Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New ecological options for the management of horticultural crop pests in Sudano-Sahelian agroecosystems of west Africa

The agroecological approach to agroecosystem management relies on two pillars: vegetational diversification and soil biological activity enhancement. Although crop pests and their natural enemies may be diversely affected by measures derived from these principles, those generally result in increased agroecosystem resilience visa- vis both aerial and soil pests. Earlier studies by ICRISAT and CIRAD and their partners in West Africa showed the potential of the implementation of these principles for the management of some major pests of both staple food and horticultural crops, and their limitations for others, notably in the water-saving and income-generating systems mixing cereals, legumes, and high-value crops currently promoted in the Sudano-Sahelian zones, such as the drip irrigation-based African Market Garden (AMG) and the water harvesting-based Bio-Reclamation of Degraded Lands (BDL) systems. Pigeon-pea showed potential for trap-cropping tomato fruit worm (TFW) on okra, while Andropogon grass was dismissed for such management of stem-borer on pearl millet, and mixed results were obtained with castor bean and other potential trap crops for panicle-feeding bug management on sorghum. The results presented highlight the potential for mobilizing either aerial or soil-bound biological processes for managing fruit flies (FF), the main pest of grafted jujube tree, and leaf worm, the main pest of the Moringa tree, for sustainable production of these two major crops (in BDL and AMG systems, respectively), without having to rely on synthetic pesticide sprays. Studies on the social acceptability of the proposed management options (e.g., pigeon-pea in okra-based BDL) are also underway. The potential of the Jatropha shrub grown as a live-fence around these systems, either for its top-down effects or via the use of its extracts in an assisted push-pull strategy, is discussed. These studies on targeted pathosystems serve the dual purpose of finding solutions to local problems and contribute more globally to the design of pest resilient agrosystems.
CLUSTERING WITH SIDE INFORMATION FOR MINING TEXT DATA

Side information is available along with text document in several text mining application. They are the different kind of side information such as document provenance information, the link in the document, other non textual attributes which are contained into the document or user access behavior from web logs. Some attributes may contain extremely large amount of information for clustering purpose. Sometimes clustering is more difficult when some of the information is noisy. To design a combination of classical partitioning algorithm with probabilistic model technique to create an effective clustering approach. Then the clustering approach will extend to classification approach for real data set which shows the advantages of previous result.
Carrier wave shocking of femtosecond optical pulses.

Numerical integration of Maxwell’s equations for propagation of a femtosecond pulse in a medium with linear Lorentz response and a Kerr nonlinearity shows shock formation on the underlying carrier wave prior to the envelope shock. The carrier shock is characterized by the appearance of a strong third harmonic pulse whereas the envelope shock appears later as spectral broadening and modulation of the fundamental and higher harmonic spectral features.
Slot Antennas With an Extended Ground for Multiple-Antenna Systems in Compact Wireless Devices

In this letter, new slot antennas with an extended ground are proposed. They are easily built as internal antennas in a compact wireless device. Originated from lambda/4 slot antennas, an additional vertical L-shaped metallic sheet as an extended ground and a main radiator is added to reduce the antenna size. The sheet is designed close to a ground plane, and its height can be chosen according to the available space of a given device. These features offer more design flexibility for antenna and mechanical engineers. In this letter, antennas for WLAN are designed and implemented as examples, and a four-element antenna design using the resultant antennas is demonstrated, showing that the multiple-antenna design occupies only a small region in the system board. With these design examples the proposed structures can be a promising solution for multiple-antenna systems in compact wireless devices.
Isolation, purification, and properties of Penicillium charlesii alkaline protease

A serine protease with a pH optimum from 7 to 9 and activity over the range of pH 3 to 10 was isolated and purified from culture filtrates of Penicillium charlesii 16 days after inoculation. The enzyme was purified by the following sequence of procedures: (i) gel permeation chromatography through Sephacryl S-200, (ii) DEAE-Sepharose anion-exchange chromatography, and (iii) fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) over Superose 12. Anion-exchange chromatography separated the protease activity into a major activity (protease PII, 82%) and two minor activities (proteases PI and PIII, 10 and 8%, respectively, of the total activity). Protease PII has a molecular mass of 44 kilodaltons. Purified preparations of this enzyme are susceptible to autodegradation. FPLC of heat-treated PII gave one major species (PIIa), whereas untreated enzyme resulted in three species (PIIb, PIIc, and PIId). PIIb and PIIc also catalyzed the hydrolysis of protein (hide powder azure). PIIb and PIIc were in the molecular mass range of 10 to 20 kilodaltons. Protease PII is completely inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF). The protease has primary substrate specificity for phenylalanyl or arginyl amino acyl residues attached to amines. The enzyme has amidase, but no esterase activity toward similar synthetic substrates such as occurs with trypsinlike microbial serine proteases. The addition of PMSF (final concentration, 10(-4) M) to 1- and 2-day-old cultures of P. charlesii inhibited the production of extracellular peptidophosphogalactomannan (pPGM) by 41 and 34%, respectively, and inhibited the alkaline protease activity by 85%. These results suggest that the production and release of pPGM may be affected by alkaline protease.
A method for hybrid personalized recommender based on clustering of fuzzy user profiles

Personalized Recommenders can help to find potential items and then recommend them for particular users. Conventional recommender methods always work on a rating schema that items are rated from 1 to 5. However, there are several rating Schemas (ways that items are rated) in reality, which are overlooked by conventional methods. By transforming rating Schemas into fuzzy user profiles to record users' preferences, our proposed method can deal with different system rating Schemas, and improve the scalability of recommender systems. Additionally, we incorporate user-based method with item-based collaborative methods by clustering users, which can help us to gain insight into the relationship between users. The aim of this research is to provide a new method for personalized recommendation. Our proposed method is the first to normalize the user vectors using fuzzy set theory before the k-medians clustering method is adjusted, and then to apply item-based collaborative algorithm with item vectors. To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, the proposed algorithm is compared with two conventional collaborative filtering methods, based on MovieLens data set. As expected, our proposed method outperforms the conventional collaborative filtering methods as it can improve system scalability while maintaining accuracy.
Forensic DNA typing by capillary electrophoresis using the ABI Prism 310 and 3100 genetic analyzers for STR analysis

DNA typing with short tandem repeat (STR) markers is now widely used for a variety of applications including human identification. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) instruments, such as the ABI Prism 310 and ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzers, are the method of choice for many laboratories performing STR analysis. This review discusses issues surrounding sample preparation, injection, separation, detection, and interpretation of STR results using CE systems. Requirements for accurate typing of STR alleles are considered in the context of what future analysis platforms will need to increase sample throughput and ease of use.
ENDOVASCULAR TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTAL ANEURYSMS USING A COMBINATION OF THERMOREVERSIBLE GELATION POLYMER AND PROTECTION DEVICES: FEASIBILITY STUDY

OBJECTIVEWe developed a new liquid embolic agent, an aqueous solution of thermoreversible gelation polymer (TGP) for the treatment of cerebral aneurysms. This polymer solution has the unique characteristics that allow it to solidify at a specific temperature without solvent. We performed an experimental aneurysm embolization using this liquid embolic agent with and without different protective devices to evaluate its technical feasibility for the treatment of aneurysms. METHODSFourteen side-wall aneurysms were surgically constructed on 14 common carotid arteries of 7 swine. Embolizations were conducted in combination with balloon protection (balloon group, n = 4), microstent protection (stent group, n = 4), and microcoil and microstent protection (stent-coil group, n = 4). Two aneurysms were used as controls. One control aneurysm was not embolized, and the other received control stent placement only. Angiographic follow-up was performed on day 14 and was followed by histopathological evaluation. RESULTSSuccessful TGP solution delivery was conducted in all cases. Complete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in all cases without TGP migration. Follow-up angiograms demonstrated complete occlusion in the stent and stent-coil groups. A small recurrence was observed in the balloon group. Histopathological findings demonstrated neoendothelialization across the necks of the aneurysms. CONCLUSIONExperimental aneurysms were safely embolized using TGP. Further modifications related to mechanical stability and long-term safety evaluation results are necessary before clinical application.
Electrodynamic Analysis of Antennas in Multipath Conditions

During the last years, a sustained growth in the number of users in mobile communication systems has led the necessity to increase their capacity. With the imminent arrival of the fourth generation and the deployment of new high data rate services, the increasing of system capacity is essential. Adaptive arrays and MIMO antennas (multiple input and multiple output) become a promising affordable solution. The use of these techniques will not only increase the capacity but also they improve the signal quality, coverage range and they simplify the application of new services by exploiting the specific characteristics of these antenna systems. However, the introduction of these technologies involves changes in network planning and deployment, in addition, the increased complexity of both the tranceptors as the radio resource management. In these new radio technologies, antenna system devices shall be designed to get advantage from the multipath. Moreover antennas cannot be considered apart from the radio channel to define the whole structure of radiocommunication system, as well as, its management and planning. This is why this chapter addresses the analysis of antennas in a multipath environment. The chapter consists of four more sections. The following one is a comprehensive and detailed analysis from the point of view of the electromagnetic theory of a receiving antenna. It will be the basis for the third section, which presents the time analysis of the output antenna signals with deep fading, oriented to a better understanding of more complex systems as the MIMO ones. In this case, the procedure is used to evaluate the spatial correlation between radiators. The fourth section provides a brief description of fading signals from a statistical point of view, deepening into the classification of radio channels. The fifth section presents some conclusions and a list of references.
Mutant Alleles of lptD Increase the Permeability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Define Determinants of Intrinsic Resistance to Antibiotics

ABSTRACT Gram-negative bacteria provide a particular challenge to antibacterial drug discovery due to their cell envelope structure. Compound entry is impeded by the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the outer membrane (OM), and those molecules that overcome this barrier are often expelled by multidrug efflux pumps. Understanding how efflux and permeability affect the ability of a compound to reach its target is paramount to translating in vitro biochemical potency to cellular bioactivity. Herein, a suite of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were constructed in either a wild-type or efflux-null background in which mutations were engineered in LptD, the final protein involved in LPS transport to the OM. These mutants were demonstrated to be defective in LPS transport, resulting in compromised barrier function. Using isogenic strain sets harboring these newly created alleles, we were able to define the contributions of permeability and efflux to the intrinsic resistance of P. aeruginosa to a variety of antibiotics. These strains will be useful in the design and optimization of future antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens.
A MULTI-WAVELENGTH ANALYSIS OF SPITZER SELECTED COMA CLUSTER GALAXIES: STAR FORMATION RATES AND MASSES

We present a thorough study of the specific star formation rates (sSFRs) for MIPS 24 μm selected galaxies in the Coma cluster. We build galaxy spectral energy distributions using optical (u′, g′, r′, i′, z′), near-infrared (J, H, Ks), and mid- to far-infrared (Infrared Array Camera and MIPS) photometry. New and archival spectra confirm 210 cluster members. Subsequently, the total infrared luminosity, galaxy stellar mass, and sSFR for the members are determined by measuring best-fit templates. Using an array of complementary diagnostics, we search for any contaminating active galactic nuclei, but find few. We compare obscured SFRs to unobscured rates derived from extinction-corrected Hα emission line measurements. The agreement between these two values leads us to conclude that there is no evidence for an additionally obscured component. In our spectroscopic sample, complete to 80% for r′ < 19.5, we find that all starbursts are blue and are dwarfs, having masses <109 M☉. Examining the location of these starbursts within the cluster, we confirm that there is a lower fraction in the cluster core.
Sampling Finite-Support Sobolev Signals and Images

Considering finite-support signals, it is shown that the ide al sampling process can be described by means of an orthogonal projection within a Sobolev space. This inter pretation is shown to account for non-uniform and for non-ideal sampling schemes as well. It further enables one t derive a minimax approximation scheme for an arbitrary linear bounded functional while utilizing the sa mpled version of the signal as the only available data. The paper extends and generalizes recent results derived fo r the infinite-support case, and proposes accordingly applications suitable for the more practical situation of fi nite-support signals (images) such as approximation of representation coefficients, Fourier transform evaluatio n and derivative calculations. The new approach offers furt her insight into the intertwining relationship between the ana log and the discrete domains, suggesting improved methods for multi-dimensional signal processing applications.
Evolution of the Late Cretaceous crust in the equatorial region of the Northern Indian Ocean and its implication in understanding the plate kinematics

SUMMARY Analysis of 3100 km of newly acquired marine magnetic data constrained by satellite and shipborne free air gravity anomalies in the corridor between the 86°E fracture zone and Ninetyeast Ridge, north of the equator reveals the evolutionary history of the Late Cretaceous crust characterised by anomaly 34 through 31 (83.5-68.7 Ma) under complex tectonic settings. Seafloor spreading model studies suggest that the crust, particularly between the chrons 33R and 33 (79.0 - 73.6 Ma) was formed with variable and slightly higher half-spreading rates (4.8 - 7.1 cm/yr) than the crust of similar age either in the regions west of 86°E fracture zone, east of the Ninetyeast Ridge or the Southern Crozet Basin. Further, the interpretation of magnetic anomalies suggests the presence of fossil spreading ridge segments and extra oceanic crust on the Indian plate that has been transferred from the Antarctica plate by discrete southward ridge jumps. These ridge jumps are caused by thermal instability of the spreading center as the Indian plate moved northward over the Kerguelen mantle plume. The present study indicates that the spreading ridge-plume interaction is the prime mechanism for these ridge jumps, which have occurred since 75.8 Ma. The newly identified magnetic anomalies 34 through 31 and the inferred ~N3°E trending fracture zones refined the plate reconstruction models for that period.
Higher-order functions for parsing

Abstract In combinator parsing, the text of parsers resembles BNF notation. We present the basic method, and a number of extensions. We address the special problems presented by white-space, and parsers with separate lexical and syntactic phases. In particular, a combining form for handling the ‘offside rule’ is given. Other extensions to the basic method include an ‘into’ combining form with many useful applications, and a simple means by which combinator parsers can produce more informative error messages.
A similarity search algorithm for ellipsoid queries using spatial transformation

A similarity retrieval mechanism should be able to deal with not only the Euclidean distance function but also a more general ellipsoid distance function. In this paper, the authors describe the Spatial Transformation Technique (STT), which is a search technique for ellipsoid queries. The proposed technique, which is based on spatial transformation concepts, can effectively support queries based on an ellipsoid distance function. Although techniques for processing ellipsoid queries by using a multidimensional index structure have previously been proposed, these techniques require a great deal of time to compute the distance between a query point and the bounding rectangle, which results in higher CPU costs than disk access costs. The basic idea of the proposed technique is to transform a bounding rectangle located in the original space, where the distance from a query point must be calculated by using an ellipsoid distance function, to an object in a Euclidean distance space. A bounding rectangle in the original space is changed to a multidimensional polygon when it is transformed to the new space, and a great deal of CPU time is required to calculate the distance between the multidimensional polygon and query point in the multidimensional space. Therefore, instead of using the multidimensional polygon for the distance calculation, the authors use a rectangle that circumscribes that multidimensional polygon. This ensures that the STT will not lead to a false drop. The proposed technique achieves a reduction in CPU costs compared with the conventional technique due to a distance approximation based on the spatial transformation. Evaluation experiments using various query matrices showed the effectiveness of the proposed technique. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 36(1): 88–98, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10307
Shading by shrubs in a desert system reduces the physiological and demographic performance of an associated herbaceous perennial

1 A 2‐year field study examined the demographic consequences of association with shrubs in an herbaceous perennial, Cryptantha flava. Physiological data were collected to evaluate whether shrub effects were mediated primarily through water, nutrient or light availability. 2 Microclimatic conditions under the north side of shrubs differed from open microhabitats, primarily in light availability. Due to little photosynthetic acclimation to light, daily photosynthesis for plants under shrubs was reduced proportionally to the light regime. 3 Shading did not reduce stomatal conductance proportionally to photosynthesis, which led to decreased water use efficiency for plants under shrubs. Few differences were found in leaf water potential between microhabitats, indicating that little competition for water was occurring. 4 There was little evidence for shrub‐induced nutrient island effects. Soil nitrogen, phosphorus and organic content did not differ between open and shrub microhabitats. Leaf nitrogen content also differed little between plants in the two microhabitats. 5 Growth and flowering responses of individuals under shrubs were reduced relative to those in the open, even for plants located on the south side of shrubs. 6 Over this 2‐year period of average to above‐average rainfall, association of C. flava with shrubs was dominated by competition for light, rather than for water or nutrients. Future investigations will address whether this asymmetric competitive interaction changes during years with below‐average rainfall to a facilitative interaction, or one of increased competition for water.
Optimization of a Water Quality Monitoring Network Using a Spatially Referenced Water Quality Model and a Genetic Algorithm

The monitoring network for a river system is designed to provide information about water quantity and quality. The development of Watershed Protection Plans and Total Maximum Daily Loads require systematic monitoring of waterbodies. In this study, optimum water quality monitoring networks were selected to assess E. coli loads in the Guadalupe River and San Antonio River basins. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) was applied to select monitoring stations using the mean annual E. coli flux from the Spatially Referenced Regression Model on Watershed Attributes (SPARROW). The objectives of the GA were to minimize the number of monitoring stations, include large values of the mean annual E. coli flux, and minimize uncertainty of the flux estimations. Constraints related to the monitoring of critical locations were included in a multi-objective optimization problem. The SPARROW model was applied to the optimized GA solution sets, which were compared using the objective values and statistical indices. The best GA-generated alternative set adequately represented the San Antonio River basin, in good agreement with a previous study conducted using only SPARROW. The application of the GA ensured the inclusion of the monitoring stations with large values of E. coli flux, which reflected high-risk areas within the watershed.