Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding Cultivar-Specificity and Soil Determinants of the Cannabis Microbiome

Understanding microbial partnerships with the medicinally and economically important crop Cannabis has the potential to affect agricultural practice by improving plant fitness and production yield. Furthermore, Cannabis presents an interesting model to explore plant-microbiome interactions as it produces numerous secondary metabolic compounds. Here we present the first description of the endorhiza-, rhizosphere-, and bulk soil-associated microbiome of five distinct Cannabis cultivars. Bacterial communities of the endorhiza showed significant cultivar-specificity. When controlling cultivar and soil type the microbial community structure was significantly different between plant cultivars, soil types, and between the endorhiza, rhizosphere and soil. The influence of soil type, plant cultivar and sample type differentiation on the microbial community structure provides support for a previously published two-tier selection model, whereby community composition across sample types is determined mainly by soil type, while community structure within endorhiza samples is determined mainly by host cultivar.
Electronic Cleansing in Dual-energy Fecal-tagging CT Colonography Based on Material Decomposition and Virtual Colon Tagging

— Dual-energy CT provides a promising solution to identify tagged fecal materials in electronic cleansing (EC) for fecal-tagging CT colonography (CTC). In this study, we developed a new EC method based on virtual colon tagging (VCT) for minimizing EC artifacts by use of the material decomposition ability in dual-energy CTC images. In our approach, a localized three-material decomposition model decomposes each voxel into a material mixture vector and the first partial derivatives of three base materials: luminal air, soft tissue, and iodine-tagged fecal material. A Poisson-based derivative smoothing algorithm smoothes the derivatives and implicitly smoothes the associated material mixture fields. VCT is a means for marking the entire colonic lumen by virtually elevating the CT value of luminal air as high as that of the tagged fecal materials to differentiate effectively soft-tissue structures from air-tagging mixtures. A dual-energy EC scheme based on VCT method, denoted as VCT-EC, was developed, in which the colonic lumen was first virtually tagged and then segmented by its high values in VCT images. The performance of the VCT-EC scheme was evaluated in a phantom study and a clinical dual-energy fecal-tagging CTC study. Our results demonstrated that our VCT-EC scheme may provide a significant reduction of EC artifacts.
Configuration Saliency Revealed by Dichoptic Masking

We studied suprathreshold spatial integration by testing the saliency of multi Gabor element configurations in dichoptic masking conditions. Dichoptic presentations allows for a competition between spatially overlapping suprathreshold stimuli that involve nonoverlapping receptive fields in the first stage of visual filtering. Different spatial configurations of Gabor patches (sigma=lambda=0.12 deg) were presented to one eye (target) together with a bandpass noise presented to the other eye (mask). After a short rivalry period (128 ms) in which a dominance of one eye was established, a probe (a randomly positioned small rectangle of reduced contrast in the target) was presented for an additional detection period (80 ms). Probe detection performance was measured (2AFC) by finding the mask contrast leading to 75% correct response. We find that textures of randomly oriented patches are more dominant than uniform textures where the effect decreases and even reverses with decreasing of contrast. For suprathreshold (1-D) contours, however, we find that smooth collinear contours are more dominant than ‘jagged’ ones, regardless of contrast. These findings suggest principles underlying an early lateral integration mechanism based on contrast-dependent inhibitory and excitatory connections. This mechanism could be based on iso-orientation surround (2-D) inhibition and collinear (1-D) facilitation, with inhibition being more effective at high contrasts.
Predicting Negative CouchSurfing Experiences using Local Information

We attempt to predict negative references in the CouchSurfing (CS) social network using an SVM classifier. The low frequency of negative references, however, makes prediction very difficult. We attempt to achieve a classifier with a high F1 score by training on data sets with varying distributions of positive and negative examples and by manipulating the decision boundary. We also explore how trust propagates through the CS network in order to design a set of features that represent personalized evaluations of other users. Our model of these local evaluations increases classification performance.
Compact Dual Band Microstrip Loop Antenna Using Defective Ground Plane

Present era of wireless communication thrust the need of miniaturization and multi-frequency operations to make the devices compact and affordable. To overcome the challenges of multi-frequency operation, in this paper a revised design is proposed for dual band microstrip antenna printed on RT-duroid substrate which can operate in two frequency bands with a single structure. To make the antenna compact the use of defective ground plane is justified as the size of the structure becomes almost one-third in comparison to the structure with full ground plain. The basic principal of its operation is the multiple resonance frequencies, the first frequency band occurs due to first resonance frequency and the second frequency band due to third resonance frequency which is the first odd harmonic of first resonance frequency. Due to the symmetry in the structure the even harmonics are cancelled out. The antenna is designed using 1.2 mm wide metal lines printed on a simple RT-duroid substrate (εr = 2.22) of thickness (H =15mils) it works like a coplanar waveguide micro-strip line of Z0 =50ohm, the structure is very simple rectangular loop printed as a microstrip line with characteristics impedance. Design is simulated using Electromagnetic simulator. We got exciting results of return loss is less than-30dB at both the resonance frequencies (1.5GHz & 4.2GHz).
International evidence on financing of R&D

This chapter examines the financing patterns of R&D expenditures using data from 38 countries for the period 1980-2006. The major hypothesis is that higher equity financing and higher past stock market valuation are associated with higher R&D expenditures. The evidence supports this hypothesis for firms, especially in market-based countries. The sensitivities of equity financing and internal funds are different between financially constrained and unconstrained firms. The results are robust when the effect of patent rights protection, which has also a nonlinear effect on R&D, is controlled.
An aggregate stochastic dynamic programming model of multireservoir systems

We present a new method of determining an operating policy for a multireservoir system in which the operating policy for a reservoir is determined by solving a stochastic dynamic programming model consisting of that reservoir and a two‐dimensional representation of the rest of the system. The method is practical for systems with many reservoirs because the time required to determine an operating policy only increases quadratically with the number of reservoirs in the system and because the operating policy for a reservoir is a function of few variables. We apply the method to examples of multireservoir systems with between 3 and 17 reservoirs and show that the operating policies determined are very close to optimal.
Lattice Reduction-aided Minimum Mean Square Error K-Best detection for MIMO systems

The Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) with a Spatial-Multiplexing scheme is a topic of high interest for the next generation of wireless communications systems. In this paper, we propose to approach the Maximum Likelihood (ML) performance through the combination of a neighbourhood study and a Lattice Reduction (LR)-aided solution. Moreover, by introducing a neighbourhood study in the reduced domain, we propose in this paper a novel equivalent metric that is based on the combination of the LR-aided Minimum-Mean Square Error solution. We show that the proposed metric presents a relevant complexity reduction while maintaining near-ML performance. In particular, the corresponding computational complexity is polynomial in the number of antennas while it is shown to be independent of the constellation size. For a 4×4 MIMO system with 16-QAM modulation on each layer, the proposed solution is simultaneously near-ML and ten times less complex than the classical neighbourhood-based K-Best solution.
CB1 cannabinoid receptors promote oxidative stress and cell death in murine models of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy and in human cardiomyocytes.

AIMS Here we investigated the mechanisms by which cardiovascular CB1 cannabinoid receptors may modulate the cardiac dysfunction, oxidative stress, and interrelated cell death pathways associated with acute/chronic cardiomyopathy induced by the widely used anti-tumour compound doxorubicin (DOX). METHODS AND RESULTS Both load-dependent and -independent indices of left-ventricular function were measured by the Millar pressure-volume conductance system. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, cell-death markers, and oxidative/nitrosative stress were measured by molecular biology/biochemical methods and flow cytometry. DOX induced left-ventricular dysfunction, oxidative/nitrosative stress coupled with impaired antioxidant defense, activation of MAPK (p38 and JNK), and cell death and/or fibrosis in hearts of wide-type mice (CB1(+/+)), and these effects were markedly attenuated in CB1 knockouts (CB1(-/-)). In human primary cardiomyocytes expressing CB1 receptors (demonstrated by RT-PCR, western immunoblot, and flow cytometry) DOX, likewise the CB1 receptor agonist HU210 and the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA), induced MAPK activation and cell death. The DOX-induced MAPK activation and cell death were significantly enhanced when DOX was co-administered with CB1 agonists AEA or HU210. Remarkably, cell death and MAPK activation induced by AEA, HU210, and DOX +/- AEA/HU210 were largely attenuated by either CB1 antagonists (rimonabant and AM281) or by inhibitors of p38 and JNK MAPKs. Furthermore, AEA or HU210 in primary human cardiomyocytes triggered increased reactive oxygen species generation. CONCLUSION CB1 activation in cardiomyocytes may amplify the reactive oxygen/nitrogen species-MAPK activation-cell death pathway in pathological conditions when the endocannabinoid synthetic or metabolic pathways are dysregulated by excessive inflammation and/or oxidative/nitrosative stress, which may contribute to the pathophysiology of various cardiovascular diseases.
Digital identity enrolment and assurance support for VeryIDX

This paper contributes to build a quantitative approach for digital identity assurance. We propose to use a hierarchical structure level to define the assurance level, taking weighted affiliation information into consideration for assurance level; thus creating a more practical assurance supporting model is designed for any digital identities. In doing this an accurate mathematical framework is constructed to calculate the exact assurance level for any digital identities. The paper contributes a concrete architecture of registration authority of digital identity associated with a hierarchical domain name structure for registration authority. The mechanism of assurance support for digital identities can be broadly applied in any federated digital identity management systems.
The development and validation of a measure of character: The CIVIC

Abstract The present research study sought to develop and validate a character scale – the Comprehensive Inventory of Virtuous Instantiations of Character using a total sample size of 3679 across five studies. In Study 1, character trait items were generated using an integrative classification system. In Study 2, character trait scales were further refined and their factor structure examined, revealing eight higher-order character dimensions or character cores: appreciation, intellectual engagement, fortitude, interpersonal consideration, sincerity, temperance, transcendence, and empathy. Study 3 established convergent validity of character traits with extant measures and discriminability from personality facets, social desirability, and moral cognitive development. Study 4 revealed that character cores were more strongly related to evaluative constructs than personality dimensions. Study 5 demonstrated that character cores predicted performance and psychological well-being outcomes above and beyond personality. The implications of our findings for the assessment and taxonomy of character are discussed.
On the accuracy of HF radar surface current measurements: Intercomparisons with ship‐based sensors

High-frequency (HF) radar systems can provide periodic, two-dimensional, vector current estimates over an area approaching 1000 km . As the use of these HF systems has gained wider acceptance, a number of attempts have been made to estimate the accuracy of such systems. However, comparisons of HF radar current estimates with in situ sensors are difficult to interpret since HF systems measure currents averaged over an area of-1 km 2 and to a depth of only -50 cm while in situ sensors measure currents at a point and somewhat greater depths (-1 to 10 m). Previous studies of the accuracy of HF radar technology have thus attributed the differences observed between HF radar and in situ sensors to an unknown combination of vertical shear, horizontal inhomogeneity, in situ instrument errors, and HF radar system errors. This study examines the accuracy of HF radar current measurements using data from the 1993 High Resolution Remote Sensing Experiment, conducted off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Data from four shipborne in situ current meters are compared with data from an Ocean Surface Current Radar (OSCR), a commercial current-measuring radar. We attempt to discern the predominant sources of error in these data by using multiple simultaneous measurements from different sensors and by examining the variation of observed current differences as a function of location. The results suggest an upper bound on the accuracy of the OSCR-derived radial currents of 7 to 8 cm/s. the measurement of near-surface currents in the coastal environ- ment is an important problem.
Tumor angiogenic and hypoxic profiles predict radiographic response and survival in malignant astrocytoma patients treated with bevacizumab and irinotecan.

PURPOSE The combination of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -neutralizing antibody, bevacizumab, and irinotecan is associated with high radiographic response rates and improved survival outcomes in patients with recurrent malignant gliomas. The aim of these retrospective studies was to evaluate tumor vascularity and expression of components of the VEGF pathway and hypoxic responses as predictive markers for radiographic response and survival benefit from the bevacizumab and irinotecan therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a phase II trial, 60 patients with recurrent malignant astrocytomas were treated with bevacizumab and irinotecan. Tumor specimens collected at the time of diagnosis were available for further pathologic studies in 45 patients (75%). VEGF, VEGF receptor-2, CD31, hypoxia-inducible carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), and hypoxia-inducible factor-2alpha were semiquantitatively assessed by immunohistochemistry. Radiographic response and survival outcomes were correlated with these angiogenic and hypoxic markers. RESULTS Of 45 patients, 27 patients had glioblastoma multiforme, and 18 patients had anaplastic astrocytoma. Twenty-six patients (58%) had at least partial radiographic response. High VEGF expression was associated with increased likelihood of radiographic response (P = .024) but not survival benefit. Survival analysis revealed that high CA9 expression was associated with poor survival outcome (P = .016). CONCLUSION In this patient cohort, tumor expression levels of VEGF, the molecular target of bevacizumab, were associated with radiographic response, and the upstream promoter of angiogenesis, hypoxia, determined survival outcome, as measured from treatment initiation. Validation in a larger clinical trial is warranted.
A Gene Ontology based Method for Assessing the Biological Plausibility of Regulatory Hypotheses

Many algorithms that derive gene regulatory networks from microarray gene expression data have been proposed in the literature. The performance of such an algorithm is often measured by how well a genetic network can recreate the gene expression data that the network was derived from. However, this kind of performance does not necessarily mean that the regulatory hypotheses in the network are biologically plausible. We therefore propose a Gene Ontology based method for assessing the biological plausibility of regulatory hypotheses at the gene product level using prior biological knowledge in the form of Gene Ontology annotation of gene products and regulatory pathway databases. Templates are designed to encode general knowledge, derived by generalizing from known interactions to typical properties of interacting gene product pairs. By matching regulatory hypotheses to templates, the plausible hypotheses can be separated from inplausible ones. In a cross-validation test we verify that the templates reliably identify interactions which have not been used in the template creation process, thereby confirming the generality of the approach. The method also proves useful when applied to an example network reconstruction problem, where a Bayesian approach is used to create hypothetical relations which are evaluated for biological plausibility. The cell cycle pathway and the MAPK signaling pathway for S. cerevisiae and H. sapiens are used in the experiments.
Advertising in social network sites – Investigating the social influence of user-generated content on online advertising effects

Abstract In today’s social online world there is a variety of interaction and participatory possibilities which enable web users to actively produce content themselves. This user-generated content is omnipresent in the web and there is growing evidence that it is used to select or evaluate professionally created online information. The present study investigated how this surrounding content affects online advertising by drawing from social influence theory. Specifically, it was assumed that web users sharing an interpersonal relationship (interpersonal influence) and/or a group membership (collective influence) with authors of user-generated content which appears next to advertising on the web page are more strongly influenced in their response to the advertising than unrelated users. These assumptions were tested in a 2 × 2 between-subject experiment with 118 students who were exposed to four different Facebook profiles that differed in terms of interpersonal connection to the source (existent/non-existent) and collective connection to the source (existent/non-existent). The results show a significant impact in the case of collective influence, but not in the case of interpersonal influence. The underlying mechanisms of this effect and implications of the results for online advertising are discussed.
Drawing sadness: what are young children telling us?

ABSTRACT This article reports on the emotional factors that contribute to children’s sadness. As teachers are the most appropriate caregivers to detect problems and to address the impact of these challenges, 30 teachers asked 224 children (N=224) to draw and describe their experiences of sadness. From these drawings, two distinctive themes emerged, namely violence mostly relating to bullying, and experiences of loss. This article provides empirically derived insights which are important in the understanding of young children’s emotional and social needs within the broader society and have implications for teacher training curricula at higher education institutions. Student teachers need to be made aware of the factors that impact on the child’s emotional well-being. Teachers should also be equipped to support and deal with these adversities in a school situation. Future research studies relating to children’s experiences of violence and loss should be conducted in more diverse contexts where ethnicity and socio-economic backgrounds should be considered.
A game theoretic framework for joint routing and pricing in networks with elastic demands

In this paper, we study the economic interactions between network users and providers. Each user must ship his traffic from a source to a destination node, splitting it over multiple paths, each owned by an independent network provider. Users are charged a fixed price per unit of bandwidth used, and face both access and transport costs. The transmission rate of each user is assumed to be function of network congestion (like for TCP traffic) and the price per bandwidth unit. Network providers compete among themselves to cover network users, and set transport prices to maximize their revenue. We provide sufficient conditions for the existence and the uniqueness of the Nash equilibrium under a variety of cost functions, and we derive optimal price and routing settings. Finally, we analyze and discuss several numerical examples that provide insights into the models' solution.
Average Current Feed-Forward Control for Multi-modular Single-Phase UPS Inverters System

Parallel connected multi-modular (M-M) singlephase UPS inverter system is an attractive choice for a reliable and scalable power delivery for critical loads. However, a proper current sharing control technique is required to avoid the inter-modular circulating (IMC) currents without use of any extra power circuit components. The output current of an UPS module is used as load disturbance compensation feedback to reduce output voltage distortion in multi-loop (ML) control of single inverter module structure. This paper presents output Average Current Feed-Forward (ACFF) control scheme for both voltage regulation and equal current sharing in parallel inverter modules. This greatly simplifies the conventional current sharing control. The obtained results in MATLAB environment in Discrete Time Frame (DTF) using Simulink and Sim Power System (SPS) toolboxes for bimodular and tri-modular UPS inverters system illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Orographic Constraints on a Modeled Siberian Snow–Tropospheric–Stratospheric Teleconnection Pathway

Previous modeling studies have identified a teleconnection pathway linking observation-based early season Siberian snow perturbations to a modulation of the winter Arctic Oscillation (AO) mode. In this study, the key role of orography in producing this modeled teleconnection is explicitly investigated using numerical experiments analogous to the previous studies. The climatic response to the same snow perturbation is investigated under modified orographic barriers in southern and eastern Siberia. Reducing these barriers results in a weakening of the prevailing orographically forced region of stationary wave activity centered over Siberia, as well as the snow-forced upward wave flux anomaly that initiates the teleconnection. This diminished anomaly propagates upward, but does not extend into the stratosphere to weaken the polar vortex. Consequently, poleward refraction of upper-tropospheric waves and downward propagation of coupled wave‐mean flow anomalies, which ultimately produce the negative winter AO response, fail to develop. Thus, the mountains represent an orographic constraint on the snow‐AO teleconnection pathway. By reducing the orographic barrier, the snow-forced influx of wave energy remains in the troposphere and, instead, produces a hemispheric-scale equatorward wave refraction.