Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unequal allelic frequencies at the self‐incompatibility locus within local populations of Prunus avium L.: an effect of population structure?

In this paper, we investigated the genetic structure and distribution of allelic frequencies at the gametophytic self‐incompatibility locus in three populations of Prunus avium L. In line with theoretical predictions under balancing selection, genetic structure at the self‐incompatibility locus was almost three times lower than at seven unlinked microsatellites. Furthermore, we found that S‐allele frequencies in wild cherry populations departed significantly from the expected isoplethic distribution towards which balancing selection is expected to drive allelic frequencies (i.e. identical frequency equal to the inverse of the number of alleles in the population). To assess whether this departure could be caused either by drift alone or by population structure, we used numerical simulations to compare our observations with allelic frequency distributions expected : (1) within a single deme from a subdivided population with various levels of differentiation; and (2) within a finite panmictic population with identical allelic diversity. We also investigated the effects of sample size and degree of population structure on tests of departure from isoplethic equilibrium. Overall, our results showed that the observed allele frequency distributions were consistent with a model of subdivided population with demes linked by moderate migration rate.
Pathways to Integration: Examining Changes in the Prevalence of Racially Integrated Neighborhoods

Few researchers have studied integrated neighborhoods, yet these neighborhoods offer an important window into broader patterns of segregation. We explore changes in racial integration in recent decades using decennial census tract data from 1990, 2000, and 2010. We begin by examining changes in the prevalence of racially integrated neighborhoods and find significant growth in the presence of integrated neighborhoods during this time period, with the share of metropolitan neighborhoods that are integrated increasing from just under 20 percent to just over 30 percent. We then shed light on the pathways through which these changes have occurred. We find both a small increase in the number of neighborhoods becoming integrated for the first time during this period and a more sizable increase in the share of integrated neighborhoods that remained integrated. Finally, we offer insights about which neighborhoods become integrated in the first place and which remain stably integrated over time.
Investigating the Relationship between Employee Empowerment and the Development of an Entrepreneurial Culture at Fatemieh Technical and Vocational University of Bandar Abbas

This study has been conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between employee empowerment and the development of an entrepreneurial culture Fatemieh Technical and Vocational University of Bandar Abbas. This is a descriptive and correlational research. The sample size was 113 participants (85 females and 28 males) who were selected via simple random sampling method. The research tool was Spritzer Psychological Empowerment Scale and Entrepreneurial Culture Questionnaire. The data obtained from the study were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient. The research findings showed that there is a relationship between employee empowerment and the development of an entrepreneurial culture in Fatemieh Technical and Vocational University of Bandar Abbas, there is a significant relationship between sense of competence (self-efficacy) and the development of an entrepreneurial culture in Fatemieh Technical and Vocational University of Bandar Abbas, there is a significant relationship between the sense of having the right of choice (independence) and the development of an entrepreneurial culture in Fatemieh Technical and Vocational University of Bandar Abbas, there is a significant relationship between sense of meaning and the development of an entrepreneurial culture in Fatemieh Technical and Vocational University of Bandar Abbas, and there is a significant relationship between sense of trust in other employees and the development of an entrepreneurial culture in Fatemieh Technical and Vocational University of Bandar Abbas.
Vinculin tension distributions of individual stress fibers within cell–matrix adhesions

Summary Actomyosin stress fibers (SFs) enable cells to exert traction on planar extracellular matrices (ECMs) by tensing focal adhesions (FAs) at the cell–ECM interface. Although it is widely appreciated that the spatial and temporal distribution of these tensile forces play key roles in polarity, motility, fate choice, and other defining cell behaviors, virtually nothing is known about how an individual SF quantitatively contributes to tensile loads borne by specific molecules within associated FAs. We address this key open question by using femtosecond laser ablation to sever single SFs in cells while tracking tension across vinculin using a molecular optical sensor. We show that disruption of a single SF reduces tension across vinculin in FAs located throughout the cell, with enriched vinculin tension reduction in FAs oriented parallel to the targeted SF. Remarkably, however, some subpopulations of FAs exhibit enhanced vinculin tension upon SF irradiation and undergo dramatic, unexpected transitions between tension-enhanced and tension-reduced states. These changes depend strongly on the location of the severed SF, consistent with our earlier finding that different SF pools are regulated by distinct myosin activators. We critically discuss the extent to which these measurements can be interpreted in terms of whole-FA tension and traction and propose a model that relates SF tension to adhesive loads and cell shape stability. These studies represent the most direct and high-resolution intracellular measurements of SF contributions to tension on specific FA proteins to date and offer a new paradigm for investigating regulation of adhesive complexes by cytoskeletal force.
Single-sensor hand and footprint-based multimodal biometric recognition

Biometric systems support the task of reliable automatic authentication, which is a key function for economic transactions in modern society. So far, no universal biometric modality suitable for all applications has been found. This thesis examines the multimodal fusion of different modalities using a single high-resolution scan of the human hand as input and relates existing techniques to a new biometric modality: the human foot. With the target application of wellness areas and spas, this new modality supports privacy interests and still provides satisfying accuracy. After an introduction to basic design principles, related work in palmprint, fingerprint, hand geometry, and footprint-based recognition is discussed. System modules for sensing, preprocessing, feature extraction, matching and decision for both implemented prototype footprint and hand-based biometric systems are described in detail. Necessary modifications due to anatomical differences are proposed and presented. Finally, a performance evaluation comparing overall accuracy and relative performance of individual features concludes this work.
Characterization of a human osteosarcoma cell line (Saos-2) with osteoblastic properties.

This study examines the osteoblastic properties of the established human osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2. Saos-2 cells inoculated into diffusion chambers, which were implanted i.p. into nude mice, produced mineralized matrix in 4 of 6 chambers at 8 weeks. In 5 of 6 chambers there was a strong positive alkaline phosphatase reaction. In culture the alkaline phosphatase levels increased with time and cell density, reaching very high levels at confluence: 4-7 mumol/mg protein/min. The cells show a sensitive adenylate cyclase response to parathyroid hormone, 50% effective dose = 2.8 nM, which increases with cell density and is further raised by dexamethasone treatment. They also exhibit typical binding of 1-25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to 3.2S receptor protein with an apparent Kd of 0.21 nM; the numbers of sites per cell were 3,300 at 50,000 cells/cm2 and 1,800 at 280,000 cells/cm2. The presence of osteonectin was visualized with a monoclonal antibody which revealed a reticular pattern on the cell surface. Osteonectin was also detected in the medium by Western blots, migrating at around Mr 40,000 in nonreduced gels and Mr 44,000 in reduced gels. The Saos-2 cells thus possess several osteoblastic features and could be useful as a permanent line of human osteoblast-like cells and as a source of bone-related molecules.
Combating Occlusion and Scene Changes for Camera Position Determination

The determination of camera position via eigenspace methods has been applied recently to robot navigation and visual servoing. Conventional eigenspace methods are not robust to occlusion and scene changes due to their global nature. This paper describes techniques for performing robust camera position determination. Input images are divided into separate local areas, with camera position determined through eigenspace analysis for each area individually. The positions of occluded sections are ignored in determining the final camera position. The detection of occluded sections is determined by applying a threshold to the eigenspace reconstruction error of the input images. Experiments were performed determining the translational position of a camera and analyzing the magnitude of the errors caused by occlusion, the ability to detect different size occlusions and the accuracy improvement provided by the subsectioning technique.
Depletion potentials near geometrically structured substrates

Using the recently developed so-called White Bear version of Rosenfeld's Fundamental Measure Theory we calculate the depletion potentials between a hard-sphere colloidal particle in a solvent of small hard spheres and simple models of geometrically structured substrates: a right-angled wedge or edge. In the wedge geometry, there is a strong attraction beyond the corresponding one near a planar wall that significantly influences the structure of colloidal suspensions in wedges. In accordance with an experimental study, for the edge geometry we find a free-energy barrier of the order of several kBT which repels a big colloidal particle from the edge.
Validation of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) in a Greek Sample

Over the past few years, the concern for psychological well-being has emerged as one of the most crucial targets for social scientists and health professionals. One of the factors that contribute to psychological health is finding meaning in ones’ life. Contemporary literature distinguishes between two types of meaning in life, namely 1) searching for meaning in life and 2) meaning in life achievement. The most prominent psychometric tool for the measurement of meaning in life is the Meaning in Life Questionnaire. The present study aimed at validating the MLQ in a sample of 6287 Greek adults. Exploratory factor analysis revealed two principal factors matching the factorial structure of the original validation. Results showed overall that all items have satisfactory psychometric properties. Further research and validation targets are discussed.
Sphincter of Oddi Manometry: Reproducibility of Measurements and Effect of Sphincterotomy in the EPISOD Study

Background/Aims The reproducibility of sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) measurements and results of SOM after sphincterotomy has not been studied sufficiently. The aim of our study is to evaluate the reproducibility of SOM and completeness of sphincter ablation. Methods The recently published Evaluating Predictors and Interventions in sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (EPISOD) study included 214 subjects with post-cholecystectomy pain, and fit the criteria of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction type III. They were randomized into 3 arms, irrespective of manometric findings: sham (no sphincterotomy), biliary sphincterotomy, and dual (biliary and pancreatic). Thirty-eight subjects had both biliary and pancreatic manometries performed twice, at baseline and at repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after 1–11 months. Sham arm was examined to assess the reproducibility of manometry, and the treatment arms to assess whether the sphincterotomies were complete (elevated pressures were normalized). Results Biliary and pancreatic measurements were reproduced in 7/14 (50%) untreated subjects. All 12 patients with initially elevated biliary pressures in biliary and dual sphincterotomy groups normalized after biliary sphincterotomy. However, 2 of 8 subjects with elevated pancreatic pressures in the dual sphincterotomy group remained abnormal after pancreatic sphincterotomy. Paradoxically, normal biliary pressures became abnormal in 1 of 15 subjects after biliary sphincterotomy, and normal pancreatic pressures became abnormal in 5 of 15 patients after biliary sphincterotomy, and in 1 of 9 after pancreatic sphincterotomy. Conclusions Our data suggest that SOM measurements are poorly reproducible, and question whether we could adequately perform pancreatic sphincterotomy.
A Novel Set-Based Particle Swarm Optimization Method for Discrete Optimization Problems

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is predominately used to find solutions for continuous optimization problems. As the operators of PSO are originally designed in an n-dimensional continuous space, the advancement of using PSO to find solutions in a discrete space is at a slow pace. In this paper, a novel set-based PSO (S-PSO) method for the solutions of some combinatorial optimization problems (COPs) in discrete space is presented. The proposed S-PSO features the following characteristics. First, it is based on using a set-based representation scheme that enables S-PSO to characterize the discrete search space of COPs. Second, the candidate solution and velocity are defined as a crisp set, and a set with possibilities, respectively. All arithmetic operators in the velocity and position updating rules used in the original PSO are replaced by the operators and procedures defined on crisp sets, and sets with possibilities in S-PSO. The S-PSO method can thus follow a similar structure to the original PSO for searching in a discrete space. Based on the proposed S-PSO method, most of the existing PSO variants, such as the global version PSO, the local version PSO with different topologies, and the comprehensive learning PSO (CLPSO), can be extended to their corresponding discrete versions. These discrete PSO versions based on S-PSO are tested on two famous COPs: the traveling salesman problem and the multidimensional knapsack problem. Experimental results show that the discrete version of the CLPSO algorithm based on S-PSO is promising.
A New Deterministic Linear Network Coding and Its Application on Multicast Network

Network coding is a promising technique to improve the resource efficiency and reliability for multicast networks. With network coding, each node of the multicast network is able to generate and transmit encoded data of information. This paper proposes a deterministic linear network coding scheme. This scheme exploits a special type of network topology called uniform network. This network structure is proved that it can achieve higher network coding gain with network coding. The scheme can accommodate dynamic membership and construct a much simple overlay network topology. The system performance is further improved, whether in throughput or in reliability. Our simulation results show that the new scheme can improve throughput, compared to the traditional multicast system, by at most 10% to 15%. Moreover, it achieves good reliability and robustness to dynamic peer arrival or leave.
A Chandra observation of the interacting pair of galaxies NGC 4485/4490

We report the results of a 20-ks Chandra ACIS-S observation of the galaxy pair NGC 4485/4490. This is an interacting system containing a late-type spiral with an enhanced star formation rate (NGC 4490), and an irregular companion that possesses a disturbed morphology. A total of 29 discrete X-ray sources are found coincident with NGC 4490, but only one is found within NGC 4485. The sources range in observed X-ray luminosity from ∼ 2 × 10 37 to 4 × 10 39 erg s −1 . The more luminous sources appear, on average, to be spectrally harder than the fainter sources, an effect that is attributable to increased absorption in their spectra. Extensive diffuse X-ray emission is detected coincident with the disc of NGC 4490, and in the tidal tail of NGC 4485, which appears to be thermal in nature and hence the signature of a hot interstellar medium in both galaxies. However, the diffuse component accounts for only ∼10 per cent of the total X-ray luminosity of the system (2 × 10 40 erg s −1 , 0.5‐8 keV), which arises predominantly in a handful of the brightest discrete sources. This diffuse emission fraction is unusually low for a galaxy pair which has many characteristics that would lead it to be classified as a starburst system, possibly as a consequence of the small gravitational potential well of the system. The discrete source population, on the other hand, is similar to that observed in other starburst systems, possessing a flat luminosity function slope of ∼− 0.6 and a total of six ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULX). Five of the ULX are identified as probable black hole X-ray binary systems, and the sixth (which is coincident with a radio continuum source) is identified as an X-ray luminous supernova remnant. The ULX all lie in star formation regions, providing further evidence of the link between the ULX phenomenon and active star formation. Importantly, this shows that even in star-forming regions, the ULX population is dominated by accreting systems. We discuss the implications of this work for physical models of the nature of ULX, and in particular how it argues against the intermediate-mass black hole hypothesis.
Saving behaviour and determinants of saving mobilization by rural financial co-operators in Tigrai Region, Ethiopia

This paper identified and examined saving behaviour and determinants of sav- ing mobilization by the rural co-operators in Southern Tigrai Ethiopia. The input for the study was obtained from randomly selected 120 rural household savers from six purpos- ively selected rural savings and credit cooperatives. The result of the study using least squares method showed that savings mobilized is determined by household annual in- come, amount of loan borrowed and year of member stay in the cooperative. These factors therefore have to be considered in designing strategies aimed at improving the saving mo- bilization of cooperative members in the study area. Besides, economically feasible coop- erative societies in the region should be encouraged among the rural households by sup- porting them with revolving funds as they are more effective and efficient in mobilizing rural savings and provide collateral plus guarantor-based loans with low default rate. This will enable them to boost up their production output and increase their savings thereby stimulating the rural economy.
Mechanisms underlying subunit independence in pyramidal neuron dendrites

Significance Historically, neurons were thought to collect synaptic currents from across their dendritic trees and passively conduct them to the soma where action potentials (APs) are generated. More recent studies have shown that dendrites can generate local spikes and thus may function as independent computational subunits. It remains unknown, however, how dendrites can maintain the integrity and separateness of their local computations, which depend on voltage, despite the repeated synchronization of dendritic potentials by back-propagating somatic APs. This modeling study identifies three biophysical specializations that allow dendrites to remain functionally independent in a firing neuron, one of which is the somatic spiking mechanism itself. Our results suggest that a major class of neurons has been optimized for subunitized computation. Pyramidal neuron (PN) dendrites compartmentalize voltage signals and can generate local spikes, which has led to the proposal that their dendrites act as independent computational subunits within a multilayered processing scheme. However, when a PN is strongly activated, back-propagating action potentials (bAPs) sweeping outward from the soma synchronize dendritic membrane potentials many times per second. How PN dendrites maintain the independence of their voltage-dependent computations, despite these repeated voltage resets, remains unknown. Using a detailed compartmental model of a layer 5 PN, and an improved method for quantifying subunit independence that incorporates a more accurate model of dendritic integration, we first established that the output of each dendrite can be almost perfectly predicted by the intensity and spatial configuration of its own synaptic inputs, and is nearly invariant to the rate of bAP-mediated “cross-talk” from other dendrites over a 100-fold range. Then, through an analysis of conductance, voltage, and current waveforms within the model cell, we identify three biophysical mechanisms that together help make independent dendritic computation possible in a firing neuron, suggesting that a major subtype of neocortical neuron has been optimized for layered, compartmentalized processing under in-vivo–like spiking conditions.
Drivers of leaf-out phenology and their implications for species invasions: insights from Thoreau's Concord.

To elucidate climate-driven changes in leaf-out phenology and their implications for species invasions, we observed and experimentally manipulated leaf out of invasive and native woody plants in Concord, MA, USA. Using observations collected by Henry David Thoreau (1852-1860) and our own observations (2009-2013), we analyzed changes in leaf-out timing and sensitivity to temperature for 43 woody plant species. We experimentally tested winter chilling requirements of 50 species by exposing cut branches to warm indoor temperatures (22°C) during the winter and spring of 2013. Woody species are now leafing out an average of 18 d earlier than they did in the 1850s, and are advancing at a rate of 5 ± 1 d °C(-1) . Functional groups differ significantly in the duration of chilling they require to leaf out: invasive shrubs generally have weaker chilling requirements than native shrubs and leaf out faster in the laboratory and earlier in the field; native trees have the strongest chilling requirements. Our results suggest that invasive shrub species will continue to have a competitive advantage as the climate warms, because native plants are slower to respond to warming spring temperatures and, in the future, may not meet their chilling requirements.
The practice of scalecraft: Scale, policy and the politics of the market in England’s academy schools

This paper builds on geographical understandings of scalar practices and illustrates how they can enrich studies of policymaking, in particular for the area of education policy. It achieves this by integrating a focus on ‘scalecraft’ with an approach to ‘policy as practice’ featuring in critical policy studies. The paper draws on one of the few empirical studies of England’s academy schools policy and analyses the work of actors tasked with implementing the policy in two local authority case studies. Analysis presents a new critical perspective on the academies policy by revealing how policy actors’ work is underpinned by scalecraft practices. The analysis also reveals how scalecraft intersects with marketisation politics to create scalar tensions which profoundly shape the work of policy actors. The paper uses its analytical findings to conceptually develop the relationship between scalar practices and the politics of the market, and to propose new conceptual dimensions for understanding the practice of scalecraft.