Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of leaf hydraulic conductance with water status: quantification and analysis of species differences under steady state

Leaf hydraulic conductance (Kleaf) is a major determinant of photosynthetic rate in well-watered and drought-stressed plants. Previous work assessed the decline of Kleaf with decreasing leaf water potential (Ψleaf), most typically using rehydration kinetics methods, and found that species varied in the shape of their vulnerability curve, and that hydraulic vulnerability correlated with other leaf functional traits and with drought sensitivity. These findings were tested and extended, using a new steady-state evaporative flux method under high irradiance, and the function for the vulnerability curve of each species was determined individually using maximum likelihood for 10 species varying strongly in drought tolerance. Additionally, the ability of excised leaves to recover in Kleaf with rehydration was assessed, and a new theoretical framework was developed to estimate how rehydration of measured leaves may affect estimation of hydraulic parameters. As hypothesized, species differed in their vulnerability function. Drought-tolerant species showed shallow linear declines and more negative Ψleaf at 80% loss of Kleaf (P80), whereas drought-sensitive species showed steeper, non-linear declines, and less negative P80. Across species, the maximum Kleaf was independent of hydraulic vulnerability. Recovery of Kleaf after 1 h rehydration of leaves dehydrated below their turgor loss point occurred only for four of 10 species. Across species without recovery, a more negative P80 correlated with the ability to maintain Kleaf through both dehydration and rehydration. These findings indicate that resistance to Kleaf decline is important not only in maintaining open stomata during the onset of drought, but also in enabling sustained function during drought recovery.
BCR-ABL alternative splicing as a common mechanism for imatinib resistance: evidence from molecular dynamics simulations

Rare cases of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) express high levels of alternatively spliced BCR-ABL mRNA with a 35-bp insertion (35INS) between ABL kinase domain exons 8 and 9. This insertion results in a frameshift leading to the addition of 10 residues and truncation of 653 residues due to early termination. Sensitive PCR-based testing showed that 32 of 52 (62%) imatinib-resistant CML patients in chronic phase and 8 of 38 (21%) in accelerated or blast crisis expressed varying levels of the alternatively spliced BCR-ABL mRNA. A three-dimensional structural model of the 35INS ABL kinase domain complexed with imatinib was built using homology modeling, followed by molecular dynamics simulations. Simulation results showed that the new residues cause a significant global conformational change, altering imatinib binding in a way similar to that of the T315I mutation and, therefore, providing resistance to imatinib that depends on the level of expression. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(12):3834–41]
Reconsidering Social Capital : A Latent Class Model Approach

Social capital has proven to be a useful concept, but has been ill-defined and not wellmeasured in the economics literature. We propose a different empirical method for measuring social capital, latent class analysis, based on the idea that social capital is an unobservable multidimensional construct. We explain and demonstrate the construction of latent classes that measure an individual’s social capital using data from the General Social Survey. We then show our proposed method allows meaningfully different conclusions about the accumulation of social capital than those obtained by previous research. Specifically, we present evidence consistent with the hypothesis that higher income influences social capital accumulation because of a higher opportunity cost of time. In addition, we find evidence for complementarities in social capital accumulation within an individual’s peer group.
Upregulation of Nitric Oxide Production in Vascular Endothelial Cells by All-trans Retinoic Acid Through the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway

Background—A natural retinoid all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) contains various beneficial effects on vasculature, including suppression of neointima formation after balloon injury. However, little is known about the effects of ATRA on vascular endothelial function. We therefore studied its role in nitric oxide (NO) production of vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Methods and Results—Human dermal microvascular ECs, human umbilical vein ECs, and SV40-transformed rat lung vascular ECs were incubated with or without ATRA (1 &mgr;mol/L) for 48 hours. Their NO production was determined with the use of a fluorescent NO indicator, diaminofluorescein-2 diacetate. ATRA significantly increased their basal as well as acetylcholine-induced NO production. Treatment with N&ohgr;-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester or carboxy-PTIO suppressed their fluorescence. Increase of NO production was also observed by incubation with retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist Am580. ATRA-induced NO increase was abolished by coincubation with RAR antagonist LE540. Moreover, the NO increase was completely inhibited by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin and LY294002. ATRA as well as Am580 enhanced endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation at Ser-1177 as well as Akt phosphorylation at Ser-473 without changing their protein expression. Overexpression of dominant-negative Akt inhibited the eNOS phosphorylation. Moreover, ATRA increased PI3K activity as well as PI3K catalytic subunit p110β protein expression, which was completely inhibited by LE540 treatment. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses demonstrated that ATRA increased PI3K catalytic subunit p110β mRNA expression without affecting its stability. Finally, ATRA-induced NO increase was observed in COS-1 cells transfected with wild-type eNOS and RARα, but not with mutated eNOS whose Ser-1177 was substituted. Conclusions—ATRA increases NO production by eNOS phosphorylation through RAR-mediated PI3K/Akt pathway activation in vascular ECs and possibly plays beneficial roles in vascular endothelium. Retinoids may therefore be candidates as novel therapeutic agents against vascular disorders with endothelial damage.
A decomposition-based multi-objective Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm for continuous optimization problems

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a heuristic optimization technique that uses previous personal best experience and global best experience to search global optimal solutions. This paper studies the application of PSO techniques to multi-objective optimization using decomposition methods. A new decomposition-based multi-objective PSO algorithm is proposed, called MOPSO/D. It integrates PSO into a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition (MOEA/D). The experimental results demonstrate that MOPSO/D can achieve better performance than a well-known MOEA, NSGA-II with differential evolution (DE), on most of the selected test instances. It shows that MOPSO/D will be a competitive candidate for multi-objective optimization.
Learning the topology of views: from images to objects

Acknowledgments The here presented work is part of the ongoing research efforts by the groups of Prof. von der Malsburg at the Ruhr-University in Bochum and the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. I immensely enjoyed the superb working conditions and the creative atmosphere in both groups. My special thanks go to Prof. von der Malsburg for creating this stimulating environment and for numerous open-ended inspiring discussions, which guided the course of this work. I would also like to thank Dr. Rolf Würtz for his constant help and encouragement and Dr. Marcel Kunze for providing a physicist's point of view and the second report. My thanks also go to all my colleagues in Bochum and Los Angeles for their unconditional cooperation and a never ending exchange of ideas and resources.
Impact of betablockers on general and local outcome in patients hospitalized for lower extremity peripheral artery disease

Abstract Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) is one manifestation of atherosclerosis. Patients with PAD have an increased rate of mortality due to concurrent coronary artery disease and hypertension. Betablockers (BB) may, therefore, be prescribed, especially in case of heart failure. However, BB safety in PAD is controversial, because of presumed peripheral hemodynamic consequences of BB that could lead to worsening of symptoms in patients with PAD. In this context, we aimed to determine the impact of BB on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and amputation rate at 1 year after hospitalization for PAD from the COPART Registry population. This is a prospective multicenter observational study collecting data from consecutive patients hospitalized for PAD in vascular medicine departments of 4 academic hospitals in France. Patients with, either claudication, critical limb ischemia or acute lower limb ischemia related to a documented PAD were included. We compared the outcomes of patients with BB versus those without BB in their prescription list at hospital discharge. The mean age of the study population was 70.9 years, predominantly composed of males (71%). Among the 1267 patients at admission, 28% were treated by BB for hypertension, prior myocardial infarction or heart failure. During their hospital stay, 40% underwent revascularization (including bypass surgery 29% and angioplasty 74%), 17% required an amputation, and 5% died. In a multivariate analysis, only prior myocardial infarction was found associated with BB prescription with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.11, P < 0.001. Conversely, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or PAD with ulcer impeded BB prescription (OR: 0.57 and 0.64, P = 0.007; P = 0.001, respectively). One-year overall mortality of patients with BB did not differ from those without (23% vs. 23%, P = 0.95). The 1-year amputation rate did not differ either (4% vs. 6%, P = 0.14). Patients hospitalized for PAD with a BB in their prescription did not worsen their outcome at 1 year compared to patients without BB. Based on these safety data, prospective study could be conducted to assess the effect of BB on long-term mortality and amputation rate in patients with mild, moderate, and severe PAD.
Representative selection for big data via sparse graph and geodesic Grassmann manifold distance

This paper addresses the problem of identifying a very small subset of data points that belong to a significantly larger massive dataset (i.e., Big Data). The small number of selected data points must adequately represent and faithfully characterize the massive Big Data. Such identification process is known as representative selection [19]. We propose a novel representative selection framework by generating an ℓ1 norm sparse graph for a given Big-Data dataset The Big Data is partitioned recursively into clusters using a spectral clustering algorithm on the generated sparse graph. We consider each cluster as one point in a Grassmann manifold, and measure the geodesic distance among these points. The distances are further analyzed using a min-max algorithm [1] to extract an optimal subset of clusters. Finally, by considering a sparse subgraph of each selected cluster, we detect a representative using principal component centrality [11]. We refer to the proposed representative selection framework as a Sparse Graph and Grassmann Manifold (SGGM) based approach. To validate the proposed SGGM framework, we apply it onto the problem of video summarization where only few video frames, known as key frames, are selected among a much longer video sequence. A comparison of the results obtained by the proposed algorithm with the ground truth, which is agreed by multiple human judges, and with some state-of-the-art methods clearly indicates the viability of the SGGM framework.
Achieving high memory performance from heterogeneous architectures with the SARC programming model

Current heterogeneous multicore architectures, including the Cell/B.E. , GPUs, and future developments, like Larrabee, require enormous programming efforts to efficiently run current parallel applications, achieving high performance. In this paper, we want to present the results we obtain from the coding with the SARC Programming Model, of two benchmarks, matrix multiply and conjugate gradient (NAS CG), with respect memory bandwidth. We show some sample loops annotated and the experience that we got trying to have our system executing them efficienly. Results indicate that the programming model is able to achieve up to 85% of the peak memory bandwidth on the Cell/B.E. processor.
The Binary Frequency Among Carbon-enhanced, s-Process-rich, Metal-poor Stars

We discuss radial velocities for a sample of carbon-enhanced, s-process-rich, very metal-poor (CEMP-s) stars, analyzed with high-resolution spectroscopy obtained over multiple epochs. We find that ~68% of the stars in the sample show evidence of radial velocity variations. The expected detection fraction for these stars, adopting the measured binary fraction in the field (~60%) and assuming that they share the same period and eccentricity distribution, is ~22%. Even if one assumes that the true binary fraction of these stars is 100%, the expected detection percentage is ~36%. These values indicate that the binary fraction among CEMP-s stars is higher than the field binary fraction, suggesting that all of these objects are in double (or multiple) systems. The fact that the observed frequency of velocity variation exceeds the expected detection fraction in the case of an assumed binary fraction of 100% is likely due to a more restricted distribution of orbital periods for these objects, as compared to normal field binaries. Our results indicate that CEMP-s stars are the metal-poor analogs of classical CH stars.
IL-7 Receptor Signals Inhibit Expression of Transcription Factors TCF-1, LEF-1, and RORγt

Intrathymic T cell development depends on signals transduced by both T cell receptor and cytokine receptors. Early CD4−CD8− (double negative) thymocytes require interleukin (IL)-7 receptor (IL-7R) signals for survival and proliferation, but IL-7R signals are normally extinguished by the immature single positive (ISP) stage of thymocyte development. We now demonstrate that IL-7R signals inhibit expression of transcription factors TCF-1, LEF-1, and RORγt that are required for the ISP to double positive (DP) transition in the thymus. In addition, we demonstrate that IL-7R signals also inhibit TCF-1 and LEF-1 expression in mature peripheral T cells. Thus, the present work has identified several important downstream target genes of IL-7R signaling in T cells and thymocytes that provide a molecular mechanism for the inhibitory influence of IL-7R signaling on DP thymocyte development. We conclude that IL-7R signals down-regulate transcription factors required for the ISP to DP transition and so must be terminated by the ISP stage of thymocyte development.
Register binding for DSP code containing predicated execution

Predicated execution is an efficient mechanism to avoid conditional constructs in application programs. In this paper we describe how an existing method for register binding can be extended to support predicated execution. The method exploits the combination of register constraints, resource and timing constraints and models the overlap of value lifetimes in a conflict graph. In our extension, mutually exclusive values are identified and are used for reconstructing the conflict graph. Register binding for predicated execution in case of software pipelining is also addressed in this paper. Experiments in the Facts environment show that the register pressure is greatly reduced with this technique. Keywords— high level synthesis; scheduling; register binding; predicated execution
Exploring the Utility of a Simple Model of Writing

Are speaking and writing very much alike, or significantly different, and how do spoken language skills relate to writing? These are important questions, with implications in both theoretical and practical domains. However, notwithstanding a modest, but growing body of research, the nature of the relationship between spoken and written language continues to remain somewhat opaque at this point in time. The aim of this thesis was to explore the relationship between spoken and written language in a group of Year 5 children (aged 9 -10) within two UK primary schools. The investigation was framed by an alternative construction of a Simple Model of Writing closely mirroring the structure of the model used to represent the Simple View of Reading (SVR). In the proposed model, variability in written language skills is seen to be substantially predicted by spoken language and transcription skills. Seventy-four Year five students, aged nine to ten, attending two primary schools in the South of England kindly provided samples of their spoken language, written language, and transcription skills (spelling and handwriting). The data was analysed using a range of statistical measures designed to identify relationships between variables, with a primary focus on the relationship between spoken and written language. Analysis of the data confirmed the theoretical premise of the model, but suggested that, at this point in their education, spelling had a greater effect than spoken language skills on writing quality.
Attending to Pitch Information Inhibits Processing of Pitch Information: The Curious Case of Amusia

In normal listeners, the tonal rules of music guide musical expectancy. In a minority of individuals, known as amusics, the processing of tonality is disordered, which results in severe musical deficits. It has been shown that the tonal rules of music are neurally encoded, but not consciously available in amusics. Previous neurophysiological studies have not explicitly controlled the level of attention in tasks where participants ignored the tonal structure of the stimuli. Here, we test whether access to tonal knowledge can be demonstrated in congenital amusia when attention is controlled. Electric brain responses were recorded while asking participants to detect an individually adjusted near-threshold click in a melody. In half the melodies, a note was inserted that violated the tonal rules of music. In a second task, participants were presented with the same melodies but were required to detect the tonal deviation. Both tasks required sustained attention, thus conscious access to the rules of tonality was manipulated. In the click-detection task, the pitch deviants evoked an early right anterior negativity (ERAN) in both groups. In the pitch-detection task, the pitch deviants evoked an ERAN and P600 in controls but not in amusics. These results indicate that pitch regularities are represented in the cortex of amusics, but are not consciously available. Moreover, performing a pitch-judgment task eliminated the ERAN in amusics, suggesting that attending to pitch information interferes with perception of pitch. We propose that an impaired top-down frontotemporal projection is responsible for this disorder.
Vision and ToF-based driving assistance for a personal transporter

Personalized localization, navigation and navigation assistance are key issues for almost all aspects of future mobility. We use therefore the SegIT transporter, a new mobile platform based on a Segway Personal Transporter. It is equipped with an onboard video, time-of-flight image and navigation data processing system providing safety and comfort assistance during indoor and outdoor usage. The SegIT transporter is intended as a transportation and assistance platform. It can assist users visiting exhibitions, or during their shopping. In this work we present an approach to video image stabilization on the SegIT transporter, that can estimate and compensate global motion in the image sequence. Furthermore we present a driving assistance system determining obstacles and drivable surfaces.
Validasi Struktur Internal Alat Ukur Refleksi Diri Adaptif melalui CFA

Adaptive self reflection could be done if people could react positively when analyze negative experienced by reflecting emotions, allowing theself to reconstruct the feelings and meaning of the experience rather than recounting what has happened and what is perceived or avoiding it (self-distancing). The purpose of this study is to developed adaptive self reflection questionnaire by validating internal structure some of scales that have the same relation with adaptive self reflection construct. This study used a quantitative approach with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) method involving 100 respondents in the trial and 306 respondents in the next test. The Adaptive self reflection questionnaire that produced in this study consisted of 15 items that measure three dimensions, namely theemotional reactivity, thought content, and avoidance. The Adaptive self reflection questionnaire proved to be valid and reliable (CR = 0.80). The test results proved that the measuring adaptive self reflection questionnaire meet the unidimensionality assumption. Abstrak : Seseorang mencapai refleksi diri adaptif apabila dapat bereaksi secara positif ketika mengingat peristiwa negatif yang pernah dialaminya dengan melakukan refleksi diri, membiarkan diri merekonstruksi perasaan dan makna dari pengalaman daripada mengulang apa yang telah terjadi dan apa yang dirasakan secara nyata atau melakukan penghindaran (self-distancing). Tujuan penelitian ini merancang alat ukur refleksi diri adaptif dengan cara memvalidasi struktur internal beberapa alat ukur sejenis yang berkaitan dengan refleksi diri dengan menggunakan metode Confirmatory Faktor Analysis (CFA) yang melibatkan 100 responden pada tahap uji coba dan 306 responden pada pengujian berikutnya. Alat ukur refleksi diri adaptif yang dihasilkan dari penelitian ini terdiri dari 15 aitem yang mengukur tiga dimensi yaitu reaksi emosi, konten pikiran dan penghindaran. Alat ukur refleksi diri adaptif terbukti valid dan reliable (CR = 0.80). Hasil pengujian membuktikan bahwa alat ukur refleksi diri adaptif ini memenuhi asumsi unidimensionalitas.
A PCIe DMA engine to support the virtualization of 40 Gbps FPGA-accelerated network appliances

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) allows creating specialized network appliances out of general-purpose computing equipment (servers, storage, and switches). In this paper we present a PCIe DMA engine that allows boosting the performance of virtual network appliances by using FPGA accelerators. Two key technologies are demonstrated, SR-IOV and PCI Passthrough. Using these two technologies, a single FPGA board can accelerate several virtual software appliances. The final goal is, in an NFV scenario, to substitute conventional Ethernet NICs by networking FPGA boards (such as NetFPGA SUME). The advantage of this approach is that FPGAs can very efficiently implement many networking tasks, thus boosting the performance of virtual networking appliances. The SR-IOV capable PCIe DMA engine presented in this work, as well as its associated driver, are key elements in achieving this goal of using FPGA networking boards instead of conventional NICs. Both DMA engine and driver are open source, and target the Xilinx 7-Series and UltraScale PCIe Gen3 endpoint. The design has been tested on a NetFPGA SUME board, offering transfer rates reaching 50 Gb/s for bulk transmissions. By taking advantage of SR-IOV and PCI Passthrough technologies, our DMA engine provides transfers rate well above 40 Gb/s for data transmissions from the FPGA to a virtual machine. We have also identified the bottlenecks in the use of virtualized FPGA accelerators caused by reductions in the maximum read request size and maximum payload PCIe parameters. Finally, the DMA engine presented in this paper is a very compact design, using just 2% of a Xilinx Virtex-7 XC7VX690T device.