Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ability of Al- acclimatized Immobilized Nostoc muscorum to Combat Abiotic Stress and its Potential as a Biofertilizer

In the present study, an engineered cyanobacterial biofertilizer (immobilized Alacclimated cyanobacterial cells) which could be further used as inoculum to affect the overall productivity of containerized rice plants has been proposed. The cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum (N. muscorum) was well acclimatized to Al metal by initially subjecting the cells to very low dose (0.1 μM) of Al and subsequent transfer every 15 days to the higher concentrations (1, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 μM) of Al with regular growth study at each step of cells transfer to the higher concentration and immobilized in calcium alginate beads and were examined for their growth in terms of content of chlorophyll a, heterocyst frequency and ammonia excretion. Growth was more pronounced in Alacclimatized immobilized state than under free state. Heterocyst frequency and ammonia excretion were considerably higher under immobilized state than under free-living conditions. Results also showed the ameliorative role of Alacclimatization in N. muscorum exposed to UV stress. Air dried Alacclimatized immobilized cells stored under light, temperature, air and dust retained the ability to regenerate the viable colonies for upto months. From the experiments performed, it is witnessed that calcium alginate does not cause any opposing effect on regeneration potential and N2 – fixing capability of N. muscorum and the airdried beads are appropriate to store and easy to transport. Thus the present study will provide stress tolerant biofertilizer with improved storage capability and portability enabling more sustainable and efficient production in agriculture.
Subsidy Spillovers , Two Ways ∗

We study how the outputs of research spill over technological and geographic space in the context of the U.S. Small Business Innovation Research program. We infer input-output links using text analyses and identify the marginal costs of producing patents using noncompetitive grant matching policies. Due to technological spillovers, the costs of spurring specific types of patents are substantially larger than the costs of spurring any patent. Due to geographic spillovers, roughly 80% of the patents generated by the program are from inventors who never participate in the program. The cost effectiveness of research subsidies crucially depends on which outputs count. JEL Codes: O31, O33, O38 ∗This project was conducted partly within a National Academies of Sciences (NAS) review of the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Small Business Innovation Research program. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the review committee, the NAS, or the DoE. Portions of the text, mostly pertaining to the setting, data sources, and data construction, may appear in the documents that we assisted in preparing for the review. We appreciate helpful comments from Maryann Feldman, Scott Stern, Josh Lerner, Shane Greenstein, Joshua Graff Zivin, Douglas Hanley, Adam Jaffe, Riitta Katila, Iavor Bojinov, Xavier Jaravel, Sharon Belenzon, Adrien Matray, Jennifer Kuan, and Daniel Armanios. James Bouse from the U.S. Department of Transportation and John Hardin from the North Carolina Office of Science Technology and Innovation were also very helpful in sharing and interpreting the data. All errors are our own. †Harvard University, Harvard Business School (corresponding author), email: kmyers@hbs.edu. ‡University of Oregon, Lundquist College of Business, email: llanahan@uoregon.edu.
Numeric Simulation of the Steel Flow in a Slab Caster with a Box‐Type Electromagnetic Stirrer

The usage of electromagnetic actuators in the continuous steel‐casting process is on a steady rise, due to its possibilities for a sophisticated, contactless flow control. The complexity of the casting process and the ever‐increasing quality demands require a well‐founded knowledge of the interaction between the electromagnetic actuators and the liquid steel flow. Numeric modeling provides a detailed view and is therefore crucial for understanding the interaction between the electromagnetic fields and the liquid steel flow. Only a deep insight into the coupling between the liquid steel flow and the electromagnetic forces makes it possible to improve/optimize the continuous casting process. The work presented here is part of an ongoing research to bridge the gap between the liquid steel flow and the grain structure of the end product. The article's focus lies on the liquid steel flow modified by a traveling magnetic field—relying mainly on numerical simulations. Different modeling approaches are used to simulate linear electromagnetic stirring in the secondary cooling zone of a slab caster. An appropriate model is chosen to investigate the influence of various stirring parameters, stirring modes, and stirring positions. From the results, conclusions for the real casting process can be drawn.
Expression weighted cell type enrichments reveal genetic and cellular nature of major brain disorders

The cell types that trigger the primary pathology in many brain diseases remain largely unknown. One route to understanding the primary pathological cell type for a particular disease is to identify the cells expressing susceptibility genes. Although this is straightforward for monogenic conditions where the causative mutation may alter expression of a cell type specific marker, methods are required for the common polygenic disorders. We developed the Expression Weighted Cell Type Enrichment (EWCE) method that uses single cell transcriptomes to generate the probability distribution associated with a gene list having an average level of expression within a cell type. Following validation, we applied EWCE to human genetic data from cases of epilepsy, Schizophrenia, Autism, Intellectual Disability, Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and anxiety disorders. Genetic susceptibility primarily affected microglia in Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis; was shared between interneurons and pyramidal neurons in Autism and Schizophrenia; while intellectual disabilities and epilepsy were attributable to a range of cell-types, with the strongest enrichment in interneurons. We hypothesized that the primary cell type pathology could trigger secondary changes in other cell types and these could be detected by applying EWCE to transcriptome data from diseased tissue. In Autism, Schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease we find evidence of pathological changes in all of the major brain cell types. These findings give novel insight into the cellular origins and progression in common brain disorders. The methods can be applied to any tissue and disorder and have applications in validating mouse models.
An ecophysiological framework for the morphological evolution of bluegill sunfish

An Ecophysiological Framework for the Morphological Evolution of Bluegill Sunfish. (May 2007) Anthony Papadopoulos, B.S., Syracuse University; M.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Thomas J. DeWitt Body shape affects the capacity and efficiency of swimming in fishes, and places constraints on foraging and reproductive performance. Hence, fitness components, such as aerobic swimming capacity and efficiency, can be determined from analysis of swimming energetics using active respirometry. In particular, body shape adaptations, such as streamlining, aim at reducing hydrodynamic drag (resistance), thereby increasing swimming efficiency in the presence of water flow, which is a principal contributor to resistance for fish inhabiting rivers. For two populations of bluegill sunfish, one from the Brazos River and the other from Moelman’s Slough (a Brazos River oxbow lake), the metabolic transport rate (MTR) was determined to evaluate differences in swimming efficiency. The standard cost of swimming (SCOS) was also determined to evaluate differences in swimming capacity, which represents the overall capacity of the skeletal muscles to generate mechanical power to overcome hydrodynamic resistance. The MTR and the SCOS describe holistic swimming performance, where the MTR specifies the hydrodynamic response due to swimming, and the SCOS specifies the physiologic response due to swimming. The differences in swimming performance are mainly attributed to factors affecting hydrodynamic resistance and could be predicted by morphology; because body shape, like water flow, is also a principal contributor to resistance. Multivariate body shape, from generalized Procrustes analysis, was used to assess the influence of multiple shape traits on swimming costs. This measure of shape related to swimming performance using partial least-squares analysis showed the two
Improved estimates of orange roughy biomass using an acoustic-optical system in commercial trawlnets

Echo integration is a well-established method for estimating fish biomass, but is challenging for a low target strength (TS), deep-living fish species such as orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus). A novel approach has been to utilize the infrastructure of the fishing vessel's trawlnet by attaching an acoustic-optical system (AOS) to the net's headline. Deep deployment of the AOS via the trawlnet reduces uncertainties associated with hull-mounted acoustics that include the influence of weather on data quality, low resolution due to the long range to target, large acoustic dead zone on sloping seabed, and inability to identify and differentiate other fish that co-occur with the target species. The AOS system simultaneously records acoustic data at multiple frequencies (38 and 120 kHz), species composition in video and stereo imagery, and environmental data as the net collects biological samples and/or commercial catch. All data streams were considered in a multiple-lines-of-evidence approach to give improved estimates of orange roughy biomass with low error due to species uncertainty. AOS-based biomass estimates, made over a 5-year period from 11 key spawning locations in Australia and New Zealand, showed a strong correlation (r2 = 0.97, n = 39) between frequencies (38 and 120 kHz); the 38 kHz estimates were, on average, 8% higher than 120 kHz, with a standard deviation of 20%. This similarity in estimates across frequencies improves confidence in results compared with single-frequency surveys that are potentially prone to large errors resulting from unknown (mixed) species composition and target strengths, calibration, and sound absorption uncertainties.
Evaluation of sperm methylation as indicator of germ line alterations after successive applications of a cryopreservation program in Oryctolagus cuniculus

The embryo early vitrification and its subsequent transfer is one of most common Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). This technology has allowed to improve the reproductive efficiency, crossbreeding and germplasm preservation programs. Multiple studies in livestock animals, even in humans, have demonstrated a set of alterations in both preand postnatal level, and the possible inheritance of these modifications in following generations. Preimplantation embryo is a critical period, since is when most of epigenetic reprogramming take place, and the early embryo vitrification could be modifying this methylation pattern. Therefore, the aim of the current work was to evaluate the accumulative effects of two consecutive embryo vitrification procedures on rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) embryo survival rate, rabbit sperm traits and epigenome profile, and analyse its possible inheritance. To this end, two populations were developed: vitrified embryos transferred to surrogated mother (VT) and naturally-conceived animals (NC) through two generations. All the descendants who were born were healthy, supported by the haematological analysis, and ejaculates from VT group did not show reproductive effectiveness differences respect to NC group. Nevertheless, a 31% decrease of survival rate from first to second generation was registered, indicating a possible negative accumulative effect as consequence of successive cryopreservation. When the sperm epigenome profile was analysed, revealed a level of methylation higher in gene body than promoter regions. No difference were observed between NC and VT groups in the same generation, but a second round of vitrification (VT_G1 vs VT_G2) registered a higher level of methylation in all the regions of interested (ROI) analysed. A total of 1049 and 987 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were obtained in G1 and G2, respectively. The functional analysis revealed enriched altered Go Terms in relation to protein metabolism, carbohydrate binding and oxidative phosphorylation. From those 1049, 387 remained altered in both generations, suggesting a possible intergenerational transmission of epigenetic marks as a consequence of embryo cryopreservation procedure. In summary, even no differences in health or sperm quality were observed, an accumulative decrease of survival rate was reported after two rounds of cryopreservation. Additionally, a set of DMR were altered in both generations what could be indicating that the embryo cryopreservation is imprinting an epigenetic mark in the germinal cell, with consequence in the reproductive traits.
Admission test cardiotocography in labour as a predictor of foetal outcome in high risk pregnancies

Background: Continuous fetal heart monitoring in all pregnant women in labour has gained prominence in obstetric practice in the recent years. The aim of this study was to emphasize on the role of admission cardiotocography (CTG) in labour as a predictor of foetal outcome in high risk pregnancies.Methods: This was a prospective observational study done on 340 high risk patients admitted in labour with a period of gestation of ≥37 weeks. An admission CTG which consists of a 20-minute recording of FHR and uterine contractions was taken and the foetal outcome was correlated with it. The non-parametric Chi-square test was used for statistical calculations and a p valve of <0.05 was considered to designate statistical significance.Results: The admission CTG was reactive in 69.4% of all patients, equivocal in 22.2% and pathological in 8.4% of the 340 recruited patients. A total of 37.5% of the patients were post-dated followed by 20.6% of pregnancy incuded hypertensive patients. The neonatal outcomes in terms of fetal distress, meconium stained liquor, NICU admission were considerably higher in pathological test. The specificity of the test was 53.3%, and the negative predictive was 86.49%. Conclusions: Admission CTG is a simple, useful screening test and serves as a non-invasive tool in forecasting the adverse foetal outcomes in high risk pregnancies.
Seasonal decline of growth and fledging success in Snow geese Anser caerulescens : an effect of date or parental quality?

Late-nesting birds frequently have a lower reproductive success than early-nesting ones. This could be a consequence of seasonal variations in environmental conditions or because late-nesting parents are of lower quality than early-nesting ones. We tested the hypothesis that a difference between early and late parents in their ability to raise viable offspring could explain the seasonal decline in offspring growth and survival in the Greater Snow Goose Anser caerulescens atlanticus, a species with self-feeding precocial young. Over two years, we exchanged complete clutches between early and late parents, to change the hatching date experienced by parents. We exchanged eggs between 164 experimental nests, whose hatching dates differed by 0 to 9 days (R= 3 days). We detected no seasonal effect on survival rate in the sample of experimental nests, but there was a seasonal decline of growth rate. When delaying or advancing hatching, the fostered goslings grew respectively slower or faster compared to the parents' original hatching date, indicating that variations in environmental conditions are responsible for seasonal variation of growth. However, growth of experimental goslings did not differ from unmanipulated goslings hatched at the same date, indicating that parental quality did not contribute to seasonal variations of growth rate. We conclude that the seasonal variation in reproductive success is not caused by a difference in parental quality between early and late nesters, but mostly by environmental factors directly related to the date of the season.
Effectiveness of bladder tumor antigen quantitative test in the diagnosis of bladder carcinoma in a schistosoma endemic area

Introduction: Bladder carcinoma is the most common male cancer in our environment due to endemicity of schistosomiasis. Squamous-cell carcinoma is the most common histological type and patients present at an advanced stage. The objective of this study is to compare the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the bladder tumor antigen quantitative test (BTA TRAK) and urine cytology in the diagnosis of bladder carcinoma in a schistosoma endemic area. Materials and Methods: This is a 12-month cross-sectional study of 88 patients, 52 of them with features of bladder carcinoma as study group, and 36 of them with hematuria from other urologic conditions, and benign urologic conditions and healthy volunteers as control group (CG). The mean ages of patients in the study and CGs were 47.17 ± 17.00 and 44.19 ± 18.89 years, respectively (P = 0.412). Bladder tumor antigen was assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 for Windows. Results: The sensitivity of urine cytology and BTA TRAK in the study was 29.1% and 98.8%, respectively. The specificity of urine cytology and BTA TRAK was 95.5% and 13.6%, respectively (P = 0.05). The positive predictive values of urine cytology and BTA TRAK in the study were 96.2% and 81.7%, respectively. The negative predictive values were 25.0% and 75.0% for urine cytology and BTA TRAK, respectively. Conclusion: BTA TRAK is more sensitive but poorly specific as compared to that of the urine cytology for bladder cell carcinoma detection in a schistosoma endemic area.
Deep Learning and Higher Degree F-Transforms: Interpretable Kernels Before and After Learning

One of the current trends in the deep neural network technology consists in allowing a man–machine interaction and providing an explanation of network design and learning principles. In this direction, an experience with fuzzy systems is of great support. We propose our insight that is based on the particular theory of fuzzy (F)-transforms. Besides a theoretical explanation, we develop a new architecture of a deep neural network where the F-transform convolution kernels are used in the first two layers. Based on a series of experiments, we demonstrate the suitability of the F-transform-based deep neural network in the domain of image processing with the focus on recognition. Moreover, we support our insight by revealing the similarity between the F-transform and first-layer kernels in the most used deep neural networks. © 2020 The Authors . Published by Atlantis Press B.V. This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC 4.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).
A Regression Approach to Movie Rating Prediction Using Multimedia Content and Metadata

This paper presents the submission of the team MASlab-ZNU to the MMRecSys movie recommendation task, as part of MediaEval 2019. The task involved predicting average movie ratings, standard deviation of ratings, and the number of ratings by using audio and visual features extracted from trailers and the associated metadata. In the proposed work, we model the rating prediction problem as a regression problem and employ different learning models for the prediction task, including ridge regression (RR), support vector regression (SVR), shallow neural network (SNN) and deep neural network (DNN). The results of fairly large amount of experiments on various models and features indicate that combination of DNN+tag features produce the best results for prediction of avgRating and StdRating while for numRating (popularity) it is the combination of RR+tag that significantly outperforms the other competitors, with a large margin.
The annual molt cycle of Branta canadensis interior in relation to nutrient reserve dynamics

During July 1984-February 1987, we measured the duration and seasonal changes in intensity of prebasic molt in Canada Geese (Branta canadensis interior) of the Mississippi Valley Population (MVP). Temporal and geographic variations in molt intensity were examined in relation to lipid and protein reserve dynamics and the chronology of annual events. Wingand body-molt intensities were greatest before fall migration, but limited body molt overlapped migration and continued into fall. Final stages of molt progressed with declining intensity through winter. Only the nesting season (May-June) was entirely free of molt. Molt in individual geese may have required _8 months (July-March) in at least 60% f the population. Temporal and geographic variation in molt intensity were associated with differences in lipid mass, but carcass protein had little apparent relationship with molt intensity. There was no evidence of net catabolism of nutrient reserves between hatching, wing molt, and post-molting periods. Lipid masses of breeding females and nonbreeding geese declined during wing molt. Protein masses declined during wing molt only in breeding and non-breeding males, due to atrophy of breast muscles associated with flightlessness. Seasonal changes in molt intensity and lipid reserves indicated that geese allocated energy to emphasize molting before fall migration, and nutrient reserve deposition thereafter. The largest nutritional costs of molting probably were incurred during JulyNovember. We propose that rate, intensity, and duration of body molt were influenced by the amount of productive energy geese were able to allocate to feather growth, without compromising replenishment of nutrient reserves after breeding or the deposition of reserves before winter. The simple, single molt of Canada Geese provides greater latitude in adjusting nutritional demands to environmental conditions than is possible for ducks that molt twice annually.