Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative genomics of the mimicry switch in Papilio dardanus

The African Mocker Swallowtail, Papilio dardanus, is a textbook example in evolutionary genetics. Classical breeding experiments have shown that wing pattern variation in this polymorphic Batesian mimic is determined by the polyallelic H locus that controls a set of distinct mimetic phenotypes. Using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) sequencing, recombination analyses and comparative genomics, we show that H co-segregates with an interval of less than 500 kb that is collinear with two other Lepidoptera genomes and contains 24 genes, including the transcription factor genes engrailed (en) and invected (inv). H is located in a region of conserved gene order, which argues against any role for genomic translocations in the evolution of a hypothesized multi-gene mimicry locus. Natural populations of P. dardanus show significant associations of specific morphs with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), centred on en. In addition, SNP variation in the H region reveals evidence of non-neutral molecular evolution in the en gene alone. We find evidence for a duplication potentially driving physical constraints on recombination in the lamborni morph. Absence of perfect linkage disequilibrium between different genes in the other morphs suggests that H is limited to nucleotide positions in the regulatory and coding regions of en. Our results therefore support the hypothesis that a single gene underlies wing pattern variation in P. dardanus.
Fast Coupled Sequence Labeling on Heterogeneous Annotations via Context-aware Pruning

The recently proposed coupled sequence labeling is shown to be able to effectively exploit multiple labeled data with heterogeneous annotations but suffer from severe inefficiency problem due to the large bundled tag space (Li et al., 2015). In their case study of part-of-speech (POS) tagging, Li et al. (2015) manually design context-free tag-to-tag mapping rules with a lot of effort to reduce the tag space. This paper proposes a context-aware pruning approach that performs token-wise constraints on the tag space based on contextual evidences, making the coupled approach efficient enough to be applied to the more complex task of joint word segmentation (WS) and POS tagging for the first time. Experiments show that using the large-scale People Daily as auxiliary heterogeneous data, the coupled approach can improve F-score by 95 . 55 − 94 . 88 = 0 . 67 % on WS, and by 90 . 58 − 89 . 49 = 1 . 09 % on joint WS&POS on Penn Chinese Treebank. All codes are released at http://hlt.suda. edu.cn/~zhli .
Secure mobile ad−hoc interactions: reasoning about out−of−band (oob) channels

Previous research has proposed Human-Interactive Security Protocols (HISP) for bootstrapping security in ad hoc mobile device interactions. These protocols rely on low bandwidth Out-Of-Band (OOB) channels—that are suitable for transferring limited information (e.g. fingerprints of public keys) but unsuitable for transmitting cryptographic keys due to bandwidth constraints—and high bandwidth channels such as Bluetooth and WiFi. In this paper, we argue that factors that are crucial to designing OOB channels that are both usable and secure have not been understood and analysed, and propose a framework for reasoning about them in order to design OOB channels that suit human and contextual needs to achieve usable and acceptable effective security.
Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology A Shrinkage Approach to Large-Scale Covariance Matrix Estimation and Implications for Functional Genomics

Inferring large-scale covariance matrices from sparse genomic data is an ubiquitous problem in bioinformatics. Clearly, the widely used standard covariance and correlation estimators are illsuited for this purpose. As statistically efficient and computationally fast alternative we propose a novel shrinkage covariance estimator that exploits the Ledoit-Wolf (2003) lemma for analytic calculation of the optimal shrinkage intensity. Subsequently, we apply this improved covariance estimator (which has guaranteed minimum mean squared error, is well-conditioned, and is always positive definite even for small sample sizes) to the problem of inferring large-scale gene association networks. We show that it performs very favorably compared to competing approaches both in simulations as well as in application to real expression data.
The Effect of Satisfaction, Trust and Switching Barriers Service Provider on Customer Loyalty (Mobile Phone Users of Iran Cell Campany In Iran)

Because the cost of attracting new customers is much higher than the cost of retaining old customers, keeping customers loyal is a crucial issue for service firms. This research explores how relationship quality and switching barriers influence customer loyalty. Relationship quality consists of two aspects: satisfaction and trust. To test the proposed research model, a survey research methodology was used. Paper survey was distributed to mobile phone users in Science and Research Branch Islamic Azad University in Iran. A total of 380 valid questionnaires were returned. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses. Satisfaction, trust and switching barriers have positive effects on loyalty. In term of antecedents, it was found that playfulness and service quality impact satisfaction while service quality and intimacy affect trust. From a managerial perspective, this research suggests that practitioner should not only keep improving service quality, but also provide playfulness to ensure customer satisfaction.
Wolverine: Traffic and road condition estimation using smartphone sensors

Monitoring road and traffic conditions in a city is a problem widely studied. Several methods have been proposed towards addressing this problem. Several proposed techniques require dedicated hardware such as GPS devices and accelerometers in vehicles [7][15][8] or cameras on roadside and near traffic signals [13]. All such methods are expensive in terms of monetary cost and human effort required. We propose Wolverine - a non-intrusive method that uses sensors present on smartphones. We extend a prior study [12] to improve the algorithm based on using accelerometer, GPS and magnetometer sensor readings for traffic and road conditions detection. We are specifically interested in identifying braking events - frequent braking indicates congested traffic conditions - and bumps on the roads to characterize the type of road. We evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method based on experiments conducted on the roads in Mumbai, with promising results.
Excellent Cell Compatibility in Time Controlled Silk Fibroin Hydrogels

Various methods were developed to prepare hydrogels including photo-cross-linking, chemical cross-linking, enzymatic cross-linking, pH or temperature-induced gelation, ionic interaction, and hydrophobic interactions. Whereas silk fibroin gelation time was difficult to control by physical methods, the cross-linkers used in chemical technique were likely to reduce the cell biocompatibility. Sodium N-Lauroyl Sarcosinate (SNS), an amino acid-based surfactant, came into accelerate silk fibroin to form silk hydrogel. To monitor the gelation process and determine the gelation time, turbidity changes during gelation were measured by Synergy HT. Cylindrical gels have been measured with universal material experiment machine and KES for mechanical properties. Fibroblast (L929) cells were seeded on the surface of hydrogels to investigate the cell compatibility. The results show that the SNS/SF gelation time ranges from 20 min to 120 min, which is affected by environment temperature, the final concentrations of SF and SNS. Compared with pure silk fibroin hydrogels, the compression strength of SNS/SF gel is much stronger. SNS/SF gel has excellent compression-recovery performance in KES test as well. A logarithmic stable cell growth appears on the surface of SNS/SF hydrogels, which indicates that SNS/SF hydrogels have excellent cell compatibility. Therefore, the SNS/SF hydrogels have great potential in tissue repair for surgery.
Confined types in Java

The sharing and transfer of references in object‐oriented languages is difficult to control. Without any constraint, practical experience has shown that even carefully engineered object‐oriented code can be brittle, and subtle security deficiencies can go unnoticed. In this paper, we present inexpensive syntactic constraints that strengthen encapsulation by imposing static restrictions on the spread of references. In particular, we introduce confined types to impose a static scoping discipline on dynamic references and anonymous methods to loosen confinement somewhat to allow code reuse. We have implemented a verifier which performs a modular analysis of Java programs and provides a static guarantee that confinement is respected. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Text detection from natural scene images: towards a system for visually impaired persons

We propose a system that reads the text encountered in natural scenes with the aim to provide assistance to the visually impaired persons. This paper describes the system design and evaluates several character extraction methods. Automatic text recognition from natural images receives a growing attention because of potential applications in image retrieval, robotics and intelligent transport system. Camera-based document analysis becomes a real possibility with the increasing resolution and availability of digital cameras. However, in the case of a blind person, finding the text region is the first important problem that must be addressed, because it cannot be assumed that the acquired image contains only characters. At first, our system tries to find in the image areas with small characters. Then it zooms into the found areas to retake higher resolution images necessary for character recognition. In the present paper, we propose four character-extraction methods based on connected components. We tested the effectiveness of our methods on the ICDAR 2003 Robust Reading Competition data. The performance of the different methods depends on character size. In the data, bigger characters are more prevalent and the most effective extraction method proves to be the sequence: Sobel edge detection, Otsu binarization, connected component extraction and rule-based connected component filtering.
Belt grinding process with force control system for blade of aero-engine

In abrasive belt grinding process for surface of blade, elasticity, deformation and abrasive belt wear are major factors affecting the machining stability, efficiency and quality. In order to improve the grinding process and realize optimal grinding, a new controllable and flexible belt grinding mechanism is designed and assembled in a special computer numerical control grinding machine, accompanied with a constant grinding force control system. Based on the analysis of proportional valve and cylinder system in this grinding mechanism, a mathematic model of normal grinding force is constructed. Afterward, a fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative control strategy is proposed to deal with the uncertainty and nonlinearity of this system. A Simulink model of force control process is developed, and the good performance is achieved according to the simulation result. Finally, several grinding experiments for an aero-engine fan blade are carried out. The measurements show that the proposed grinding process with fuzzy proportional–integral–derivative force controller enhances the machining stability and efficiency considerably. What is more, the machining qualities, such as surface roughness, form accuracy and consistency, are improved significantly. And all the grinding results satisfy the machining requirements in the manufacturing process of blade.
Natural Visual Programming Languages

Children born in an age of knowledge, have access to much more information than we thought. Even without the capacity of reading or writing they understand information and in most cases create new information, build new knowledge. We face a challenge on how to create environments and tools that allow them to develop skills and create new knowledge, specially the ability to program in a natural way, instead of being stuck in the complexity of the environment. Integrated Learning Environment (ILE) have been studied and implemented along the last decades. They have been defined (Correia et al.) as an ecosystem whose components are: learners, learning organizers, a system or environment where learners interact, technological structured resources including learning objects, methods and strategies for teaching and learning and a set of values to be clarified on action. We can consider a Natural Visual Programming Language (NVPL) as an ILE providing at least the following five issues: Stimulus provoking the user to take some meaningful actions; Coaching on what makes sense (or not) on the context of programming; Feedback about all steps; Formalization sets; Generalization. To achieve these goals concepts like the Flow theory (Csikszentmihalyi), Mini-languages (Brusilovsky et al.) and Edutainment (Resnick), should be taken into account. NVLP should allow the users to build computer programs in a natural fluid way and should lead, those who are really interested, to learn the principles, structures and algorithms of programming.
Frequency following imaging of electric fields from resonant superconducting devices using a scanning near-field microwave microscope

We have developed a scanning near-field microwave microscope that operates at cryogenic temperatures. Our system uses an open-ended coaxial probe with a 200 /spl mu/m inner conductor diameter and operates from 77 to 300 K in the 0.01-20 GHz frequency range. In this paper, we present microwave images of the electric field distribution above a Tl/sub 2/Ba/sub 2/CaCu/sub 2/O/sub 8/ microstrip resonator at 77 K, measured at several heights. In addition, we describe the use of a frequency-following circuit to study the influence of the probe on the resonant frequency of the device.
Conjunctival Juvenile Xanthogranuloma in a Preschool Child

Sir: Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a benign dermatologic condition affecting primarily infants and young children. It is a histiocytic proliferative disorder of non-Langerhans cells that usually appears as nodular cutaneous lesions and rarely affects the eye. 1 Some cases of limbal JXG have been described 2 but to
A Small Robot Based on Hybrid Wheel-Track Mechanism

A small guard robot working indoors or outdoors can be used to report various information on its environment to an operator. The guard robot should be small-sized and lightweight to increase its portability. In addition, it should be able to overcome a relatively high obstacle to cope with various situations. To satisfy these requirements, this paper presents a small robot equipped with a novel hybrid wheel and track mechanism that can select wheels or tracks depending on the situation. The robot folds the tracks into the body in the wheel mode and only wheels are active with the tracks immobilized, which results in the fast moving speed. In the track mode, the tracks are extended to keep in contact with the ground. Furthermore, this research proposes the belt length maintenance mechanism by which the belt length is kept constant in either the wheel or track mode. Various experiments demonstrate that the proposed robot can move fast by using wheels on the smooth terrain and overcome obstacles by using tracks on the rough terrain.
Arsenic exposure from drinking water and mortality from cardiovascular disease in Bangladesh: prospective cohort study

Objective To evaluate the association between arsenic exposure and mortality from cardiovascular disease and to assess whether cigarette smoking influences the association. Design Prospective cohort study with arsenic exposure measured in drinking water from wells and urine. Setting General population in Araihazar, Bangladesh. Participants 11 746 men and women who provided urine samples in 2000 and were followed up for an average of 6.6 years. Main outcome measure Death from cardiovascular disease. Results 198 people died from diseases of circulatory system, accounting for 43% of total mortality in the population. The mortality rate for cardiovascular disease was 214.3 per 100 000 person years in people drinking water containing <12.0 µg/L arsenic, compared with 271.1 per 100 000 person years in people drinking water with ≥12.0 µg/L arsenic. There was a dose-response relation between exposure to arsenic in well water assessed at baseline and mortality from ischaemic heart disease and other heart disease; the hazard ratios in increasing quarters of arsenic concentration in well water (0.1-12.0, 12.1-62.0, 62.1-148.0, and 148.1-864.0 µg/L) were 1.00 (reference), 1.22 (0.65 to 2.32), 1.35 (0.71 to 2.57), and 1.92 (1.07 to 3.43) (P=0.0019 for trend), respectively, after adjustment for potential confounders including age, sex, smoking status, educational attainment, body mass index (BMI), and changes in urinary arsenic concentration since baseline. Similar associations were observed when baseline total urinary arsenic was used as the exposure variable and for mortality from ischaemic heart disease specifically. The data indicate a significant synergistic interaction between arsenic exposure and cigarette smoking in mortality from ischaemic heart disease and other heart disease. In particular, the hazard ratio for the joint effect of a moderate level of arsenic exposure (middle third of well arsenic concentration 25.3-114.0 µg/L, mean 63.5 µg/L) and cigarette smoking on mortality from heart disease was greater than the sum of the hazard ratios associated with their individual effect (relative excess risk for interaction 1.56, 0.05 to 3.14; P=0.010). Conclusions Exposure to arsenic in drinking water is adversely associated with mortality from heart disease, especially among smokers.
Extraction of bamboo microfibrils and development of biocomposites based on polyhydroxybutyrate and bamboo microfibrils

This investigation deals with the detailed procedure for the extraction of microfibrils from raw bamboo. The microfibrils obtained from raw bamboo were characterized using scanning electron microscope and the average diameter of the fibrils was found to be 10 μm. These microfibrils were then incorporated into polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) matrix using conventional plastic processing equipments. The impact strength values of the resulting composites indicate that there is an optimum loading of microfibrils in the PHB matrix, beyond which the effect of fibril loading is not significant.
Evaluation of Exothermic Reactions from Bulk-Vitrification Melter Feeds Containing Cellulose

PNNL has demonstrated that cellulose effectively reduces the amount of molten ionic salt during Bulk Vitrification of simulated Hanford Low Level Waste (LLW). To address concerns about the potential reactivity of cellulose-LLW, PNNL used thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, and accelerating rate calorimetry to determine in these preliminary studies that these mixtures will support a self-sustaining reaction if heated to 110°C at adiabatic conditions. Additional testing is recommended.
Carbonate Production by Benthic Communities on Shallow Coralgal Reefs of Abrolhos Bank, Brazil

The abundance of reef builders, non-builders and the calcium carbonate produced by communities established in Calcification Accretion Units (CAUs) were determined in three Abrolhos Bank shallow reefs during the period from 2012 to 2014. In addition, the seawater temperature, the irradiance, and the amount and composition of the sediments were determined. The inner and outer reef arcs were compared. CAUs located on the inner reef shelf were under the influence of terrigenous sediments. On the outer reefs, the sediments were composed primarily of marine biogenic carbonates. The mean carbonate production in shallow reefs of Abrolhos was 579 ± 98 g m-2 y-1. The builder community was dominated by crustose coralline algae, while the non-builder community was dominated by turf. A marine heat wave was detected during the summer of 2013–2014, and the number of consecutive days with a temperature above or below the summer mean was positively correlated with the turf cover increase. The mean carbonate production of the shallow reefs of Abrolhos Bank was greater than the estimated carbonate production measured for artificial structures on several other shallow reefs of the world. The calcimass was higher than the non-calcareous mass, suggesting that the Abrolhos reefs are still in a positive carbonate production balance. Given that marine heat waves produce an increase of turf cover on the shallow reefs of the Abrolhos, a decrease in the cover represented by reef builders and shifting carbonate production are expected in the near future.
MapReduce Framework Optimization via Performance Modeling

MapReduce framework has become the state-of-the-art paradigm for large-scale data processing. In our ongoing work, we attempt to solve the three interrelated problems: how to build an accurate MapReduce performance model, how to use it to automatically detect and optimize slow-running MapReduce jobs, and how to use it to help scheduler arrange job execution sequence. Currently, we mainly study the job execution time model and its training method. We also present several policies to optimize the job configuration and scheduler.
Backpropagation artificial neural network for determination of glucose concentration from near-infrared spectra

This paper proposes Backpropagation Artificial Neural Network algorithm as a calibration technique for prediction of glucose concentration. For the experimental work, simulated blood was formed by mixing only three constituents glucose, triacetin, and Urea in a phosphate buffer solution. Spectra of this solution were obtained from a near-infrared spectrophotometer in the region of 2100nm to 2400 nm and the spectral resolution of 1nm was used to collect the spectra. The improvement in the standard error of prediction and correlation coefficients as compared to Principal Component Regression and Partial Least Square regression techniques demonstrate that Backpropagation Artificial Neural Network algorithm could be used as an alternate calibration technique for non-invasive glucose measurement and thereby could resolve one of the impediments for the translation of non-invasive glucose measurement into clinical practice.
Machine Vision and Applications Automatic Extraction of Roads from Aerial Images Based on Scale Space and Snakes

We propose a new approach for automatic road extraction from aerial imagery with a model and a strategy mainly based on the multi-scale detection of roads in combination with geometry-constrained edge extraction using snakes. A main advantage of our approach is, that it allows for the first time a bridging of shadows and partially occluded areas using the heavily disturbed evidence in the image. Additionally, it has only few parameters to be adjusted. The road network is constructed after extracting crossings with varying shape and topology. We show the feasibility of the approach not only by presenting reasonable results but also by evaluating them quantitatively based on ground truth.