysis of Multivariate EEG Synchronization

Real-world objects are often endowed with features that violate Gestalt principles. In our experiment, we examined the neural correlates of binding under conflict conditions in terms of the binding-by-synchronization hypothesis. We presented an ambiguous stimulus (“diamond illusion”) to 12 observers. The display consisted of four oblique gratings drifting within circular apertures. Its interpretation fluctuates between bound (“diamond”) and unbound (component gratings) percepts. To model a situation in which Gestalt-driven analysis contradicts the perceptually explicit bound interpretation, we modified the original diamond (OD) stimulus by speeding up one grating. Using OD and modified diamond (MD) stimuli, we managed to dissociate the neural correlates of Gestalt-related (OD vs. MD) and perception-related (bound vs. unbound) factors. Their interaction was expected to reveal the neural networks synchronized specifically in the conflict situation. The synchronization topography of EEG was analyzed with the multivariate S-estimator technique. We found that good Gestalt (OD vs. MD) was associated with a higher posterior synchronization in the beta-gamma band. The effect of perception manifested itself as reciprocal modulations over the posterior and anterior regions (theta/beta-gamma bands). Specifically, higher posterior and lower anterior synchronization supported the bound percept, and the opposite was true for the unbound percept. The interaction showed that binding under challenging perceptual conditions is sustained by enhanced parietal synchronization. We argue that this distributed pattern of synchronization relates to the processes of multistage integration ranging from early grouping operations in the visual areas to maintaining representations in the frontal networks of sensory memory.
Clinical- and Cost-Effectiveness of a Nurse Led Self-Management Intervention to Reduce Emergency Visits by People with Epilepsy

People with chronic epilepsy (PWE) often make costly, and clinically unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits. Some do it frequently. No studies have examined interventions to reduce them. An intervention delivered by an epilepsy nurse specialist (ENS) might reduce visits. The rationale is it may optimize patients' self-management skills and knowledge of appropriate ED use. We examined such an intervention's clinical- and cost-effectiveness. Eighty-five adults with epilepsy were recruited from three London EDs with similar catchment populations. Forty-one PWE recruited from two EDs received treatment-as-usual (TAU) and formed the comparison group. The remaining 44 PWE were recruited from the ED of a hospital that had implemented a new ENS service for PWE attending ED. These participants formed the intervention group. They were offered 2 one-to-one sessions with an ENS, plus TAU. Participants completed questionnaires on health service use and psychosocial well-being at baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Covariates were identified and adjustments made. Sixty-nine (81%) participants were retained at follow-up. No significant effect of the intervention on ED visits at 12 months or on other outcomes was found. However, due to less time as inpatients, the average service cost for intervention participants over follow-up was less than for TAU participants' (adjusted difference £558, 95% CI, −£2409, £648). Covariates most predictive of subsequent ED visits were patients' baseline feelings of stigmatization due to epilepsy and low confidence in managing epilepsy. The intervention did not lead to a reduction in ED use, but did not cost more, partly because those receiving the intervention had shorter hospital admissions. Our findings on long-term ED predictors clarifies what causes ED use, and suggests that future interventions might focus more on patients' perceptions of stigma and on their confidence in managing epilepsy. If addressed, ED visits might be reduced and efficiency-savings generated.
Secure Communication in Uplink Transmissions: User Selection and Multiuser Secrecy Gain

In this paper, we investigate secure communications uplink transmissions, where there are a base station (BS) with M receive antennas, K mobile users each with a single antenna, and an eavesdropper with N receive antennas. The closed-form expressions of the achievable ergodic secrecy sum rates (ESSRs) for a random k users selection scheme in the high and low signal-to-noise ratio regimes are presented. It is shown that the scaling behavior of ESSR with respect to the number served users k can be quite different under different system configurations, determined by the numbers of the BS antennas and that of the eavesdropper antennas. In order to achieve multiuser gain, two low-complexity user selection schemes are proposed under different assumptions on the eavesdropper's channel state information. The closed-form expressions of the achievable ESSRs and the multiuser secrecy gains of the two schemes are also presented in both low and high SNR regimes. observe that, as k increases, the multiuser secrecy gain increases, while the ESSR may decrease. Therefore, when N much larger than M, serving one user with the strongest channel (Time Division Multiple Address-like) is a favorable secrecy scheme, where the ESSR scales with √2 log K.
Mechanically evoked 5‐hydroxytryptamine release is mediated by caveolin‐associated cholesterol rich membrane domains

Abstract 5‐Hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) from enterochromaffin cells activates neural reflexes that govern intestinal motility and secretion. Mechanical stimulation of human enterochromaffin cell‐derived BON cells activates a Gαq‐signalling pathway coupled to 5‐HT release. Molecular mechanisms identifying elements of mechanosensory transduction are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the role of caveolin and caveolin‐associated cholesterol rich microdomains in mechanically stimulated 5‐HT release from BON cells. Caveolin‐1 transcripts and immunofluorescence were found in BON cells. In the static state, caveolins‐1 and ‐2 co‐precipitated with Gαq in cholesterol rich cell fractions, but not with Gαs, Gαi/o and Gβ. Mechanical stimulation transiently uncoupled Gαq from caveolin‐1 and increased 5‐HT release. Disassembly of caveolin‐associated membrane microdomains by filipin or by cholesterol depletion with methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin decreased mechanically evoked 5‐HT release. These results suggest that caveolin and caveolin‐associated cholesterol rich membrane microdomains are key regulators in mechanically evoked 5‐HT release from enterochromaffin cells.
The Birth of the Congressional Clinic

This paper studies the impact of mortality in the districts/states represented in key congressional groups (i.e. committees, subcommittees, and parties) on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) allocation of medical research funds across diseases, for the period 1985-2002. Exploiting the recomposition of any group after congressional elections, I find that congressmen who sit in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appear successful in steering more funds towards research on diseases that affect their constituents disproportionately. This effect is larger for clinical than for basic research. No other relevant congressional group, except, to a lesser extent, the House majority, seems to impact that allocation. No group significantly impacts the allocation of funds across states.
Strong functional dependencies and their application to normal forms in XML

In this article, we address the problem of how to extend the definition of functional dependencies (FDs) in incomplete relations to XML documents (called XFDs) using the well-known strong satisfaction approach.We propose a syntactic definition of strong XFD satisfaction in an XML document and then justify it by showing that, similar to the case in relational databases, for the case of simple paths, keys in XML are a special case of XFDs. We also propose a normal form for XML documents based on our definition of XFDs and provide a formal justification for it by proving that it is a necessary and sufficient condition for the elimination of redundancy in an XML document.
Bi-level Locality Sensitive Hashing for k-Nearest Neighbor Computation

We present a new Bi-level LSH algorithm to perform approximate k-nearest neighbor search in high dimensional spaces. Our formulation is based on a two-level scheme. In the first level, we use a RP-tree that divides the dataset into sub-groups with bounded aspect ratios and is used to distinguish well-separated clusters. During the second level, we compute a single LSH hash table for each sub-group along with a hierarchical structure based on space-filling curves. Given a query, we first determine the sub-group that it belongs to and perform k-nearest neighbor search within the suitable buckets in the LSH hash table corresponding to the sub-group. Our algorithm also maps well to current GPU architectures and can improve the quality of approximate KNN queries as compared to prior LSH-based algorithms. We highlight its performance on two large, high-dimensional image datasets. Given a runtime budget, Bi-level LSH can provide better accuracy in terms of recall or error ration. Moreover, our formulation reduces the variation in runtime cost or the quality of results.
The Peril of Evaluating Location Management Proposals through Simulations

The challenge of supporting rapidly growing numbers of mobile users, while constrained by limited radio spectrum, is being faced by cellular network operators worldwide. Several location management schemes have been proposed to improve the performance of such networks, but a fair assessment and comparison of their performance is difficult without an accurate mobility model. The performance of location management schemes depends considerably on subscriber mobility patterns. Some of the recent methods proposed in the literature are reviewed and selected that concentrate on the location updating and paging overhead. To analyze the performance of the selected proposals, two mobility models, namely activity-based mobility model and random mobility model, were used. From the results it is clear that the mobility model has a significant impact and the results described in various proposals using a random mobility model may not reflect the relative performance when deploying schemes in actual systems.