Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two classes of ovarian primordial follicles exhibit distinct developmental dynamics and physiological functions

In the mammalian ovary, progressive activation of primordial follicles serves as the source of fertilizable ova, and disorders in the development of primordial follicles lead to various ovarian diseases. However, very little is known about the developmental dynamics of primordial follicles under physiological conditions, and the fates of distinct populations of primordial follicles also remain unclear. In this study, by generating the Foxl2-CreERT2 and Sohlh1-CreERT2 inducible mouse models, we have specifically labeled and traced the in vivo development of two classes of primordial follicles, the first wave of simultaneously activated follicles after birth and the primordial follicles that are gradually activated in adulthood. Our results show that the first wave of follicles exists in the ovaries for ∼3 months and contributes to the onset of puberty and to early fertility. The primordial follicles at the ovarian cortex gradually replace the first wave of follicles and dominate the ovary after 3 months of age, providing fertility until the end of reproductive life. Moreover, by tracing the time periods needed for primordial follicles to reach various advanced stages in vivo, we were able to determine the exact developmental dynamics of the two classes of primordial follicles. We have now revealed the lifelong developmental dynamics of ovarian primordial follicles under physiological conditions and have clearly shown that two classes of primordial follicles follow distinct, age-dependent developmental paths and play different roles in the mammalian reproductive lifespan.
A mathematical model of tumour angiogenesis: growth, regression and regrowth

Cancerous tumours have the ability to recruit new blood vessels through a process called angiogenesis. By stimulating vascular growth, tumours get connected to the circulatory system, receive nutrients and open a way to colonize distant organs. Tumour-induced vascular networks become unstable in the absence of tumour angiogenic factors (TAFs). They may undergo alternating stages of growth, regression and regrowth. Following a phase-field methodology, we propose a model of tumour angiogenesis that reproduces the aforementioned features and highlights the importance of vascular regression and regrowth. In contrast with previous theories which focus on vessel remodelling due to the absence of flow, we model an alternative regression mechanism based on the dependency of tumour-induced vascular networks on TAFs. The model captures capillaries at full scale, the plastic dynamics of tumour-induced vessel networks at long time scales, and shows the key role played by filopodia during angiogenesis. The predictions of our model are in agreement with in vivo experiments and may prove useful for the design of antiangiogenic therapies.
Tracking Down the Negative Group Creativity Effects with the Help of an Artificial Intelligence-Like Support System

Creativity has been addressed in a variety of research studies, with interest focusing on both individual and group creativity. In our research, we outline current studies analyzing the negative effects, which can arise when working collectively. Based on the design science research method, we developed an artifact, in order to prevent individuals from being negatively influenced by others. Our prototype implements an artificial intelligence-like system, which tries to act in a human manner and aims to support the user when he or she is working independently. In a field experiment, we evaluated the positive influence and negative effects, i.e. Social loafing and free-riding phenomena, during the idea generation stage. The results show that no social loafing effects appear while interacting with our artificial intelligence support system. However, the benefits of a group process were still experienced by the participants.
Similar looking Gujarati printed character recognition using Locality Preserving Projection and artificial neural networks

An attempt has been made to recognize similar looking printed Gujarati characters. It has been assumed that similar looking character recognition is the main challenge for an OCR to work efficiently. The dimensionality of the character images is drastically and very efficiently reduced and presented by only a few significant coefficients. A new mechanism called ESLPP is introduced for the same. Coefficients extracted using ESLPP which explores the natural grouping, preserves the local structure of the data and finds the essential data manifold structure, are then fed to the Neural Network as features. Six datasets each consisting of two or more similar looking characters are used for experimentation. The recognition accuracy in all the experiments is found to be very satisfactory.
Use of PCR-RFLP on chloroplast DNA to investigate phylogenetic relationships in the genus Phaseolus

Phylogenetic relationships among 74 accessions belonging to six species of Phaseolus are investigated using variation in chloroplast DNA assessed according to a PCR-RFLP protocol. Three fragments of chloroplast DNA are amplified using universal primers, and then digested with 10 restriction enzymes. Thirty-six haplotypes are identified on the basis of the polymorphism in fragment number and size. Three main phylogenetic groups, strongly supported through bootstrap analysis, are identified: (1) accessions from Phaseolus lunatus and Phaseolus xolocotzii; (2) accessions from Phaseolus glabellus; (3) accessions from Phaseolus vulgaris, Phaseolus polyanthus and Phaseolus coccineus. Within the third group, accessions of Phaseolus coccineus are scattered along the phylogenetic tree, which provides some evidence that coccineus accessions are paraphyletic with respect to Phaseolus vulgaris and Phaseolus polyanthus. An analysis of molecular variance applied on four species show that they are significantly differentiated with 79% of molecular variance among species and 21% within species. The results agree with previous investigations on chloroplast DNA variation in the genus Phaseolus, and suggest that PCRRFLP methods, which are technically less labour-intensive than previous methods, are of great value for phylogenetic investigations at the generic level.
Towards real-time middleware for vehicular ad hoc networks

Applications of inter-vehicle and vehicle-to-roadside communication that make use of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) will often require reliable communication that provides guaranteed real-time message propagation. This paper describes an event-based middleware, called RT-STEAM. Unlike other event systems, RT-STEAM does not rely on a centralized event broker or look-up service while still supporting event channels providing hard real-time event delivery. RT-STEAM event filtering can be based on subject, content and/or proximity. To guarantee real-time communication, we exploit proximity-based event propagation to guarantee real-time constraints within the defined proximities only. The proximity within which real-time guarantees are available is adapted to maintain time bounds while allowing changes to membership and topology, typical of VANETs. This Space-Elastic Model of real-time communication is the first to directly address adaptation in the space domain to guarantee real-time constraints.
Modeling of Plasma Flow Around SMART-1 Spacecraft

SMART-1 is the first European spacecraft that uses electric propulsion as the main propulsion system. The thruster characteristics and plasma measurements performed during SMART-1 mission lay a good foundation for understanding spacecraft/plasma interactions. This paper discusses the applications and modifications of spacecraft plasma interaction system software, which originally was developed to simulate an interaction of the space plasma with the spacecraft-surface materials and to compute a plasma-induced charging. The particle-in-cell and Monte Carlo collision (PIC-MCC) method and a simplified and fast approach that tracks only slow ion motion are implemented to model the plasma flow around the spacecraft with electric propulsion. The simplified approach consists of a consecutive application of a direct simulation MC (DSMC)-based software for neutral flow, axisymmetric PIC-MCC for plume flow, and three-dimensional (3-D) PIC software for plasma flow around the spacecraft. Three-dimensional computations are performed to analyze the effects of single- and double-charged Xenon ions, constant and spatially variable electron temperature, an application of quasi-neutral assumption or Poisson solver, and low Earth orbit environment on plasma flow around SMART-1. It was shown that a spatially variable electron temperature has the most significant effect on the plasma-flow properties
Production , Manufacturing and Logistics Sample size determination for production yield estimation with multiple independent process characteristics

Capability measure for processes yield with single characteristic has been investigated extensively, but is still comparatively neglected for processes with multiple characteristics. Wu and Pearn [Wu, C.W. , Pearn, W.L. , 2005. Measuring manufacturing capability for couplers and wavelength division multiplexers (WDM). International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 25(5/6), 533–541] proposed a capability index for multiple characteristics called CPU , which provides an exact measure on process yield for multiple characteristics with each characteristic normally distributed. However, the exact sampling distribution of CPU (multiple characteristics) is analytically intractable. In this paper, we apply the bootstrap method for calculating the lower confidence bounds of the index CPU , and determine the sample size for a specified estimation accuracy. In order to obtain a desired estimation quality assurance, the sample size determination is essential as it provides the accuracy of the lower bound obtained from the bootstrap method. For convenience of applications, we tabulate the sample size required for various designated accuracy for the engineers/practitioners to use. A real-world example from manufacturing process with multiple characteristics is investigated to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach. 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Towards an Abstraction Layer for Scientific Services

This paper presents a platform that facilitates building scientific services on top. We describe the problems in building such services and derive a general-purpose, extensible layer for accessing any resource that has a URI and is accessible on the Web. The platform, and more in general the classes of systems that have this functionality, is referred to as Resource Space Management System and is the (scientific) resource analogous of a data space management system. In this paper we describe the model and conceptual architecture of the platform, discuss its benefits and outline the research plan for its realization.
The Efficiency and Evolution of R&D Networks

This work introduces a new model to investigate the efficiencyand evolution of networks of firms exchanging knowledge in R&D partnerships. We first examine the efficiency of a given network structure in terms of the maximization of total profits in the industry. We show that the efficient network structure depends on the marginal cost of collaboration. When the marginal cost is low, the complete graph is efficient. However, a high marginal costimplies that the efficient network is sparser and has a core-periphery structure. Next, we examine the evolution of the network structure when the decision on collaborating partners is decentralized. We show the existence of multiple equilibrium structures which are in general inefficient. This is due to (i) the path dependent character of the partner selection process, (ii) the presence of knowledge externalities and (iii) the presence of severance costs involved in link deletion. Finally, we study the properties of the emerging equilibrium networks and we show that they are coherent with the stylized facts of R&D networks.
A novel hybrid compressed sensing image reconstrcution method

In this paper, a hybrid approach of image reconstruction from highly incomplete data is introduced. The method is a weighted recursive filtering procedure. At each iteration, random noise is first injected in the unknown portion of the spectrum, and then a reweighted denoising filter consisting of Block Matching 3D (BM3D) filter and multiscale L0-continuation filter is exploited to attenuate the noise in the image domain and reveal new features and details, finally those new features are projected onto the unknown portion of the spectrum to update the K-space data. The proposed method avoids local solutions and recovers the features and details of the image efficiently by utilizing advantages of both filters. The experimental results on both simulated and real images consistently demonstrate that the proposed approach can efficiently reconstruct the image with high image quality.
Two-month-old infants match phonetic information in lips and voice

Infants aged 4.5 months are able to match phonetic information in the face and voice (Kuhl & Meltzoff, 1982; Patterson & Werker, 1999); however, the ontogeny of this remarkable ability is not understood. In the present study, we address this question by testing substantially younger infants at 2 months of age. Like the 4.5-month-olds in past studies, the 2-month-old infants tested in the current study showed evidence of matching vowel information in face and voice. The effect was observed in overall looking time, number of infants who looked longer at the match, and longest look to the match versus mismatch. Furthermore, there were no differences based on male or female stimuli and no preferences for the match when it was on the right or left side. These results show that there is robust evidence for phonetic matching at a much younger age than previously known and support arguments for either some kind of privileged processing or particularly rapid learning of phonetic information.
Association between genotype and drug resistance profiles of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains circulating in China in a national drug resistance survey

We describe the population structure of a representative collection of 3,133 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates, collected within the framework of a national resistance survey from 2007 in China. Genotyping data indicate that the epidemic strains in China can be divided into seven major complexes, of which 92% belonged to the East Asian (mainly Beijing strains) or the Euro-American lineage. The epidemic Beijing strains in China are closely related to the Beijing B0/W148 strain earlier described in Russia and a large cluster of these strains has spread national wide. The density of Beijing strains is high in the whole of China (average 70%), but the highest prevalence was found North of the Yellow river. The Euro-American lineage consists of three sublineages (sublineage_1, 2, and 3) and is more prevalent in the South. Beijing lineage showed the highest cluster rate of 48% and a significantly higher level of resistance to rifampicin (14%, p<0.001), ethambutol (9%, p = 0.001), and ofloxacin (5%, p = 0.011). Within the Euro-American Lineage, sublineage_3 revealed the highest cluster rate (28%) and presented a significantly elevated level of resistance to streptomycin (44%, p<0.001). Our findings suggest that standardised treatment in this region may have contributed to the successful spread of certain strains: sublineage_3 in the Euro-American lineage may have thrived when streptomycin was used without rifampicin for treatment, while later under DOTS based treatment, in which rifampicin plays a key role, Beijing lineage appears to be spreading.
Cell-based layout techniques supporting gate-level voltage scaling for low power

Gate-level voltage scaling is an approach that allows different supply voltages for different gates in order to achieve power reduction. Previous research focused on determining the voltage level for each gate and ascertaining the power saving capability of the approach via logic-level power estimation. In this correspondence, we present cell-based layout techniques that make the approach feasible. We first propose a new block layout style and a placement strategy to support the voltage scaling with conventional standard cell libraries. Then, we propose a new cell layout style with built-in multiple supply rails so that gate-level voltage scaling can be immediately embedded in a typical cell-based design flow. Experimental results show that proposed techniques maintain good power benefit while introducing moderate layout overhead.
Application-Oriented Performance Characterization of the Ionic Polymer Transducers (IPTs). Ioonpolümeeridest täiturite võimekuse karakteriseerimine rakendusteks

145 KOKKUVÕTE. 149 APPENDIX A: Control of an inverted pendulum using an ionic polymermetal composite actuator . 153 APPENDIX B: Feedback control of a coupled IPMC (ionic polymer-metal composite) sensor-actuator . 161 APPENDIX C: An integrated electroactive polymer sensor–actuator: design, model-based control, and performance characterization . 171 APPENDIX D: Low cost anatomically realistic renal biopsy phantoms for interventional radiology trainees . 189 CURRICULUM VITAE . 199 ELULOOKIRJELDUS . 200
The Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Motor Recovery after Stroke: A Critical Review of Its Measurement Properties

Measurement of recovery after stroke is becoming increasingly important with the advent of new treatment options under investigation in stroke rehabilitation research. The Fugl-Meyer scale was developed as the first quantitative evaluative instrument for measuring sensorimotor stroke recovery, based on Twitchell and Brunnstrom’s concept of sequential stages of motor return in the hemiplegic stroke patient. The Fugl-Meyer is a well-designed, feasible and efficient clinical examination method that has been tested widely in the stroke population. Its primary value is the 100-point motor domain, which has received the most extensive evaluation. Excellent interrater and intrarater reliability and construct validity have been demonstrated, and preliminary evidence suggests that the Fugl-Meyer assessment is responsive to change. Limitations of the motor domain include a ceiling effect, omission of some potentially relevant items, and weighting of the arm more than the leg. Further study should test performance of this scale in specific subgroups of stroke patients and better define its criterion validity, sensitivity to change, and minimal clinically important difference. Based on the available evidence, the Fugl-Meyer motor scale is recommended highly as a clinical and research tool for evaluating changes in motor impairment following stroke.
Construction of Regular and Irregular LDPC Codes: Geometry Decomposition and Masking

Two algebraic methods for systematic construction of structured regular and irregular low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes with girth of at least six and good minimum distances are presented. These two methods are based on geometry decomposition and a masking technique. Numerical results show that the codes constructed by these methods perform close to the Shannon limit and as well as random-like LDPC codes. Furthermore, they have low error floors and their iterative decoding converges very fast. The masking technique greatly simplifies the random-like construction of irregular LDPC codes designed on the basis of the degree distributions of their code graphs
Model and prediction of stress relaxation of polyurethane fiber

In this study, the effect of small strain (less than 10%) on hydrogen bond (H-bond) and crystallinity of dry-spun polyurethane fiber was investigated with fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffractometer, respectively. The results showed that the H-bond of hard segments hardly broke and its degree of crystallinity scarcely varied below strain of 10%. The fiber stress relaxation behavior at 25 °C under small strain was researched using dynamic mechanical analyzer. The stress relaxation modulus constitutive equation was obtained by transforming the non-linear relationship between stress and time into the linear relationship between stress and strain. The stress relaxation modulus master curve at 25 °C was established in terms of short-term stress relaxation tests at elevated temperatures (35 °C, 45 °C, 65 °C and 75 °C) according to time-temperature superposition principle (TTS) to predict long-term behavior within 353 year.
Semi-join computation on distributed file systems using map-reduce-merge model

Semi-join is the most used technique to optimize the treatment of complex relational queries on distributed architectures. However, the overhead related to semi-join computation can be very high due to data skew and to the high cost of communication in distributed architectures. Internet search engines needs to process vast amounts of raw data every day. Hence, systems that manage such data should assure scalability, reliability and availability issues with reasonable query processing time. Hadoop and Google's File System are examples of such systems. In this paper, we present a new algorithm based on Map-Reduce-Merge model and distributed histograms for processing semi-join operations on such systems. A cost analysis of this algorithm shows that our approach is insensitive to data skew while reducing communication and disk Input/Output costs to a minimum.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Swift XRT Data. II. Diverse Physical Origins of the Shallow Decay Segment

The origin of the shallow decay segment in Swift XRT light curves remains a puzzle. We analyze the properties of this segment with a sample of 53 long Swift GRBs detected before 2007 February. We show that the distributions of the sample's characteristics are lognormal or normal, and its isotropic X-ray energy (Eiso,X) is linearly correlated with the prompt gamma-ray energy but with a steeper photon spectrum, aside from some X-ray flashes. No significant spectral evolution is observed from this phase to the following phase, and the latter is usually consistent with external-shock models, implying that the shallow decay is also of external-shock origin, likely a refreshed external shock. Within the refreshed-shock model, the data are generally consistent with a roughly constant injection luminosity up to the end of this phase, tb. A positive correlation between Eiso,X and tb also favors this scenario. Among the 13 bursts that have well-sampled optical light curves, six have an optical break around tb and the breaks are consistent with being achromatic. However, the other seven either do not show an optical break or have a break at an epoch different from tb. This raises a concern for the energy injection scenario, suggesting that the optical and X-ray emission may not be the same component, at least for some bursts. There are four significant outliers in the sample, GRBs 060413, 060522, 060607A, and 070110. The shallow decay phase in these bursts is immediately followed by a very steep decay after tb, which is inconsistent with any external-shock model. The optical data for these bursts evolve independently from the X-ray data. These X-ray plateaus likely have an internal origin and demand continuous operation of a long-term central engine. We conclude that the observed shallow decay phase likely has diverse physical origins.