Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Non-targeted Metabolomics Approach Unravels the VOCs Associated with the Tomato Immune Response against Pseudomonas syringae

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by plants are secondary metabolites that mediate the plant interaction with pathogens and herbivores. These compounds may perform direct defensive functions, i.e., acting as antioxidant, antibacterial, or antifungal agents, or indirectly by signaling the activation of the plant’s defensive responses. Using a non-targeted GC-MS metabolomics approach, we identified the profile of the VOCs associated with the differential immune response of the Rio Grande tomato leaves infected with either virulent or avirulent strains of Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 pv. tomato. The VOC profile of the tomato leaves infected with avirulent bacteria is characterized by esters of (Z)-3-hexenol with acetic, propionic, isobutyric or butyric acids, and several hydroxylated monoterpenes, e.g., linalool, α-terpineol, and 4-terpineol, which defines the profile of an immunized plant response. In contrast, the same tomato cultivar infected with the virulent bacteria strain produced a VOC profile characterized by monoterpenes and SA derivatives. Interestingly, the differential VOCs emission correlated statistically with the induction of the genes involved in their biosynthetic pathway. Our results extend plant defense system knowledge and suggest the possibility for generating plants engineered to over-produce these VOCs as a complementary strategy for resistance.
Off-line signature verification using G-SURF

In the field of biometric authentication, automatic signature identification and verification has been a strong research area because of the social and legal acceptance and extensive use of the written signature as an easy method for authentication. Signature verification is a process in which the questioned signature is examined in detail in order to determine whether it belongs to the claimed person or not. Signatures provide a secure means for confirmation and authorization in legal documents. So nowadays, signature identification and verification becomes an essential component in automating the rapid processing of documents containing embedded signatures. Sometimes, part-based signature verification can be useful when a questioned signature has lost its original shape due to inferior scanning quality. In order to address the above-mentioned adverse scenario, we propose a new feature encoding technique. This feature encoding is based on the amalgamation of Gabor filter-based features with SURF features (G-SURF). Features generated from a signature are applied to a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier. For experimentation, 1500 (50×30) forgeries and 1200 (50×24) genuine signatures from the GPDS signature database were used. A verification accuracy of 97.05% was obtained from the experiments.
A personalized search engine based on Web‐snippet hierarchical clustering

We propose a (meta‐)search engine, called SnakeT (SNippet Aggregation for Knowledge ExtracTion), which queries more than 18 commodity search engines and offers two complementary views on their returned results. One is the classical flat‐ranked list, the other consists of a hierarchical organization of these results into folders created on‐the‐fly at query time and labeled with intelligible sentences that capture the themes of the results contained in them. Users can browse this hierarchy with various goals: knowledge extraction, query refinement and personalization of search results. In this novel form of personalization, the user is requested to interact with the hierarchy by selecting the folders whose labels (themes) best fit her query needs. SnakeT then personalizes on‐the‐fly the original ranked list by filtering out those results that do not belong to the selected folders. Consequently, this form of personalization is carried out by the users themselves and thus results fully adaptive, privacy preserving, scalable and non‐intrusive for the underlying search engines. We have extensively tested SnakeT and compared it against the best available Web‐snippet clustering engines. SnakeT is efficient and effective, and shows that a mutual reinforcement relationship between ranking and Web‐snippet clustering does exist. In fact, the better the ranking of the underlying search engines, the more relevant the results from which SnakeT distills the hierarchy of labeled folders, and hence the more useful this hierarchy is to the user. Vice versa, the more intelligible the folder hierarchy, the more effective the personalization offered by SnakeT on the ranking of the query results. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring Individual Differences in Anthropomorphism toward Machines and Animals

Two scales were constructed to assess anthropomorphism during human-machine and human-animal interactions. Participants were asked about their tendencies to self-engage in anthropomorphic behaviors and their attributions about others' anthropomorphic behaviors. Results indicated that the tendency to anthropomorphize pets is distinct from the tendency to anthropomorphize artifacts such as cars and computers. Parallel results were obtained for the attributions. Subsequent analyses showed a gender difference for the general tendency to self-engage in anthropomorphic behaviors and the nature of the attributions made for others' anthropomorphic behaviors. Females reported that they anthropomorphized animals more than males. They also made more positive attributions for others' anthropomorphic behaviors toward animals. No gender differences were observed for anthropomorphism toward artifacts. Overall, the results support a necessary distinction between anthropomorphism directed toward animals versus artifacts. They also suggest that gender differences in anthropomorphism need to be considered when designing “intelligent agents” that can interact effectively with humans.
Read Disturbance Reduction Technique for Offset-Canceling Dual-Stage Sensing Circuits in Deep Submicrometer STT-RAM

Spin-transfer-torque random access memory (STT-RAM) has attracted much research interest for its characteristics of scalability, nonvolatility, and small cell size. As the technology node is scaled down, however, the sensing margin (SM) and read disturbance margin (RDM) of the STT-RAM are degraded because of increased process variation, decreased supply voltage, and reduced critical switching current. In this brief, we propose a half-pulsewidth read disturbance (HPWRD) scheme that is capable of significantly improving the RDM by reducing the read disturbance time by half. Results from a Monte Carlo HSPICE simulation using the parameters of a 45-nm industry-compatible model show that the HPWRD scheme produces a three-order improvement in the RDM without sacrificing the SM, speed, or energy efficiency, at the cost of an increased area overhead of 4.12% for a subarray size of 128 × 16.
Lessening sensitivity: student experiences of teaching and learning sensitive issues

Despite growing interest in learning and teaching as emotional activities, there is still very little research on experiences of sensitive issues. Using qualitative data from students from a range of social science disciplines, this study investigates student's experiences. The paper highlights how, although they found it difficult and distressing at times, the students all valued being able to explore sensitive issues during their studies. The paper argues that it is though repeated exposure to sensitive issues within the classroom that the students became more comfortable with the issues. This process of lessening sensitivity is an important part of the emotional journey through higher education. It will argue that good student experiences need not always be positive emotions and that sensitive issues should be seen as an important part of transformational education.
Technology Inflection Points

Transistor design is becoming exciting again. FinFETs will take us to 7nm technology node. Beyond that, we tailor semiconductor bandstructure to optimize transistor behavior. Quantum transport analysis of transistors scaled from 10nm to 2nm design rules shows that the last node where materials with high mobility like Ge and III-V can be used is the 7nm node. At 5nm design rules and beyond, the high mobility materials exhibit unacceptable direct source-to-drain leakage and therefore become uncompetitive to silicon. Even silicon will require a careful choice of crystal orientation or a stress engineering to slow down the electrons and holes. In terms of transistor architecture, at 5nm, either a switch to nanowires or SiGe channel cladding can be used to extend the FinFET lifespan. One other key point is that Design-Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) suggests that perfecting a single transistor is not enough to get a good Power-Performance-Area (PPA) trade-off. We employ standard library cells as a vehicle for benchmarking transistor and interconnect architectures. At 5nm design rules, several new trade-off choices come into play and enable further gains in terms of the PPA optimization.
Host cell‐derived sphingolipids are required for the intracellular growth of Chlamydia trachomatis

Chlamydia trachomatis, an important cause of human disease, is an obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen that relies on the eukaryotic host cell for its replication. Recent reports have revealed that the C. trachomatis vacuole receives host‐derived sphingolipids by fusing with trans‐Golgi network (TGN)‐derived secretory vesicles. Here, it is shown that these lipids are required for the growth of the bacteria. C. trachomatis was unable to replicate at 39°C in the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)‐derived cell line SPB‐1, a cell line incapable of synthesizing sphingolipids at this temperature because of a temperature‐sensitive mutation in the serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) gene. Complementation with the wild‐type SPT gene or addition of exogenous cell‐permeable sphingolipid precursors to the mutant cells restored their ability to support chlamydial replication. l‐cycloserine ( l‐CS) and fumonisin B1 (FB1), inhibitors of sphingolipid biosynthesis, decreased the proliferation of the bacteria in eukaryotic cells at concentrations that also decreased host cell sphingolipid synthesis. In the case of FB1, the vacuoles appeared aberrant; the addition of sphingolipid precursors was able to reverse the altered morphology of the FB1‐treated vacuoles. Collectively, these data strongly suggest that the growth and replication of chlamydiae is dependent on synthesis of sphingolipids by the eukaryotic host cell and may contribute to this organism’s obligate intracellular parasitism.
Context and Mentoring: Examining Formal and Informal Relationships in High Tech Firms and K-12 Schools

Mentoring relationships have been increasingly used as a means for leadership development across a range of contexts. However, it is unclear whether mentoring and its outcomes are a function of the type of mentoring provided within an organization 's context. To begin to address this issue, the present study examines the effects of mentoring relationship type (formal vs. informal) and organizational context (high tech carporate firms vs. K-12 schools) on protégés' perception of mentoring functions and outcomes using data from 88 working professionals. Results of MANCOVA indicated that mentoring relationship type and organizational context interacted to influence protégés' ratings of career development, role modeling and organizational commitment. Protégés in informal relationships reported higher levels of psychosocial support received than protégés in formal relationships. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
A robotic vehicle for disabled children

One of the most frequent effects of physical disability is reduced or impaired mobility. There are a number of technical aids for all the cases of physical impairment but none of the systems described in the literature address the particular problems of children affected by neuromotor disorders accompanied by mental retardation. The following addresses the development of the PALMA [(plataforma de apoyo ludico a la movilidad alternative) (assistive platform for alternative mobility)] system as a tool to assist the mobility of children affected by cerebral palsy. PALMA is specifically adapted to a personalized and early cognitive development of children affected by severe neuromotor problems. The rehabilitation process based on PALMA has an impact on the interaction between children and environment, on their motor dexterity, and on decision-making ability.
Polymorphisms in HSD17B1: Early Onset and Increased Risk of Alzheimer's Disease in Women with Down Syndrome

Background/Aims. Genetic variants that affect estrogen activity may influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In women with Down syndrome, we examined the relation of polymorphisms in hydroxysteroid-17beta-dehydrogenase (HSD17B1) to age at onset and risk of AD. HSD17B1 encodes the enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD1), which catalyzes the conversion of estrone to estradiol. Methods. Two hundred and thirty-eight women with DS, nondemented at baseline, 31–78 years of age, were followed at 14–18-month intervals for 4.5 years. Women were genotyped for 5 haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the HSD17B1 gene region, and their association with incident AD was examined. Results. Age at onset was earlier, and risk of AD was elevated from two- to threefold among women homozygous for the minor allele at 3 SNPs in intron 4 (rs676387), exon 6 (rs605059), and exon 4 in COASY (rs598126). Carriers of the haplotype TCC, based on the risk alleles for these three SNPs, had an almost twofold increased risk of developing AD (hazard ratio = 1.8, 95% CI, 1.1–3.1). Conclusion. These findings support experimental and clinical studies of the neuroprotective role of estrogen.
Entrepreneurship and disability: Exploring the barriers to entrepreneurship amongst the physically disabled in Ireland

For too long it has been assumed that entrepreneurship and disability is an oxymoron. This study seeks to explore the barriers and opportunities experienced by entrepreneurs with a physical disability in running a business in Ireland. Self-employment may offer the individual unrivalled flexibility to work around a physically disabling condition. Current vocational rehabilitation and disability pedagogy and policy neglects to consider entrepreneurship as part of the narrative. Boylan and Buchardt (2002) stress that self-employment can provide an alternative to a competitive and discriminatory labour market for people with a disability (PWD). Likewise, Arnold and Ipsen (2005) note there are few opportunities in work and that self-employment may offer flexibility to address illness for persons with a disability. This study seeks to address a lacuna in the current research literature on the barriers encountered by entrepreneurs with a disability (EWD) in Ireland. The current study has used case studies and they describe a number of entrepreneurs with a disability (EWD) and illuminate the tremendous passion, drive and enthusiasm amongst those profiled. The case studies collectively demonstrate the success stories and deepen as well as broaden knowledge and understanding of the entrepreneurial process. The current study also profiles a number of persons with a disability (PWD) not currently engaged in entrepreneurial activity and provides insight into the barriers and impediments which prevent enterprise creation. The findings reveal that EWD demonstrate considerable resourcefulness, are relatively well educated and demonstrated prior experience and have access to networks and supportive families thus are able to operate effectively as entrepreneurs. The EWD demonstrated considerable commitment and dedication to their respective enterprises. Conversely, the PWD in the current research reveal a very marginalised and peripheral group, isolated in society. Lacking in educational attainment and prior work experience, low levels of familial expectation compound low levels of self-confidence and exacerbate a solitary marginalised life. This highlights the tremendous barriers encountered by PWD in Irish society.
A Novel Stochastic MIMO Channel Model and Its Physical Interpretation

We present a novel stochastic channel model for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless radio channels. In contrast to state of the art stochastic MIMO channel models, we do not divide the spatial correlation properties of the channel into separate contributions from transmitter and receiver. We rather model the joint correlation properties by describing the average coupling between the eigenmodes of the two link ends. The structure of this coupling is shown to be crucial for the spatial properties of a MIMO channel. We discuss the mathematical elements of the model from a radio propagation point of view, and explain the physical restrictions on the MIMO setup imposed by the model. A comparison to the more restrictive but popular ‘Kronecker’ model is provided. Finally, we show that our model is capable of correctly predicting the mutual information of measured indoor MIMO channels.
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Online Robust Dictionary Learning

Online dictionary learning is particularly useful for processing large-scale and dynamic data in computer vision. It, however, faces the major difficulty to incorporate robust functions, rather than the square data fitting term, to handle outliers in training data. In this paper, we propose a new online framework enabling the use of ℓ1 sparse data fitting term in robust dictionary learning, notably enhancing the usability and practicality of this important technique. Extensive experiments have been carried out to validate our new framework.
Substance use problems in developing countries.

“Recurring economic and political crises in various parts of the world, serious environmental problems, and widespread insecurity about the future” (W1) have increased the gap between rich and poor, between countries and also within countries. What do we know about the role of substance use and the risk factors and impact of sub-stance use problems in this context? The problems have to a large extent been stabilized in developed countries that have been exposed to substance use for decades, in contrast to many develop-ing countries and countries with former socialist economies (2). Alcohol use is rising rapidly in some of the developing regions (W3): early onset and excessive drinking are reported; large increases in cigarette smoking are also documented (4). For illicit drugs, data are more dif-ﬁcult to obtain. Major increases in inject-ing drug use, which carries the highest health risks, are recorded: opiate injecting in eastern European countries and south and South-East Asia, and amphetamine injecting in many regions (W5). Research on social and environ-mental factors contributing to such increases has been less extensive in the developing world, but indicators and case studies (6, 7) direct attention to urban-ization, poverty, migration, technological change, educational deﬁcits, and vested interests in marketing substances (W8). In Asia, Africa and Latin America, urban populations increased from 16% to 50% of the total. “Increased stressors and adverse events, such as overcrowded and polluted environments, poverty and dependence on a cash economy, high levels of violence and reduced social support” (9) have deleterious conse-quences for mental health in general and substance use problems in particular, in-creasing the risk of heavy drinking. Half of the urban populations in low- and middle-income countries live in poverty, and tens of millions are homeless; 77% of Brazilian street children drink heavily. Associated with poverty are unemploy-ment, low education and deprivation, all contributing to higher prevalences
Body image and the female swimmer: muscularity but in moderation

The purpose of this study was to investigate embodiment in a cohort of female swimmers. Relatively limited consideration has been given to body image in female swimmers and this study endeavoured to provide the first formal comparative insight into embodiment in adolescent swimmers and adult swimmers. Nineteen Scottish female swimmers took part in focus groups and interviews where they discussed issues related to body image; eight were adolescent swimmers aged between 14 and 18 years and 11 were adult swimmers aged between 19 and 56 years. The focus groups and interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The analysis identified three body image themes associated with swimming: the impact of swimming on the body – muscularity but in moderation, body confidence as transient: age matters, and the influence of others. Swimmers developed muscular bodies that were considered contrary to the cultural thin ideal. There were clear differences between the different age groups in respect of the transiency of body satisfaction whereby adult swimmers transferred their swimming confidence into their social worlds but this was not the case for adolescent swimmers. Implications of the findings for coaches working with young female swimmers are discussed.
Achieving the KS threshold in the general stochastic block model with linearized acyclic belief propagation

The stochastic block model (SBM) has long been studied in machine learning and network science as a canonical model for clustering and community detection. In the recent years, new developments have demonstrated the presence of threshold phenomena for this model, which have set new challenges for algorithms. For the {\it detection} problem in symmetric SBMs, Decelle et al.\ conjectured that the so-called Kesten-Stigum (KS) threshold can be achieved efficiently. This was proved for two communities, but remained open from three communities. We prove this conjecture here, obtaining a more general result that applies to arbitrary SBMs with linear size communities. The developed algorithm is a linearized acyclic belief propagation (ABP) algorithm, which mitigates the effects of cycles while provably achieving the KS threshold in $O(n \ln n)$ time. This extends prior methods by achieving universally the KS threshold while reducing or preserving the computational complexity. ABP is also connected to a power iteration method on a generalized nonbacktracking operator, formalizing the spectral-message passing interplay described in Krzakala et al., and extending results from Bordenave et al.