Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of an Electrochemical Biosensor for the Detection of Aflatoxin M1 in Milk

We have developed an electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of ultratrace amounts of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in food products. The sensor was based on a competitive immunoassay using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a tag. Magnetic nanoparticles coated with antibody (anti-AFM1) were used to separate the bound and unbound fractions. The samples containing AFM1 were incubated with a fixed amount of antibody and tracer [AFM1 linked to HRP (conjugate)] until the system reached equilibrium. Competition occurs between the antigen (AFM1) and the conjugate for the antibody. Then, the mixture was deposited on the surface of screen-printed carbon electrodes, and the mediator [5-methylphenazinium methyl sulphate (MPMS)] was added. The enzymatic response was measured amperometrically. A standard range (0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 ppb) of AFM1-contaminated milk from the ELISA kit was used to obtain a standard curve for AFM1. To test the detection sensitivity of our sensor, samples of commercial milk were supplemented at 0.01, 0.025, 0.05 or 0.1 ppb with AFM1. Our immunosensor has a low detection limit (0.01 ppb), which is under the recommended level of AFM1 [0.05 μg L-1 (ppb)], and has good reproducibility.
Coalition Formation and the Ancillary Benefits of Climate Policy

Several studies found ancillary benefits of environmental policy to be of considerable size. These additional private benefits imply not only higher cooperative but also noncooperative abatement targets. However, beyond these largely undisputed important quantitative effects, there are qualitative and strategic implications associated with ancillary benefits: climate policy is no longer a pure but an impure public good. In this paper, we investigate these implications in a setting of non-cooperative coalition formation. In particular, we address the following questions. 1) Do ancillary benefits increase participation in international environmental agreements? 2) Do ancillary benefits raise the success of these treaties in welfare terms?
Transcriptomic Analysis of Rice (Oryza sativa) Developing Embryos Using the RNA-Seq Technique

Rice (Oryza sativa) is an excellent model monocot with a known genome sequence for studying embryogenesis. Here we report the transcriptome profiling analysis of rice developing embryos using RNA-Seq as an attempt to gain insight into the molecular and cellular events associated with rice embryogenesis. RNA-Seq analysis generated 17,755,890 sequence reads aligned with 27,190 genes, which provided abundant data for the analysis of rice embryogenesis. A total of 23,971, 23,732, and 23,592 genes were identified from embryos at three developmental stages (3–5, 7, and 14 DAP), while an analysis between stages allowed the identification of a subset of stage-specific genes. The number of genes expressed stage-specifically was 1,131, 1,443, and 1,223, respectively. In addition, we investigated transcriptomic changes during rice embryogenesis based on our RNA-Seq data. A total of 1,011 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (log2Ratio ≥1, FDR ≤0.001) were identified; thus, the transcriptome of the developing rice embryos changed considerably. A total of 672 genes with significant changes in expression were detected between 3–5 and 7 DAP; 504 DEGs were identified between 7 and 14 DAP. A large number of genes related to metabolism, transcriptional regulation, nucleic acid replication/processing, and signal transduction were expressed predominantly in the early and middle stages of embryogenesis. Protein biosynthesis-related genes accumulated predominantly in embryos at the middle stage. Genes for starch/sucrose metabolism and protein modification were highly expressed in the middle and late stages of embryogenesis. In addition, we found that many transcription factor families may play important roles at different developmental stages, not only in embryo initiation but also in other developmental processes. These results will expand our understanding of the complex molecular and cellular events in rice embryogenesis and provide a foundation for future studies on embryo development in rice and other cereal crops.
BnMs3 is required for tapetal differentiation and degradation, microspore separation, and pollen-wall biosynthesis in Brassica napus

7365AB, a recessive genetic male sterility system, is controlled by BnMs3 in Brassica napus, which encodes a Tic40 protein required for tapetum development. However, the role of BnMs3 in rapeseed anther development is still largely unclear. In this research, cytological analysis revealed that anther development of a Bnms3 mutant has defects in the transition of the tapetum to the secretory type, callose degradation, and pollen-wall formation. A total of 76 down-regulated unigenes in the Bnms3 mutant, several of which are associated with tapetum development, callose degeneration, and pollen development, were isolated by suppression subtractive hybridization combined with a macroarray analysis. Reverse genetics was applied by means of Arabidopsis insertional mutant lines to characterize the function of these unigenes and revealed that MSR02 is only required for transport of sporopollenin precursors through the plasma membrane of the tapetum. The real-time PCR data have further verified that BnMs3 plays a primary role in tapetal differentiation by affecting the expression of a few key transcription factors, participates in tapetal degradation by modulating the expression of cysteine protease genes, and influences microspore separation by manipulating the expression of BnA6 and BnMSR66 related to callose degradation and of BnQRT1 and BnQRT3 required for the primary cell-wall degradation of the pollen mother cell. Moreover, BnMs3 takes part in pollen-wall formation by affecting the expression of a series of genes involved in biosynthesis and transport of sporopollenin precursors. All of the above results suggest that BnMs3 participates in tapetum development, microspore release, and pollen-wall formation in B. napus.
The relative contribution of diet and genotype to bone development

The present review addresses the relative contribution of diet and genotype to variability in human bone growth and mineralisation in the context of the aetiology of osteoporosis. Heritability studies indicate that 60–70 % of the variability in bone mineral mass or bone mineral density (BMD) can be accounted for by genetic variation. Cross-trait analyses suggest that a proportion of this variation reflects genetic influences on bone and body size, such as height and lean body mass. Candidate-gene studies have demonstrated associations between several genetic polymorphisms and bone mineral mass but, as yet, genotype determinations have proved unhelpful in identifying individuals at increased risk of osteoporosis. Variations in diet and other environmental factors contribute 30–40 % to total phenotypic variance in bone mineral mass or BMD. Correlations between intakes of individual nutrients and BMD have been reported, but these relationships are subject to confounding due to size. However, no specific dietary factor has been identified from prospective and twin studies as making a significant contribution to environmental variability in BMD or bone loss. This finding may reflect the difficulties in quantifying environmental exposures, both current and over a lifetime. In addition, the influence of diet on bone health may depend on the genotype of the individual. Optimisation of nutrition and lifestyle remains an attractive strategy for the reduction of fracture risk, but more research is required to fully define optimal dietary requirements.
Neuroprotective Effects of Reactive Oxygen Species Mediated by BDNF-Independent Activation of TrkB

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have diverse biological consequences in the mammalian CNS, but the molecular targets mediating these pleiotropic effects are incompletely understood. Like ROS, the neurotrophin receptor, TrkB receptor tyrosine kinase, has diverse effects in the developing and mature mammalian brain. Our discovery that zinc can transactivate TrkB, together with the finding that ROS can trigger zinc release from cytosolic zinc binding proteins, led us to hypothesize that ROS can transactivate TrkB in CNS neurons by a zinc-dependent mechanism. We found that both exogenous H2O2 and endogenous ROS activate TrkB signaling by a Src family kinase-dependent but brain-derived neurotrophic factor-independent mechanism in cultured rat cortical neurons. Exogenous H2O2 enhances cytosolic zinc content in a metallothionein-3 (MT-3)-requiring manner. Both exogenous H2O2 and endogenous ROS mediated transactivation of TrkB requires intracellular zinc and MT-3. The ROS-triggered transactivation of TrkB exerts neuroprotective effects, because inhibition of TrkB kinase activity or uncoupling Shc signaling from TrkB exacerbates neuronal cell death induced by H2O2. Thus, we propose a molecular signaling event whereby ROS induce release of zinc from cytosolic MT-3, the increased cytosolic zinc transactivates TrkB, and the enhanced Shc signaling downstream from TrkB promotes prosurvival effects. We suggest that such neuroprotective effects mediated by ROS are operative in diverse acute and chronic neurological disorders.
Flame detection for the steam boiler using neural networks and image information in the Ulsan steam power generation plant

Several types of detectors such as ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), visible light (VL), different pressure, flame rod, and others are employed to detect a fire flame in power generation plants. However, these flame detectors have some performance problems. Therefore, this paper describes the image-processing method of fire detection as well as the neural-network modeling. Nowadays, the image-processing technique is broadly applied in the industrial fields. An extracted image information is taken into the inputs of the neural-network model. The neural-network model has strong adaptability and learning capability; therefore, this model can be suitable for pattern classification. The Ulsan Steam Power Generation Plant in Korea is employed as the test field. If this technique can be implemented in physical plants, the boilers can be operated economically and effectively.
Precise Error Analysis of Regularized  $M$ -Estimators in High Dimensions

A popular approach for estimating an unknown signal <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \mathbf {x}_{0}\in \mathbb {R} ^{n}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> from noisy, linear measurements <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \mathbf {y}= \mathbf {A} \mathbf {x} _{0}+ \mathbf {z}\in \mathbb {R}^{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is via solving a so called <italic>regularized</italic> <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-estimator: <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\hat{\mathbf {x}} :=\arg \min _ \mathbf {x} \mathcal {L} (\mathbf {y}- \mathbf {A} \mathbf {x})+\lambda f(\mathbf {x})$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. Here, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \mathcal {L}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is a convex loss function, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$f$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is a convex (typically, non-smooth) regularizer, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda > 0$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is a regularizer parameter. We analyze the squared error performance <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\|\hat{\mathbf {x}} - \mathbf {x}_{0}\|_{2}^{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of such estimators in the <italic>high-dimensional proportional regime</italic> where <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$m,n\rightarrow \infty $ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$m/n\rightarrow \delta $ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The design matrix <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$ \mathbf {A}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is assumed to have entries iid Gaussian; only minimal and rather mild regularity conditions are imposed on the loss function, the regularizer, and on the noise and signal distributions. We show that the squared error converges in probability to a nontrivial limit that is given as the solution to a minimax convex-concave optimization problem on four scalar optimization variables. We identify a new summary parameter, termed the <italic>expected Moreau envelope</italic> to play a central role in the error characterization. The <italic>precise</italic> nature of the results permits an accurate performance comparison between different instances of regularized <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-estimators and allows to optimally tune the involved parameters (such as the regularizer parameter and the number of measurements). The key ingredient of our proof is the <italic>convex Gaussian min-max theorem</italic> which is a tight and strengthened version of a classical Gaussian comparison inequality that was proved by Gordon in 1988.
On variable length codes for iterative source/channel decoding

We focus on a trellis-based decoding technique for variable length codes (VLCs) which does not require any additional side information besides the number of bits in the coded sequence. A bit-level soft-in/soft-out decoder based on this trellis is used as an outer component decoder in an iterative decoding scheme for a serially concatenated source/channel coding system. In contrast to previous approaches using this kind of trellis we do not consider the received sequence as a concatenation of variable length codewords, but as one long code word of a (weak) binary channel code which can be soft-in/soft-out decoded. By evaluating the distance properties of selected variable length codes we show that some codes are more suitable for trellis-based decoding than others. Finally we present simulation results which show the performance of the iterative decoding approach.
PCSK9 Association With Lipoprotein(a).

RATIONALE Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a highly atherogenic low-density lipoprotein-like particle characterized by the presence of apoprotein(a) [apo(a)] bound to apolipoprotein B. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) selectively binds low-density lipoprotein; we hypothesized that it can also be associated with Lp(a) in plasma. OBJECTIVE Characterize the association of PCSK9 and Lp(a) in 39 subjects with high Lp(a) levels (range 39-320 mg/dL) and in transgenic mice expressing either human apo(a) only or human Lp(a) (via coexpression of human apo(a) and human apolipoprotein B). METHODS AND RESULTS We show that PCSK9 is physically associated with Lp(a) in vivo using 3 different approaches: (1) analysis of Lp(a) fractions isolated by ultracentrifugation; (2) immunoprecipitation of plasma using antibodies to PCSK9 and immunodetection of apo(a); (3) ELISA quantification of Lp(a)-associated PCSK9. Plasma PCSK9 levels correlated with Lp(a) levels, but not with the number of kringle IV-2 repeats. PCSK9 did not bind to apo(a) only, and the association of PCSK9 with Lp(a) was not affected by the loss of the apo(a) region responsible for binding oxidized phospholipids. Preferential association of PCSK9 with Lp(a) versus low-density lipoprotein (1.7-fold increase) was seen in subjects with high Lp(a) and normal low-density lipoprotein. Finally, Lp(a)-associated PCSK9 levels directly correlated with plasma Lp(a) levels but not with total plasma PCSK9 levels. CONCLUSIONS Our results show, for the first time, that plasma PCSK9 is found in association with Lp(a) particles in humans with high Lp(a) levels and in mice carrying human Lp(a). Lp(a)-bound PCSK9 may be pursued as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk.
A Novel MPPT Technique Based on an Image of PV Modules

PV modules operating under partially shaded conditions exhibit multiple peaks in their output power curves, which cause the majority of the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques to become trapped in a local power peak. This unfortunately leads to additional energy losses that could otherwise be harvested if the global maximum power peak (GMPP) were correctly tracked. The available MPPT methods that are able to track the GMPP require periodic scanning of the PV curve, which disturbs the operation of the system and causes energy losses. A new MPPT technique is proposed in this paper that is distinguished by its ability to find the GMPP without the need for periodic curve scanning. The proposed method utilizes the mathematical model of the PV module, as well as the irradiances received by its PV cells, to analytically calculate the location of the GMPP. The required irradiances are innovatively estimated using an image of the PV module captured by an optical camera. The proposed method is also combined with the perturb and observe method to compensate for errors in the model or irradiance estimation. Experimental verifications are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed MPPT method under various shading scenarios.
Modeling and LPV flight control of the Canard Rotor/ Wing unmanned aerial vehicle

The concept, known as the Canard Rotor/Wing (CRW) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) combines the hover flight characteristic of a helicopter with high subsonic cruise of a fixed-wing aircraft. The longitudinal flight dynamic model of CRW was developed, and the trim result was derived in the full flight envelope. The linear model of CRW was derived by the Jacobian linear method, and it was nonlinearly dependent on the time-varying flight speed and altitude. The tensor-product (TP) model transformation was adopted to transform the model to a convex polytopic model form. Hence, a linear parameter-varying (LPV) synthesis method was used to design the flight control system of CRW in the rotary mode. The simulation results show that the desired performance objectives are achieved in the rotary flight stage.
Size Does Matter: Why Polyploid Tumor Cells are Critical Drug Targets in the War on Cancer

Tumor evolution presents a formidable obstacle that currently prevents the development of truly curative treatments for cancer. In this perspective, we advocate for the hypothesis that tumor cells with significantly elevated genomic content (polyploid tumor cells) facilitate rapid tumor evolution and the acquisition of therapy resistance in multiple incurable cancers. We appeal to studies conducted in yeast, cancer models, and cancer patients, which all converge on the hypothesis that polyploidy enables large phenotypic leaps, providing access to many different therapy-resistant phenotypes. We develop a flow-cytometry based method for quantifying the prevalence of polyploid tumor cells, and show the frequency of these cells in patient tumors may be higher than is generally appreciated. We then present recent studies identifying promising new therapeutic strategies that could be used to specifically target polyploid tumor cells in cancer patients. We argue that these therapeutic approaches should be incorporated into new treatment strategies aimed at blocking tumor evolution by killing the highly evolvable, therapy-resistant polyploid cell subpopulations, thus helping to maintain patient tumors in a drug sensitive state.
From Hopelessness to Transformation in Geography Classrooms

Abstract We renew a call for action and build on work by geographers and others who have detailed how hopelessness emerges and the consequences this has for teaching and learning about the environment in universities. Scholars have written about a sense of hopelessness in students and faculty, anecdotal evidence supports it, and a survey we distributed in our courses confirms it. Here we contribute to this ongoing conversation by examining possibilities and limitations college teachers navigate when trying to implement teaching strategies that may help foster hope and agency in their students in relation to environmental issues. We conclude by putting forth three steps for educators to initiate efforts to encourage a sense of possibility in students and conclude with specific actions educators can take individually and collectively to overcome hopelessness in university classrooms and beyond.
Trust in Electronic Markets - Customers' Perspective

People have trusted in face-to-face interaction more than any other modes of interactions to develop relationships and as a result of which one of the most concerned problem that the electronic world is facing, is the lack of trust. For online trust development, study of customer behavior is must as customers, in present context, have become more fickle and product cycles are shortening. This research addresses the issues of trust development in Internet shopping and proposes a systematic methodology to develop trust through orientation of electronic customers. All these objectives have been accomplished in three steps; firstly, the factors that influence trust development in Internet shopping are identified and their association with electronic customers’ Internet shopping experience is established. Secondly, the electronic customer base is divided into five segments, using a-priori predictive method. The data collected about the electronic customers was mapped onto these segments, which resonate with the identified segments. Lastly, the factors, influencing the trust in Internet shopping, identified were combined with the segments of electronic customers to develop a segment specific electronic customer orientation methodology. In this study, it is shown that, not all the electronic customers want the same treatment from the online vendors, as their needs and desires are different and they expect more personal treatment.
A floating-point CORDIC based SVD processor

An SVD processor system is presented in which each processing element is implemented using a simple CORDIC unit. The internal recursive loop within the CORDIC module is exploited, with pipelining being used to multiplex the two independent microrotations onto a single CORDIC processor. This leads to a high performance and efficient hardware architecture. In addition, a novel method for scale factor correction is presented which only need be applied once at the end of the computation. This also reduces the computation time. The net result is an SVD architecture based on a conventional CORDIC approach, which combines high performance with high silicon area efficiency.
IMAGE FUSION PARAMETER ESTIMATION AND COMPARISONBETWEEN SVD AND DWT TECHNIQUE

Image fusion is implemented on blurred images using two techniques SVD and DWT. Computer based algorithm is design for SVD and DWT for enhancing the images. A low pixel value images were captured using an optical sensor. These images were blurred using circular averaging filter with different averaging value ranging from 1- 5. Parameters such as peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), root mean square error (RMSE), signal to noise ratio (SNR), and universal image quality index (UIQI) for blurred, SVD, and DWT fused images. From the computed values of UIQI SVD shows maximum value with respect to DWT fusion techniques.