Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Design of Memristive Circuit for Affective Multi-Associative Learning

In this work, a memristive circuit with affective multi-associative learning function is proposed, which mimics the process of human affective formation. It mainly contains three modules: affective associative learning, affective formation, affective expression. The first module is composed of several affective single-associative learning circuits consisting of memristive neurons and synapses. Memristive neuron will be activated and output pulses if its input exceeds the threshold. After it is activated, memristive neuron can automatically return to the inactive state. Memristive synapse can realize learning and forgetting functions based on the signals from pre- and post-neurons. The learning rule is pre-neuron activated lags behind post-neuron for a short time; the forgetting rule is to repeatedly activate pre-neuron after the emotion is learned. The process of learning or forgetting corresponds to facilitating or inhibiting synaptic weight, that is, decreasing or increasing memristance continuously. Different voltage signals applied to memristors and different parameters of memristors would lead to different synaptic weights which indicate different affective association. The second module can convert affective signals to corresponding emotions. The formed emotions can be shown in a face by the third module. The simulation results in PSPICE show that the proposed circuit system can learn, forget and form emotions like human. If the proposed circuit is further used on a humanoid robot platform through further research, the robot will have the ability of affective interaction with human so that it can be effectively used in affective company and other aspects.
Predictive role of heterozygous p.R4810K of RNF213 in the phenotype of Chinese moyamoya disease

Objective Precise genetic analyses were conducted with ring finger protein 213 (RNF213) in relation to a particular clinical phenotype in Chinese patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) to determine whether heterozygosity is responsible for the early-onset and severe form of this disease. Methods A case–control study for RNF213 p.R4810K involving 1,385 Chinese patients with MMD and 2,903 normal control participants was performed. Correlation analyses between genotype and phenotype or different clinical features were also statistically explored. Results An obvious trend was observed: the carrying rate of RNF213 p.R4810K gradually decreased when moving from coastal cities in northeast, north, and east China to southern cities or inland areas. Higher frequencies of p.R4810K were observed in patients with MMD compared with control participants (odds ratio, 48.1; 95% confidence interval, 29.1–79.6; p = 1.6 × 10−141). In addition, the onset age of all patients with the GA and AA genotypes were lower than with the GG genotype, and the median onset age was 40.0, 36.0, and 11.5 years with GG, GA, and AA, respectively, thereby confirming that those with GA or AA could acquire MMD during early life stages. Patients with MMD with the GA genotype were more susceptible to posterior cerebral artery (PCA) involvement compared to those with the GG genotype (38.4% vs 23.3%, p = 8.3 × 10−7). Conclusions Strong evidence suggests that the carrying rate of RNF213 p.R4810K is closely related MMD risk in China and has given rise to an earlier onset age and more severe PCA involvement.
Depotentiation depends on IP3 receptor activation sustained by synaptic inputs after LTP induction

In CA1 neurons of guinea pig hippocampal slices, long-term potentiation (LTP) was induced in field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) or population spikes (PSs) by the delivery of high-frequency stimulation (HFS, 100 pulses at 100 Hz) to CA1 synapses, and was reversed by the delivery of a train of low-frequency stimulation (LFS, 1000 pulses at 2 Hz) at 30 min after HFS (depotentiation), and this effect was inhibited when test synaptic stimulation was halted for a 19-min period after HFS or for a 20-min period after LFS or applied over the same time period in the presence of an antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), or inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs). Depotentiation was also blocked by the application of a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibitor or a calcineurin inhibitor applied in the presence of test synaptic input for a 10-min period after HFS or for a 20-min period after LFS. These results suggest that, in postsynaptic neurons, the coactivation of NMDARs and group I mGluRs due to sustained synaptic activity following LTP induction results in the activation of IP3Rs and CaMKII, which leads to the activation of calcineurin after LFS and depotentiation of CA1 synaptic responses.
Grain-Boundary-Induced Alignment of Block Copolymer Thin Films

We present and discuss the capability of grain boundaries to induce order in block copolymer thin films between horizontally and vertically assembled block copolymer grains. The system we use as a proof of principle is a thermally annealed 23.4 nm full-pitch lamellar Polystyrene-block-polymethylmetacrylate (PS-b-PMMA) di-block copolymer. In this paper, grain-boundary-induced alignment is achieved by the mechanical removal of the neutral brush layer via atomic force microscopy (AFM). The concept is also confirmed by a mask-less e-beam direct writing process. An elongated grain of vertically aligned lamellae is trapped between two grains of horizontally aligned lamellae. This configuration leads to the formation of 90° twist grain boundaries. The features maintain their orientation on a characteristic length scale, which is described by the material’s correlation length ξ. As a result of an energy minimization process, the block copolymer domains in the vertically aligned grain orient perpendicularly to the grain boundary. The energy-minimizing feature is the grain boundary itself. The width of the manipulated area (e.g., the horizontally aligned grain) does not represent a critical process parameter.
Characterization of Back-Scattering and Multipath in a Suburban Area after the Calibration of an X-Band Commercial Radar

The increasing interest in the radar detection of low-elevation and small-size targets in complicated ground environments (such as urban, suburban, and mixed country areas) calls for a precise quantification of the radar detection capabilities in those areas. Hence, a set of procedures is devised and tested, both theoretically and experimentally, using a commercial X-band radar, to (i) calibrate the radar sensor (with an online evaluation of its losses) using standard scatterers, (ii) measure the multipath effect and compensate for it, and (iii) create “true radar cross section” maps of the area of interest for both point and distributed clutter. The above methods and the related field results are aimed at future qualification procedures and practical usage of small, cheap, and easily moveable radars for the detection of low-observable air targets, such as unmanned air vehicles/systems (UAV/UAS), in difficult ground areas. A significant set of experimental results as discussed in the paper confirms the great relevance of multipath in ground-based radar detection, with the need for correcting measures.
Effect of Dietary Protein Sources Substituting Soybean Meal on Growth Performance and Meat Quality in Ducks

Simple Summary The presented results are from a scientific trial, in which vegetable protein from legumes was tested as an alternative to soybean meal in feed for Pekin ducks. Meat traits were evaluated, and the results showed that yellow lupin and rapeseed meal can be used as a substitute for soybean meal, as they provide similar productivity effectiveness and meat quality traits. The results demonstrate that there is a possibility of presenting a wider choice for duck producers and the consumer market. Abstract The study aimed to examine the growth performance and meat quality of Pekin ducks fed diets consisting of various protein source alternatives (groups: II—yellow lupin (YL) and rapeseed meal (RSM); III—YL and narrow-leaved lupin (NLL); IV—pea and YL; V—RSM, YL, NLL and pea) to (I) soybean meal (SBM) and RSM. Four hundred and twenty ducks were assigned to five groups with six replicates (14 birds per group). After 7 weeks, 10 ducks from each group were slaughtered. Breast muscles were analyzed for water-holding capacity, drip loss, color, and elasticity. Productivity parameters did not differ between groups I and II but were lower in V. The weight of carcass, neck with skin, skin with subcutaneous fat and total fat were highest in group II. The proportion of wings was higher in group V. In group II, lightness (L*) was higher, but redness (a*) was lower. In groups, I and III, L* was lower and a* was higher. Breast muscles contained more protein in groups I and II, more fat in groups I and III and more water in groups II and IV. The inclusion of vegetable protein alternatives to SBM in duck diets provided the best results in birds fed with YL and RSM (ratio of 1:0:31 in starter and 1:0.81 in grower).
Mapping Spatial Variations of Structure and Function Parameters for Forest Condition Assessment of the Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve

Forest condition is the baseline information for ecological evaluation and management. The National Forest Inventory of China contains structural parameters, such as canopy closure, stand density and forest age, and functional parameters, such as stand volume and soil fertility. Conventionally forest conditions are assessed through parameters collected from field observations, which could be costly and spatially limited. It is crucial to develop modeling approaches in mapping forest assessment parameters from satellite remote sensing. This study mapped structure and function parameters for forest condition assessment in the Changbai Mountain National Nature Reserve (CMNNR). The mapping algorithms, including statistical regression, random forests, and random forest kriging, were employed with predictors from Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS)-2, Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 satellite sensors, digital surface model of ALOS, and 1803 field sampled forest plots. Combined predicted parameters and weights from principal component analysis, forest conditions were assessed. The models explained spatial dynamics and characteristics of forest parameters based on an independent validation with all r values above 0.75. The root mean square error (RMSE) values of canopy closure, stand density, stand volume, forest age and soil fertility were 4.6%, 33.8%, 29.4%, 20.5%, and 14.3%, respectively. The mean assessment score suggested that forest conditions in the CMNNR are mainly resulted from spatial variations of function parameters such as stand volume and soil fertility. This study provides a methodology on forest condition assessment at regional scales, as well as the up-to-date information for the forest ecosystem in the CMNNR.
Innovations in Camera Trapping Technology and Approaches: The Integration of Citizen Science and Artificial Intelligence

Simple Summary Camera traps, also known as “game cameras” or “trail cameras”, have increasingly been used in wildlife research over the last 20 years. Although early units were bulky and the set-up was complicated, modern camera traps are compact, integrated units able to collect vast digital datasets. Some of the challenges now facing researchers include the time required to view, classify, and sort all of the footage collected, as well as the logistics of establishing and maintaining camera trap sampling arrays across wide geographic areas. One solution to this problem is to enlist or recruit the public for help as ‘citizen scientists’ collecting and processing data. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also being used to identify animals in digital photos and video; however, this process is relatively new, and machine-based classifications are not yet fully reliable. By combining citizen science with AI, it should be possible to improve efficiency and increase classification accuracy, while simultaneously maintaining and promoting the benefits associated with public engagement with, and awareness of, wildlife. Abstract Camera trapping has become an increasingly reliable and mainstream tool for surveying a diversity of wildlife species. Concurrent with this has been an increasing effort to involve the wider public in the research process, in an approach known as ‘citizen science’. To date, millions of people have contributed to research across a wide variety of disciplines as a result. Although their value for public engagement was recognised early on, camera traps were initially ill-suited for citizen science. As camera trap technology has evolved, cameras have become more user-friendly and the enormous quantities of data they now collect has led researchers to seek assistance in classifying footage. This has now made camera trap research a prime candidate for citizen science, as reflected by the large number of camera trap projects now integrating public participation. Researchers are also turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist with classification of footage. Although this rapidly-advancing field is already proving a useful tool, accuracy is variable and AI does not provide the social and engagement benefits associated with citizen science approaches. We propose, as a solution, more efforts to combine citizen science with AI to improve classification accuracy and efficiency while maintaining public involvement.
Dealing with several flagella in the same cell

Flagella are sophisticated organelles found in many eukaryotic microbes where they perform functions related to motility, signal detection, or cell morphogenesis. In many cases, several flagella are present per cell, and these can have a different composition, length, age, or function, raising the question of how this is managed. When the flagella are equivalent and constructed simultaneously such as in Chlamydomonas or Naegleria, we propose an equal access model where molecular components have free access to each organelle. By contrast, Trypanosoma and Leishmania contain temporally distinct organelles and elongate a new flagellum whilst maintaining the existing one. The equal access model could function providing that the mature flagellum is “locked” so that it can no longer be elongated or shortened. Alternatively, access of flagellar components could be restricted at the level of the basal body, the transition zone, or the loading on intraflagellar transport trains. In organisms that contains flagella of different age and composition such as Giardia, a temporal dimension is necessary, with the production of protein components of flagella spreading over one or more cell cycles. In the future, deciphering the molecular mechanisms involved in these processes should reveal new insights in flagellum assembly and function.
Presbycusis: An Update on Cochlear Mechanisms and Therapies

Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI), also referred to as presbycusis, is the most common sensory impairment seen in the elderly. As our cochlea, the peripheral organ of hearing, ages, we tend to experience a decline in hearing and are at greater risk of cochlear sensory-neural cell degeneration and exacerbated age-related hearing impairments, e.g., gradual hearing loss, deterioration in speech comprehension (especially in noisy environments), difficulty in the localization sound sources, and ringing sensations in the ears. However, the aging process does not affect people uniformly; nor, in fact, does the aging process appear to be uniform even within an individual. Here, we outline recent research into chronological cochlear age in healthy people, and exacerbated hearing impairments during aging due to both extrinsic factors including noise and ototoxic medication, and intrinsic factors such as genetic predisposition, epigenetic factors, and aging. We review our current understanding of molecular pathways mediating ARHL and discuss recent discoveries in experimental hearing restoration and future prospects.
Guard Cells Integrate Light and Temperature Signals to Control Stomatal Aperture1[OPEN]

High temperature-mediated stomatal opening involves cross talk with light signaling pathways. High temperature promotes guard cell expansion, which opens stomatal pores to facilitate leaf cooling. How the high-temperature signal is perceived and transmitted to regulate stomatal aperture is, however, unknown. Here, we used a reverse-genetics approach to understand high temperature-mediated stomatal opening in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Our findings reveal that high temperature-induced guard cell movement requires components involved in blue light-mediated stomatal opening, suggesting cross talk between light and temperature signaling pathways. The molecular players involved include phototropin photoreceptors, plasma membrane H+-ATPases, and multiple members of the 14-3-3 protein family. We further show that phototropin-deficient mutants display impaired rosette evapotranspiration and leaf cooling at high temperatures. Blocking the interaction of 14-3-3 proteins with their client proteins severely impairs high temperature-induced stomatal opening but has no effect on the induction of heat-sensitive guard cell transcripts, supporting the existence of an additional intracellular high-temperature response pathway in plants.
Value chain analysis of turmeric subsector in Surkhet district of Nepal

A field experiment was carried out during the early summer seasons of 2018, at Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a high value spice crop of high medicinal and economic concern (HVAP, 2011). It has been using in Ayurveda and medicinal propose from centuries which helps to boost up digestive system, circulatory system, nervous system and immune system (Gunnar, 2018). 60 household respondents were selected using simple random technique without replacement from Beriganga Municipality, Barahataal Village Municipality and Chaukune village Municipality. 4 co-operatives were selected from each level randomly and 5 respondent from each co-operatives, i.e. 20 respondents from each local level. 3 spice industries and 7 traders were selected purposively. Secondary data were collected from secondary sources like PMAMP, journal articles, MoAD etc. Descriptive statistics, benefit cost analysis, value chain analysis were carried out. The study reveals that 81.67% of populations were engaged in agriculture occupation as a primary source of income. The BC ratio of fresh, dry and powder turmeric was found to be 1.30, 1.09 and 1.36 (machinery), 1.16 (Dhiki Jhato) respectively. Similarly the cost of production of fresh dry and powder turmeric was found to be NRs. 18.46, NRs. 119.20 and NRs. 162.92 (machinery), NRs. 189.87 (Dhiki Jhato) respectively. Market margin of fresh, dry and powder turmeric was found to be NRs. 6.03, NRs. 25.07 and NRs. 179.70 respectively. In the study area major value chain actors were providers, producers, collectors, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers. Insufficient technical support and improved seed rhizome, insufficient price to cover cost of production and traders dominance in pricing were the major problems faced by turmeric producing community. This study suggests the farmers for seed production, value addition, marketing and distribution in farm level.
Biochemical Properties and Potential Application of Proteases from Alkalophilic Bacillus lehensis G1 Authors: Noorul

The biochemical properties of extracellular proteases enzymes from Malaysia Alkalophilic’s bacteria, Bacillus lehensis G1, were investigated. The secreted enzymes were tested on 2% of skim milk agar. Results demonstrated that the enzyme could maintain the activity up to 60°C within an extensive range of pH from 3 to 11 with the optimal pH and temperature of 7.0 and 40°C, respectively. The proteases activity were also observed to be increased in the presence of several ions such as Mn2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Mg2+ and Co2+. Whilst, the enzyme activity was marginally inhibited with the addition of Ca2+, K+ and Ni2+ with the residual activity of 85%, 81%, and 75%, respectively. Furthermore, the extracellular proteases have shown to be compatible with several Malaysia commercial liquid detergents, which could be beneficial for stain removal. The potential application of proteases in gelatine decomposition from used X-ray films was also determined in this article.
Microphysical Interpretation of both Fast Alternating and Simultaneous Horizontal and Vertical Transmit Data

The polarimetric signatures from both simultaneous transmission of horizontal (H) and vertical (V) polarizations (SHV) and fast alternating H and V transmission (FHV) are modeled, analyzed and microphysically interpreted. The data show anomalies that are likely due to cross-coupling of the H and V transmitted waves due to aligned canted ice crystals. The experimental data comes from National Center for Atmospheric Research S-band radar, S-Pol, during TiMREX (Terrain-influenced Monsoon Rainfall Experiment). The S-Pol SHV data set is complemented by FHV data. The data are augmented with dual-Doppler and sounding data. T-matrix scattering simulations and a radar scatter model are used to explain the observed polarimetric signatures. A radar scattering model as well as T-matrix scattering simulations are used to explain the observed polarimetric signatures. Many weather radars now achieve dual-polarization by transmitting simultaneously both horizontal (H) and vertical (V) polarized waves simultaneously (called SHV mode here but also referred to as STAR mode). It is well known that cross-coupling of these two components occurs when the transmitted wave propagates through ice crystals that are aligned and have some mean canting angle significantly away from horizontal (Ryzhkov and Zrnić 2007; Wang and Chandrasekar 2006; Hubbert et al. 2010a,b). Electric fields are known to align ice crystals (Hendry et al. 1982; Caylor and Chandrasekar 1996; Metcalf, J.I. 1995; Krehbiel et al. 1996) and cause negative Kdp (specific differential phase). Such aligned canted ice particles can bias not only Z dr , but also LDR (linear depolarization ratio) in fast alternating transmission of H and V polarizations operations (FHV mode). Biases in both Z dr and LDR are readily evident as radial stripes in range. S-Pol SHV and FHV data gathered during TiMREX in close time proximity are analyzed and used to infer the nature of the ice crystals that are responsible for the cross-coupling and resulting observed polarimetric signatures. Negative Kdp in the ice phase in smaller convective cells, which is fairly common in the TiMREX S-Pol data, are presented and discussed. High magnitudes of Kdp (both positive and negative) in the ice