Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abstract— a Programming Language, Compiler, and Runtime Environment Will Enable the Specification and Execution of Assays That Can Run on Cyber-physical Laboratories-on-a-chip (locs). the System Presently Targets Locs Based on the Principle of Electrowetting-on-dielectric (ewod), Featuring I. System

integrated sensors and/or real-time video monitors, which form a closed feedback loop. Relevant technical details include the design and implementation of the language and compiler, focusing on fast algorithms that can process sensory data and make decisions in real-time. An important step to achieving this goal is a set of low-overhead algorithms for high-throughput droplet transportation that formally prevent deadlock. These techniques have shown to be compatible with pin-constrained electrowetting technologies, which sacrifice some flexibility to reduce the number of required control pins and the cost of the printed circuit board (PCB) on which the chip is mounted. Advances in sensor integration and video monitoring enable real-time feedback control and decision-making for EWoD-based LoCs (Fig. 1(a)). These " cyber-physical " innovations will allow scientists to specify and automatically execute assays that incorporate real-time decision-making based on sensory feedback from the EwoD device, through tight coupling of computation with sensors and actuators provide a direct interface to the physical world.As a proof of concept, the BioCoder language, originally developed at Microsoft Research, India [1], has been specialized to control a cyber-physical EwoD-based LoC [2]. The compiler and runtime system execute portions of an assay, pausing periodically to collect and process sensory data; the outcome of the processing is a decision of the next sequence of assay operations to perform (Fig. 1(b)). Figure 1. (a) A cyber-physical electrowetting device and (b) the software architecture of a runtime system that executes feedback-driven assays [2]. Riverside Dissertation Year Fellowship. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NSF. Figure 2. A virtual topology [3] enables fast online algorithms to compile assays onto electrowetting devices. Assay operations are scheduled and bound to modules. The dedicated routing network ensures deadlock-free connectivity between every pair of modules, as well as every I/O reservoir (not shown) on the perimeter of the chip. Using this system, scientists can specify complex, multi-step assays and execute them automatically, sans human intervention. This offers a productivity boost akin to the early days of computing, in which automated machines started to replace human mathematical calculations by hand. II. INNOVATION A virtual topology (Fig. 2) is enables real-time execution of feedback-driven protocols. It partitions the electrodes in an EWoD chip into a network of streets for droplet transport and work modules that perform other assay operations. As an …
SeLeNe Report: Metadata Management and Learning Object Composition in a Self eLearning Network

In this report, we propose a simple data model for the composition and metadata management of learning objects (LOs) in a distributed setting that we call a Self-eLearning Network , or SeLeNe for short. The model features an abstract deﬁnition of LO, as well as operations that allow to compose new LOs from simpler ones, and to query a database of LOs spread over the network. The querying process is supported by a coordinator, or mediator which relies on descriptions of the LO content through indexes . The index of an LO is extracted automatically from the indexes of its components. The model provides support for the speciﬁcation of a concrete SeLeNe environment in which the authors of LOs are the basic peers and where communication between peers is assisted by the mediator. We illustrate the features and functionalities of such a system with a case study in which the LOs are XML documents.
Quantum Recursion and Second Quantisation

This paper introduces a new notion of quantum recursion of which the control flow of the computation is quantum rather than classical as in the notions of recursion considered in the previous studies of quantum programming. A typical example is recursive quantum walks, which are obtained by slightly modifying the construction of the ordinary quantum walks. The operational and denotational semantics of quantum recursions are defined by employing the second quantisation method, and they are proved to be equivalent.
A Model with Evolutionary Covariance-based Learning for High-Frequency Financial Forecasting

Several approaches have been investigated to develop models able to solve forecasting problems. However, a limitation arises in the particular case of daily-frequency financial forecasting and is called the random walk dilemma (RWD). In this context, the concept of time phase adjustment can be included in forecasting models to overcome such a drawback. But the evolution of trading systems has increased the frequency for performing operations in the stock market for fractions of seconds, which requires the analysis of high-frequency financial time series. Thus, this work proposes a model, called the increasing decreasing linear neuron (IDLN), to forecast high-frequency financial time series from the Brazilian stock market. Furthermore, an evolutionary covariance-based method with automatic time phase adjustment is presented for the design of the proposed model, and the obtained results overcame those obtained by classical forecasting models in the literature.
Inorganic Phosphate Accelerates the Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: Evidence for the Involvement of miR-223

Backgound An elevated serum inorganic phosphate (Pi) level is a major risk factor for kidney disease and downstream vascular complications. We focused on the effect of Pi levels on human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), with an emphasis on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs). Methodology/Principal Findings Exposure of human primary VSMCs in vitro to pathological levels of Pi increased calcification, migration rate and concomitantly reduced cell proliferation and the amount of the actin cytoskeleton. These changes were evidenced by significant downregulation of miRNA-143 (miR-143) and miR-145 and concomitant upregulation of their targets and key markers in synthetic VSMCs, such as Krüppel-like factors−4 and −5 and versican. Interestingly, we also found that miR-223 (a marker of muscle damage and a key factor in osteoclast differentiation) is expressed in VSMCs and is significantly upregulated in Pi-treated cells. Over-expressing miR-223 in VSMCs increased proliferation and markedly enhanced VSMC migration. Additionally, we found that the expression of two of the known miR-223 targets, Mef2c and RhoB, was highly reduced in Pi treated as well as miR-223 over-expressing VSMCs. To complement these in vitro findings, we also observed significant downregulation of miR-143 and miR-145 and upregulation of miR-223 in aorta samples collected from ApoE knock-out mice, which display vascular calcification. Conclusions/Significance Our results suggest that (i) high levels of Pi increase VSMC migration and calcification, (ii) altered expression levels of miR-223 could play a part in this process and (iii) miR-223 is a potential new biomarker of VSMC damage.
JENA ECONOMIC RESEARCH PAPERS # 2010 – 058 Overweighting Private Information : Three Measures , One Bias ? by

Overweighting private information is often used to explain various detrimental decisions. In behavioral economics and finance, it is usually modeled as a direct consequence of misperceiving signal reliability. This bias is typically dubbed overconfidence and linked to the judgment literature in psychology. Empirical tests of the models often fail to find evidence for the predicted effects of overconfidence. These studies assume, however, that a specific type of overconfidence, i.e., “miscalibration,” captures the underlying trait. We challenge this assumption and borrow the psychological methodology of single-cue probability learning to obtain a direct measure for overweighting private information. We find that overweighting private information and measures of “miscalibration” are unrelated, indicating that different kinds of misperceptions are at work. Thus, in order to test the theoretical predictions of the overconfidence literature in economics and finance, one cannot rely on the well-established “miscalibration” bias. We find no gender differences in overconfidence for our measures except for one, where women are more overconfident than men. JEL classification: C91; D03; D83
Thermo-Responsive and Biocompatible Diblock Copolymers Prepared via Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Radical Polymerization

Poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine)-b-poly(N,N-diethyl acrylamide) (PMPCm-PDEAn) was synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) controlled radical polymerization. Below, the critical aggregation temperature (CAT) the diblock copolymer dissolved in water as a unimer with a hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of ca. 5 nm. Above the CAT the diblock copolymers formed polymer micelles composed of a PDEA core and biocompatible PMPC shells, due to hydrophobic self-aggregation of the thermo-responsive PDEA block. A fluorescence probe study showed that small hydrophobic small guest molecules could be incorporated into the core of the polymer micelle above the CAT. The incorporated guest molecules were released from the core into the bulk aqueous phase when the temperature decreased to values below the CAT because of micelle dissociation.
Siper-Virtual Reality Simulator of Periscope

In this paper an application designed to simulate the environment seen in a periscope by means of a virtual reality environment is presented. The application allows full viewing of all objects visible from the periscope, sea, ships, airplanes, etc. With the appropriate hardware (3D mouse and tracking systems) it i s possible to navigate into the virtual world and interact with the elements. Each of the objects that appear in the navigation environment has been reproduced in the simulation model, including the behavior laws associated with it, so the complete functionality of the all objects can be simulated. This module is built into a larger and more complex computer system composed of the actual submarine simulator, with all its characteristic components (except the periscope) and the functional system, which simulates all the external signals that are captured by the submarine. The application automatically updates in the virtual environment any changes to the environment navigation and allows access, from this environment, to information on every component the same way as is done from a real periscope. The virtual reality application has been implemented in a hardware configuration and has the same interface as that used in the real periscope. In this way, the system developed can be integrated into a replica of the submarine emulating a real periscope, it being able to fully interact with the global system and allow totally real situations to be simulated.
Fair load-balance on parallel systems for QoS 1

CISUC , Department of Informatic Engineering, University of Coimbra Portugal {lorleans, pnf}@dei.uc. pt Abstract: Many of the load-balancing algorithms used in parallel systems do not have a concern about response times: tasks (or requests) are simply dispatched to a server, which provides no guarantees about their execution times. When there is a maximum acceptable response time (i.e. deadline) for tasks to be executed, the consequences caused by the adoption of traditional algorithms for load-balancing can be catastrophic: when the system is under heavy loads, a huge amount of tasks miss their deadlines, even the faster ones. Also, the number of longer tasks that ends is very small – near to zero in all cases. In this paper we discuss why the traditional algorithms fail to provide the intended QoS capacity. Then, we present a new algorithm, “On-demand Restriction for Big Tasks (ORBITA)”, which is proved, by simulation, to be a fair alternative for stressed systems since tasks of all durations have a chance to complete their execution before their deadlines are reached.
Changes of the plankton spring outburst related to the North Atlantic Oscillation

Changes in the timing, composition, and intensity of freshwater phytoplankton blooms are known to have an impact on water quality and aquatic ecosystem functions. Factors provoking these changes are, therefore, of major importance. In Lake Erken in southeastern Sweden considerable changes in the timing and large variations in the composition of phytoplankton spring peaks have been observed during the past 45 yr. Here we show that long‐term changes and variations in Lake Erken are strongly related to a single global parameter—the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Even regional parameters that are known to have most influence onthe spring development of phytoplankton such as ice break‐up and nutrient concentrations could not provide a more conclusive explanation of the observed changes in spring phytoplankton, making the NAO a very powerful and simple tool in determining the timing and composition of phytoplankton spring peaks in a temperate lake.
TweetMotif: Exploratory Search and Topic Summarization for Twitter

We present TweetMotif, an exploratory search applica- tion for Twitter. Unlike traditional approaches to in- formation retrieval, which present a simple list of mes- sages, TweetMotif groups messages by frequent signif- icant terms — a result set’s subtopics — which facili- tate navigation and drilldown through a faceted search interface. The topic extraction system is based on syn- tactic ﬁltering, language modeling, near-duplicate de- tection, and set cover heuristics. We have used Tweet- Motif to deﬂate rumors, uncover scams, summarize sentiment, and track political protests in real-time. A demo of TweetMotif, plus its source code, is available at http://tweetmotif.com.
A STEP TOWARD EVOLVING BIPED WALKING BEHAVIOR THROUGH INDIRECT ENCODING

Teaching simulated biped robots to walk is a popular problem in machine learning. However, until this thesis, evolving a biped controller has not been attempted through an indirect encoding, i.e. a compressed representation of the solution, despite the fact that natural bipeds such as humans evolved through such an indirect encoding (i.e. DNA). Thus the promise for indirect encoding is to evolve gaits that rival those seen in nature. In this thesis, an indirect encoding called HyperNEAT evolves a controller for a biped robot in a computer simulation. To most effectively explore the deceptive behavior space of biped walkers, novelty search is applied as a fitness metric. The result is that although the indirect encoding can evolve a stable bipedal gait, the overall neural architecture is brittle to small mutations. This result suggests that some capabilities might be necessary to include beyond indirect encoding, such as lifetime adaptation. Thus this thesis provides fresh insight into the requisite ingredients for the eventual achievement of fluid bipedal walking through artificial evolution.
Light Influences How the Fungal Toxin Deoxynivalenol Affects Plant Cell Death and Defense Responses

The Fusarium mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) can cause cell death in wheat (Triticum aestivum), but can also reduce the level of cell death caused by heat shock in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) cell cultures. We show that 10 μg mL−1 DON does not cause cell death in Arabidopsis cell cultures, and its ability to retard heat-induced cell death is light dependent. Under dark conditions, it actually promoted heat-induced cell death. Wheat cultivars differ in their ability to resist this toxin, and we investigated if the ability of wheat to mount defense responses was light dependent. We found no evidence that light affected the transcription of defense genes in DON-treated roots of seedlings of two wheat cultivars, namely cultivar CM82036 that is resistant to DON-induced bleaching of spikelet tissue and cultivar Remus that is not. However, DON treatment of roots led to genotype-dependent and light-enhanced defense transcript accumulation in coleoptiles. Wheat transcripts encoding a phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) gene (previously associated with Fusarium resistance), non-expressor of pathogenesis-related genes-1 (NPR1) and a class III plant peroxidase (POX) were DON-upregulated in coleoptiles of wheat cultivar CM82036 but not of cultivar Remus, and DON-upregulation of these transcripts in cultivar CM82036 was light enhanced. Light and genotype-dependent differences in the DON/DON derivative content of coleoptiles were also observed. These results, coupled with previous findings regarding the effect of DON on plants, show that light either directly or indirectly influences the plant defense responses to DON.
Stakeholding and Its Critics

Capitalism is the only game in town, according to Will Hutton, but we can choose between different varieties. Hutton attributes the blame for Britain's poor performance to the pursuit of short-term profits for investors, instead of long-term policies which take into account the needs not only of shareholders but of suppliers, workers, trade unions and banks as well. Hutton blames the last Conservative government's 'single-minded pursuit of free-market economic doctrines' for making the situation worse and leading to a fragmented society. Instead, he recommends stakeholder theory, embodied in a range of reforms to discourage short-term profit-seeking and to change the structures of corporate governance. Hutton's critics take stakeholder theory to task on a number of points. Tim Congdon shows that, far from demanding exceptionally high short-term returns on capital, UK investors accept the lowest rate of return of all the large OECD countries. However, in terms of output per unit of capital invested, the UK has out-performed all other G7 countries since 1979. David Green argues that Hutton's analysis of failures in the welfare state is misguided since, far from rigorously pursing market principles, the Conservative government has continued the paternalistic/corporatist approach to welfare which characterises socialism. Stanley Kalms puts the retailer's view of 'stakeholding', which he says would leave shoppers worse off. Martin Ricketts shows how competitive markets offer a choice of institutional types, including co-ops, mutual organisations, partnerships, profit-sharing firms and joint stock corporations. If 'stakeholding' is considered beneficial by businesses there is nothing to stop it developing. Elaine Sternberg argues that stakeholder theory would, in practice, be unworkable. It would reduce corporate governance to a complicated procedure of balancing the competing claims of various 'stakeholders', ruling out the pursuit of any specific objective, commercial or otherwise. In keeping with the symposium format which has made previous publications in this series so useful for teaching purposes, Hutton is given the chance to respond to his critics. Stakeholding and its Critics thus presents a valuable cross-section of the debate on this important and topical issue.
Helicase Domain Encoded by Cucumber mosaic virus RNA1 Determines Systemic Infection of Cmr1 in Pepper

The Cmr1 gene in peppers confers resistance to Cucumber mosaic virus isolate-P0 (CMV-P0). Cmr1 restricts the systemic spread of CMV strain-Fny (CMV-Fny), whereas this gene cannot block the spread of CMV isolate-P1 (CMV-P1) to the upper leaves, resulting in systemic infection. To identify the virulence determinant of CMV-P1, six reassortant viruses and six chimeric viruses derived from CMV-Fny and CMV-P1 cDNA clones were used. Our results demonstrate that the C-terminus of the helicase domain encoded by CMV-P1 RNA1 determines susceptibility to systemic infection, and that the helicase domain contains six different amino acid substitutions between CMV-Fny and CMV-P1. To identify the key amino acids of the helicase domain determining systemic infection with CMV-P1, we then constructed amino acid substitution mutants. Of the mutants tested, amino acid residues at positions 865, 896, 957, and 980 in the 1a protein sequence of CMV-P1 affected the systemic infection. Virus localization studies with GFP-tagged CMV clones and in situ localization of virus RNA revealed that these four amino acid residues together form the movement determinant for CMV-P1 movement from the epidermal cell layer to mesophyll cell layers. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that CMV-P1 and a chimeric virus with four amino acid residues of CMV-P1 accumulated more genomic RNA in inoculated leaves than did CMV-Fny, indicating that those four amino acids are also involved in virus replication. These results demonstrate that the C-terminal region of the helicase domain is responsible for systemic infection by controlling virus replication and cell-to-cell movement. Whereas four amino acids are responsible for acquiring virulence in CMV-Fny, six amino acid (positions at 865, 896, 901, 957, 980 and 993) substitutions in CMV-P1 were required for complete loss of virulence in ‘Bukang’.
Numerical Modelling of the Czochralski Growth of β-Ga2O3

Our numerical modelling of the Czochralski growth of single crystalline β-Ga 2 O 3 crystals (monoclinic symmetry) starts at the 2D heat transport analysis within the crystal growth furnace, proceeds with the 3D heat transport and fluid flow analysis in the crystal-melt-crucible arrangement and targets the 3D thermal stress analysis within the β-Ga 2 O 3 crystal. In order to perform the stress analysis, we measured the thermal expansion coefficients and the elastic stiffness coefficients in two samples of a β-Ga 2 O 3 crystal grown at IKZ. Additionally, we analyse published data of β-Ga 2 O 3 material properties and use data from literature for comparative calculations. The computations were performed by the software packages CrysMAS, CGsim, Ansys-cfx and comsol Multiphysics. By the hand of two different thermal expansion data sets and two different crystal orientations, we analyse the elastic stresses in terms of the von-Mises stress.
Individual variation and repeatability in aerobic and anaerobic swimming performance of European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax

SUMMARY Studies of inter-individual variation in fish swimming performance may provide insight into how selection has influenced diversity in phenotypic traits. We investigated individual variation and short-term repeatability of individual swimming performance by wild European sea bass in a constant acceleration test (CAT). Fish were challenged with four consecutive CATs with 5 min rest between trials. We measured maximum anaerobic speed at exhaustion (UCAT), gait transition speed from steady aerobic to unsteady anaerobic swimming (Ugt), routine metabolic rate (RMR), post-CAT maximum metabolic rate (MMR), aerobic scope and recovery time from the CATs. Fish achieved significantly higher speeds during the first CAT (UCAT=170 cm s–1), and had much more inter-individual variation in performance (coefficient of variation, CV=18.43%) than in the subsequent three tests (UCAT=134 cm s–1; CV=7.3%), which were very repeatable among individuals. The individual variation in UCAT in the first trial could be accounted for almost exclusively by variation in anaerobic burst-and-coast performance beyond Ugt. The Ugt itself varied substantially between individuals (CV=11.4%), but was significantly repeatable across all four trials. Individual RMR and MMR varied considerably, but the rank order of post-CAT MMR was highly repeatable. Recovery rate from the four CATs was highly variable and correlated positively with the first UCAT (longer recovery for higher speeds) but negatively with RMR and aerobic scope (shorter recovery for higher RMR and aerobic scope). This large variation in individual performance coupled with the strong correlations between some of the studied variables may reflect divergent selection favouring alternative strategies for foraging and avoiding predation.