Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Estimates of Coancestry, Inbreeding and Effective Population Size in the Spanish Holstein Population

Estimates of effective population size in the Holstein cattle breed have usually been low despite the large number of animals that constitute this breed. Effective population size is inversely related to the rates at which coancestry and inbreeding increase and these rates have been high as a consequence of intense and accurate selection. Traditionally, coancestry and inbreeding coefficients have been calculated from pedigree data. However, the development of genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms has increased the interest of calculating these coefficients from molecular data in order to improve their accuracy. In this study, genomic estimates of coancestry, inbreeding and effective population size were obtained in the Spanish Holstein population and then compared with pedigree-based estimates. A total of 11,135 animals genotyped with the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip were available for the study. After applying filtering criteria, the final genomic dataset included 36,693 autosomal SNPs and 10,569 animals. Pedigree data from those genotyped animals included 31,203 animals. These individuals represented only the last five generations in order to homogenise the amount of pedigree information across animals. Genomic estimates of coancestry and inbreeding were obtained from identity by descent segments (coancestry) or runs of homozygosity (inbreeding). The results indicate that the percentage of variance of pedigree-based coancestry estimates explained by genomic coancestry estimates was higher than that for inbreeding. Estimates of effective population size obtained from genome-wide and pedigree information were consistent and ranged from about 66 to 79. These low values emphasize the need of controlling the rate of increase of coancestry and inbreeding in Holstein selection programmes.
Electroacupuncture alleviates cisplatin-induced nausea in rats

Objective Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for the treatment of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms of action underlying the anti-emetic effect of electroacupuncture (EA). Design Forty-eight rats received saline (n=12) or 6 mg/kg cisplatin (n=36) to establish a chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting model. EA was performed at CV12 (n=12), bilateral PC6 (n=12), or sham points (n=12) 3 days before and 1–2 days after cisplatin administration (4–5 times in total), at 0.5–1 mA intensity and 2/15 Hz frequency for 10 min. Kaolin intake, food intake and bodyweight change were evaluated as markers of nausea and vomiting severity. Concentrations of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in the duodenum and c-Fos expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) were measured using high performance liquid chromatography and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results Cisplatin administration led to increased kaolin intake and reduced food intake and bodyweight over the following 2 days. EA at CV12 significantly reversed the cisplatin-induced change in kaolin intake (on days 1 and 2) and food intake and bodyweight (on day 1). EA at CV12 also attenuated the cisplatin-induced increase in 5-HT in the duodenum and suppressed c-Fos expression in the NTS. EA at PC6 influenced kaolin intake (on day 1 only) and c-Fos expression, but had no statistically significant effect on food intake, bodyweight or 5-HT expression. Conclusions This study demonstrated beneficial effects of EA on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in a rat model. The anti-emetic effect of EA may be mediated through inhibition of 5-HT secretion in the duodenum and activity of the NTS.
Realistic Hair from a Sketch

This paper explores a sketch-based interface for quickly yet accurately creating visually realistic hair for virtual characters. Recently, physically-based models have proved successful for generating a wide variety of hair types, but they do not provide a straightforward method for designing target hairstyles. The contribution of this paper is to propose a user-friendly method for controlling such a physically-based model, requiring no specific knowledge of mechanics or hair styling: the user sketches example hair strands over a side view of the character's head, or alternatively annotates a picture of real hair viewed from the side serving as a reference. We show how the sketch can be used to infer the geometric and mechanical properties of the hair strands, to adjust the shape of the scalp, and to generate an adequate hair volume. Our method is validated on a wide variety of hair styles, from straight to curly and short to long hair.
The Baryonic Tully-Fisher Relation of Galaxies with Extended Rotation Curves and the Stellar Mass of Rotating Galaxies

I investigate the baryonic Tully-Fisher relation for a sample of galaxies with extended 21 cm rotation curves spanning the range 20 km s-1 ≲ Vf ≤ 300 km s-1. A variety of scalings of the stellar mass-to-light ratio ϒ⋆ are considered. For each prescription for ϒ⋆, I give fits of the form ℳd = 𝒜V. Presumably, the prescription that comes closest to the correct value will minimize the scatter in the relation. The fit with minimum scatter has 𝒜 = 50 ℳ☉ km-4 s4 and x = 4. This relation holds over five decades in mass. Galaxy color, stellar fraction, and ϒ⋆ are correlated with each other and with ℳd, in the sense that more massive galaxies tend to be more evolved. There is a systematic dependence of the degree of maximality of disks on surface brightness. High surface brightness galaxies typically have ϒ⋆ ~ of the maximum disk value, while low surface brightness galaxies typically attain ~ of this amount.
Women in Educational Administration

Introduction PART ONE: WHERE ARE THE WOMEN MANAGERS? Women School Administrators Too Few for Too Long Profiles and Career Paths of Women in Administration PART TWO: GETTING WOMEN INTO ADMINISTRATION Barriers to Women's Advancement into School Administration Demolishing the Barriers PART THREE: FEMALE CULTURE AND EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION Androcentric Bias in Educational Administration Theory and Research Differences Between the Ways Women and Men Manage Schools The Female World of School Administration Appendix Strategies for Increasing Women's Access to Administrative Positions
Manipulation of Plant Defense Responses by the Tomato Psyllid (Bactericerca cockerelli) and Its Associated Endosymbiont Candidatus Liberibacter Psyllaurous

Some plant pathogens form obligate relationships with their insect vector and are vertically transmitted via eggs analogous to insect endosymbionts. Whether insect endosymbionts manipulate plant defenses to benefit their insect host remains unclear. The tomato psyllid, Bactericerca cockerelli (Sulc), vectors the endosymbiont “Candidatus Liberibacter psyllaurous” (Lps) during feeding on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.). Lps titer in psyllids varied relative to the psyllid developmental stage with younger psyllids harboring smaller Lps populations compared to older psyllids. In the present study, feeding by different life stages of B. cockerelli infected with Lps, resulted in distinct tomato transcript profiles. Feeding by young psyllid nymphs, with lower Lps levels, induced tomato genes regulated by jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) (Allene oxide synthase, Proteinase inhibitor 2, Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 5, Pathogenesis-related protein 1) compared to feeding by older nymphs and adults, where higher Lps titers were found. In addition, inoculation of Lps without insect hosts suppressed accumulation of these defense transcripts. Collectively, these data suggest that the endosymbiont-like pathogen Lps manipulates plant signaling and defensive responses to benefit themselves and the success of their obligate insect vector on their host plant.
INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE WITH OXYGEN CONTROL OF A FED-BATCH FILAMENTOUS FUNGAL FERMENTATION

Abstract Fed-batch filamentous fungal fermentations at the industrial level are operated today either in an open-loop manner or through simple PI control, both with limited performance. The main challenge presented by such an operation is that, due to the presence of uncertainties of the inoculum, the process can go into oxygen limitation that severely affects production. In this paper, a cascade control strategy for regulation of the dissolved oxygen is presented, which incorporates available auxiliary measurements to improve performance. This strategy is formulated based on the investigation of the structural elements of a simplified process model developed from experimental data. Experimental results confirm the efficiency of the proposed control strategy.
CharacterizingtheAbility of DividendYieldsto PredictFutureDividendsin Log-LinearPresentValue Models

High dividend yields imply that either future dividend growth must be low, or future discountratesmustbehigh,or both. While previousstudieshave focusedon thepredictability of expectedreturnsfrom dividendyields,dividendyieldsalsostronglypredictfuturedividends, andthepredictabilityof dividendgrowth is muchstrongerthandiscountratesreturnsata1-year horizon. Inferencefrom annualregressionsimputesover 85%of thevariationof log dividend yields to variationsin dividendgrowth, and this attribution is highly significantwith robust standarderrors.Pointestimatesof thepredictabilityof bothdividendgrowth anddiscountrates is strongerwhenthe1990-2000decadeis omitted.
Evaluating different structures for predicting skeletal maturity using statistical appearance models

We compare the utility of models of different structures in the hand for predicting skeletal maturity in young people. Bone age assessment is important for diagnosing and monitoring growth disorders. Statistical models of bone shape and appearance have been shown to be useful for estimating skeletal maturity. In this work we investigate the effect of the choice of region to model on the prediction performance. By analysing the performance on a dataset of 170 digitized radiographs of normal children we show that improvements in accuracy can be achieved by using models of the joint complexes and bones constructed by automatic registration, compared to ones built from manual annotation. We also investigate how sets of joint complexes and bones can best be combined to estimate overall skeletal age. Our results show that the best predictions are obtained from 13 RUS complexes and their combination into eight bone complexes. The mean absolute prediction errors of 0.80 (13 joint complexes) , 0.81(eight bone complexes) years for females and 0.93, 0.94 years for males respectively, demonstrates that similar results are obtained whether we use many local models of individual joints, or a smaller number of models of groups of bones.
A computation method for scenario studies in WDM network planning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the benefits of using the Lagrangian relaxation (LR) and subgradient methods in scenario studies for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network planning. The problem of WDM network planning for a given set of lightpath demands in a mesh topology network is to select lightpath routes and then allocate wavelength channels to the lightpaths. In WDM network planning, a scenario study is to find out the network performance under different lightpath demands and/or different network resource configurations.Design/methodology/approach – A scenario study must solve a series of related static WDM network planning problems. Each static WDM network planning problem is an optimization problem, and may be formulated as an integer linear programming problem, which can be solved by the proposed Lagrangian relaxation and subgradient methods. This paper uses the Lagrange multipliers that are obtained from previous scenarios as initial Lagrange multiplier values for othe.
Crowdsourcing Quantitative Evaluation : Algorithms and Empirical Results ∗

We consider the problem of crowd-sourcing the quantitative evaluation of the quality of a set of items. Each item is examined and assigned a numerical grade by a small number human evaluators. Evaluators are naturally affected by personal biases, random mistakes, and unequal levels of dedication to the task: our goal is to compute consensus grades that are as precise and as free of biases as possible. We present two novel algorithms for this problem: one, nicknamed VariancePropagation, is related to belief propagation and maximum likelyhood; the other, nicknamed CostOfDisagreement, is based on iterated convex optimization. Both algorithms implement reputation systems that weigh more the input from more accurate evaluators. On synthetic data, both algorithms far outperform simple aggregators such as average. To evaluate the performance of the algorithms in the real world, we used a dataset from CrowdGrader, a web based peer-grading tool, consisting in 11645 evaluations of 1797 submissions, collected over 22 homework assignments. As this dataset lacks a ground truth, we introduce and justify the use of stability under subsampling as a measure of algorithm precision that can be used in absence of a ground truth. On this real-world data, we identify a version of VariancePropagation that has superior performance to all other alternatives. We discuss the aspects and adaptations of the algorithms that make them well-suited to real-world use.
Implementation of Watchdog Protocol with AODV in Mobile Ad Hoc Network

Mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is a self-configuring network that is formed automatically via wireless links by a collection of mobile nodes without the help of a fixed infrastructure or centralized management. Due to dynamic infrastructure-less nature and lack of centralized monitoring points, the ad hoc networks are vulnerable to Black hole Attack. The network performance and reliability is broken by the attacks on ad hoc routing protocols. Many mechanisms have been proposed to overcome the Black hole Attack. A malicious node or black hole node send Route Response (RREP) incorrectly of having route to destination with minimum hop count and when sender sends the data packet to this malicious node, it drops all the packet in the network. The propose watchdog mechanism detect this black hole nodes in a MANET. This method first detects a black hole node in the network and then provide a new route to source node. In this, the performance of original-AODV and modified AODV called as watchdog-AODV (or W-AODV) in the presence of multiple black hole nodes is find out on the basis of throughput and packet delivery ratio and routing and control load.
Actuation of flexoelectric cylindrical shell panel with line electrodes

The phenomenon of stress induced by inhomogeneous electric field is known as the converse flexoelectric effect. It can be used in precision actuation and control applications. In this study, a line electrode is used to actuate a flexoelectric cylindrical shell panel based on the converse flexoelectric effect. The influences of different parameters to modal actuation effects are studied. It shows that when the cylindrical shell panel changes its geometries, e.g., length, thickness, curvature angle, etc., both the panel stiffness and the distribution of electric field, which related to induced flexoelectric control moment and membrane force, also change. And as the increase of panel's thickness, actuation effect decreases. But the increase of panel's curvature angle and length enhances the actuation effect.
Describing dynamic software architectures using an extended UML model

In this paper, we propose a new UML2.0 profile to describe the change of software architectures. The profile introduces a set of stereotypes for modeling the structural and the dynamic aspect as well as architectural constraints. We adapt the component diagrams metamodel on specific purposes by extending existing metaclasses. The adaptations are defined using stereotypes which are grouped in a profile. The profile offers to the architects an intuitive and complete way to specify the software architecture based on visual notations.
Improved id-based remote user authentication scheme using smart card

Because of non-stop applications' growth of network environment, making communications in such ambiance security is very important. Recently, Ashok Kumar Das has proposed a scheme to recover some pitfalls in Li et al.'s scheme. Das's protocol also utilizes biometrics and random value instead of time - stamp. Besides, storing temporary nonce to withstand replay attack is an inherited aspect of this scheme. However, in this paper, we show Das's scheme has many problems. To isolate them, we suggested a new design. Our scheme not only saves computational cost but also enhances security for transactions in insecure network channel.
Statistical equilibrium of silicon in the atmospheres of metal-poor stars

Aims. We discuss the statistical equilibrium of neutral and ionized silicon in the atmospheres of nearby metal-poor stars. We investigated the effects of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) and determined the silicon abundances. Methods. We used high resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectra from the FOCES spectragraph at the DSAZ telescope. Lineformation calculations of Si i and Si ii in the atmospheres of nearby metal-poor stars are presented. All abundance results are derived from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) and NLTE statistical equilibrium calculations and spectrum synthesis methods. Results. We find that NLTE effects for Si ii optical lines are important for warm stars, and that they depend on effective temperature. The Si abundances of thin and thick disc stars follow distinct trends, as in the case of Mg. We find that [Si/Fe] gradually increases as [Fe/H] decreases in thin disc stars, while it remains around at ∼+0.30 dex for halo and thick disc stars, the halo stars showing larger scatter. Conclusions. The derived dependence between [Si/Fe] and [Fe/H] is inconsistent with the theoretical predictions of published model calculations for the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. The nearly constant [Si/Mg] ratio with some scatter for halo and thick disc stars suggests that the nucleosynthesis of silicon is closely coupled to that of Mg. In addition, our results do not support the suggestion that type Ia supernove produce significant amounts of silicon.
PHiCIT — Improving hierarchical Networks-on-Chip through 3D silicon photonics integration

The Network-on-Chip (NoC) architecture has been seen as an interconnect solution for complex systems. However, performance and energy issues still represent limiting factors for Multi-Processors Systems-on-Chip (MPSoC). In order to match low power and high performance, hierarchical NoCs have been proposed, with interconnecting clusters of IPs tailored to application specific domains. In the near future however, this methodology will be limited by the long wires for global connection. In this paper, we present an optimized hierarchical network-on-chip, the PHiCIT (Photonic Hierarchical Crossbar-based Interconnection Three-dimensional architecture). This architecture proposal aims to maximize the overall performance by using three levels of interconnection: photonic crossbars for intra-cluster communication, traditional electric routers for the inter-cluster communication, and 3D technology to explore power and area optimization. Experimental results show that PHiCIT can reduce the latency against a pure electrical mesh NoC by up to 47%, against an electric hierarchical NoC by up to 6%, and against a photonic mesh NoC by up to 34%, considering PARSEC benchmark applications.
Proteinase K added to the extraction procedure markedly increases RNA yield from primary breast tumors for use in microarray studies.

Gene expression profiling by microarray technology has demonstrated the possibilities of biological separation, prognostication, and prediction (1)(2). In this study we demonstrate that the addition of proteinase K to the extraction procedure improves the yield of RNA from primary breast tumors, making the majority of samples eligible for array analysis by Qiagen RNeasy Minikit. In addition, we investigated whether the addition of proteinase K has any influence on the gene expression profile. The Qiagen RNeasy Mini protocol was used as described by the manufacturer (3)(4) for extraction of total RNA from 209 frozen primary breast tumors from women who had undergone surgery for breast cancer at Karolinska Hospital. The study was approved by an ethics committee at the hospital. Biopsies from the same tumors were extracted either with …
Regulation of mRNA Expression of Xenobiotic Transporters by the Pregnane X Receptor in Mouse Liver, Kidney, and Intestine

Multiple transporter systems are involved in the disposition of xenobiotics and endogenous compounds. The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a major chemical sensor known to activate the expression of CYP3A/Cyp3a in humans and rodents. The purpose of this study is to systematically determine whether the major xenobiotic transporters in liver, kidney, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum are induced by pregnenolone-16α-carbonitrile (PCN), and whether this increase is mediated by the nuclear receptor PXR. In liver, PCN induced the expression of Oatp1a4 and Mrp3 mRNA in wild-type (WT) mouse liver, but not in PXR-null mice. In kidney, PCN did not alter the expression of any drug transporter. In duodenum, PCN increased Abca1 and Mdr1a mRNA expression in WT mice, but not in PXR-null mice. In jejunum and ileum, PCN increased Mdr1a and Mrp2 mRNA, but decreased Cnt2 mRNA in WT mice, but none of these transporters was altered when PCN was administered to PXR-null mice. Therefore, PCN regulates the expression of some transporters, namely, Oatp1a4 and Mrp3 in liver, as well as Abca1, Cnt2, Mdr1a, and Mrp2 in small intestine via a PXR-mediated mechanism.
Robotic Roommates Making Pancakes - Look Into Perception-Manipulation Loop

In this paper we report on a recent public experiment that shows two robots making pancakes using web instructions. In the experiment, the robots retrieve instructions for making pancakes from the World Wide Web and generate robot action plans from the instructions. This task is jointly performed by two autonomous robots: The first robot, TUM James, opens and closes cupboards and drawers, takes a pancake mix from the refrigerator, and hands it to the seoncd robot TUM Rosie. The second robot cooks and flips the pancakes, and then delivers them back to the first robot. While the robot plans in the scenario are all percept-guided, they are also limited in different ways and rely on manually implemented sub-plans for parts of the task.
Managing Student Emotions in Intelligent Tutoring Systems

In the classic educational context, observing and identifying learner’s emotional response allow the teacher to adapt the lesson, with the aim of improving the quality of the learning process. In computer environment, Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) should consider relationships between emotion, cognition and action in order to improve the interaction with the learner. Hence, inspired by cognitive and behavioral models, ITS equipped with emotional recognition capability will be able to provide relevant tools for efficient and pleasant learning. In order to provide ITS the capacity of considering and managing the emotions of the learner, we propose an architecture which includes several components for emotion recognition.