Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Genomic Variants Associated with Scout and Recruit Behavioral Castes in Honey Bees Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Among forager honey bees, scouts seek new resources and return to the colony, enlisting recruits to collect these resources. Differentially expressed genes between these behaviors and genetic variability in scouting phenotypes have been reported. Whole-genome sequencing of 44 Apis mellifera scouts and recruits was undertaken to detect variants and further understand the genetic architecture underlying the behavioral differences between scouts and recruits. The median coverage depth in recruits and scouts was 10.01 and 10.7 X, respectively. Representation of bacterial species among the unmapped reads reflected a more diverse microbiome in scouts than recruits. Overall, 1,412,705 polymorphic positions were analyzed for associations with scouting behavior, and 212 significant (p-value < 0.0001) associations with scouting corresponding to 137 positions were detected. Most frequent putative transcription factor binding sites proximal to significant variants included Broad-complex 4, Broad-complex 1, Hunchback, and CF2-II. Three variants associated with scouting were located within coding regions of ncRNAs including one codon change (LOC102653644) and 2 frameshift indels (LOC102654879 and LOC102655256). Significant variants were also identified on the 5’UTR of membrin, and 3’UTRs of laccase 2 and diacylglycerol kinase theta. The 60 significant variants located within introns corresponded to 39 genes and most of these positions were > 1000 bp apart from each other. A number of these variants were mapped to ncRNA LOC100578102, solute carrier family 12 member 6-like gene, and LOC100576965 (meprin and TRAF-C homology domain containing gene). Functional categories represented among the genes corresponding to significant variants included: neuronal function, exoskeleton, immune response, salivary gland development, and enzymatic food processing. These categories offer a glimpse into the molecular support to the behaviors of scouts and recruits. The level of association between genomic variants and scouting behavior observed in this study may be linked to the honey bee’s genomic plasticity and fluidity of transition between castes.
Electroacupuncture at Zusanli Prevents Severe Scalds-Induced Gut Ischemia and Paralysis by Activating the Cholinergic Pathway

Severe burn injuries may result in gastrointestinal paralysis, and barrier dysfunction due to gut ischemia and lowered vagus excitability. In this study we investigate whether electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) could prevent severe scalds-induced gut ischemia, paralysis, and barrier dysfunction and whether the protective role of EA at ST36 is related to the vagus nerve. 35% burn area rats were divided into six groups: (a) EAN: EA nonchannel acupoints followed by scald injury; (b) EA: EA at ST36 after scald injury; (c) VGX/EA: vagotomy (VGX) before EA at ST36 and scald injury; (d) VGX/EAN: VGX before EAN and scald injury; (e) atropine/EA: applying atropine before scald injury and then EA at ST36; (f) atropine/EAN: applying atropine before scald injury and then EA at nonchannel acupoints. EA at the Zusanli point significantly promoted the intestinal impelling ratio and increased the amount of mucosal blood flow after scald injury. The plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) and intestinal permeability decreased significantly after scald injury in the EA group compared with others. However, EA after atropine injection or cervical vagotomy failed to improve intestinal motility and mucosa blood flow suggesting that the mechanism of EA may be related to the activation of the cholinergic nerve pathway.
A security analysis of automated chinese turing tests

Text-based Captchas have been widely used to deter misuse of services on the Internet. However, many designs have been broken. It is intellectually interesting and practically relevant to look for alternative designs, which are currently a topic of active research. We motivate the study of Chinese Captchas as an interesting alternative design - co-unterintuitively, it is possible to design Chinese Captchas that are universally usable, even to those who have never studied Chinese language. More importantly, we ask a fundamental question: is the segmentation-resistance principle established for Roman-character based Captchas applicable to Chinese based designs? With deep learning techniques, we offer the first evidence that computers do recognize individual Chinese characters well, regardless of distortion levels. This suggests that many real-world Chinese schemes are insecure, in contrast to common beliefs. Our result offers an essential guideline to the design of secure Chinese Captchas, and it is also applicable to Captchas using other large-alphabet languages such as Japanese.
An Area-Efficient 0.13-μm CMOS Multiband WCDMA/HSDPA Receiver

In this paper, a multiband wideband code-division multiple access/high-speed downlink packet access direct-conversion receiver to cover all six Third-Generation Partnership Project bands is implemented in a 0.13-μm CMOS process. To reduce the increase of chip size due to implementation of the multimode multiband RF transceiver integrated circuit, a new integrated inductor structure sharing an inner diameter, a proposed mixed-type dc offset correction circuit, and a stacked structure of metal-insulator-metal and MOS capacitors is proposed. These silicon area reducing techniques can decrease the chip size by up to 30%. The measured full-path receiver performance is a noise figure of >3 dB, third-order intermodulation intercept point of > -17 dBm, and second-order intermodulation intercept point of > +30 dBm for all six bands. Its current consumption, including a frequency synthesizer, is 45 mA at 2.8-V supply voltage.
Surface Electrical Stimulation for Foot Drop: Control Aspects and Walking Performance

Use of electrical stimulation to correct foot drop in hemiplegia was proposed over 40 years ago. Recently, improved control strategies have been developed and implemented in commercially available devices. In this article we review the control methods that have been used and present some results from a multi-center clinical trial. A foot-drop stimulator improves the gait pattern and results in an immediate increase in walking speed. In this sense it acts like an ankle-foot orthosis and this immediate increase will be referred to as an orthotic effect. Prolonged use of a foot drop stimulator over a period of months results in further, large increases in walking speed both with the stimulator on and off. Evidence indicates that a part of this increase results from daily use that strengthens residual cortico-spinal connections. Therefore the improvement over time will be referred to as a therapeutic effect. We found that people with non-progressive and progressive conditions of the central nervous system have an orthotic benefit, as well as a therapeutic up to 3 months of use. In generally non-progressive conditions such as stroke, further therapeutic increases are seen up to at least 11 months of use. In disorders such as multiple sclerosis, the progression of the disease eventually overcomes the early therapeutic effects. In conclusion, many individuals can benefit from commercially available foot-drop stimulators with improved control strategies and cosmetic design.
Magnetically Driven Micromachines Created by Two-Photon Microfabrication and Selective Electroless Magnetite Plating for Lab-on-a-Chip Applications

We propose a novel method to fabricate three-dimensional magnetic microparts, which can be integrated in functional microfluidic networks and lab-on-a-chip devices, by the combination of two-photon microfabrication and selective electroless plating. In our experiments, magnetic microparts could be successfully fabricated by optimizing various experimental conditions of electroless plating. In addition, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) clarified that iron oxide nanoparticles were deposited onto the polymeric microstructure site-selectively. We also fabricated magnetic microrotors which could smoothly rotate using common laboratory equipment. Since such magnetic microparts can be remotely driven with an external magnetic field, our fabrication process can be applied to functional lab-on-a-chip devices for analytical and biological applications.
Robust matching by dynamic space warping for accurate face recognition

The utility of face recognition for multimedia indexing is enhanced by using accurate detection and alignment of salient invariant face features. The face recognition can be performed using template matching or a feature-based approach, but both these methods suffer from occlusion and require an a priori model for extracting information. To avoid these drawbacks, we present a complete scheme for face recognition based on salient feature extraction in challenging conditions, which is performed without an a priori or learned model. These features are used in a matching process that overcomes occlusion effects using the dynamic space warping which aligns each feature in the query image, if possible, with its corresponding feature in the gallery set. Thus, we make face recognition robust to low frequency variations (like the presence of occlusion, etc) as well as to high frequency variations (like expression, gender, etc). A maximum likelihood scheme is used to make the recognition process more precise, as is shown in the experiments.
Critical point and duality in planar lattice models

These lecture notes describe the content of a six-hours course given by the two authors at the 2012 probability summer school in Saint-Petersburg. The goal is to provide a derivation of several critical parameters of classical planar models such as Bernoulli and Fortuin-Kasteleyn percolation as well as the Ising and Potts models.
Efficacy and safety of ezetimibe coadministered with statins: randomised, placebo‐controlled, blinded experience in 2382 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia

We assessed pooled safety and lipid‐regulating efficacy data from four similarly designed trials of ezetimibe coadministered with statins in 2382 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. Patients were randomised to one of the following double‐blind treatments for 12 weeks: placebo; ezetimibe 10 mg; statin; or statin + ezetimibe. Statin doses tested were 10, 20, 40 mg/day (atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin or lovastatin) or 80 mg/day (atorvastatin, simvastatin). Treatment with ezetimibe + statin led to significantly greater reductions in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), total cholesterol, triglycerides, non‐high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (non‐HDL‐C), apolipoprotein B and increases in HDL‐C, compared to statin alone. At each statin dose, treatment with ezetimibe + statin led to a greater LDL‐C reduction compared to the next highest statin monotherapy dose. Ezetimibe + statin had a safety profile similar to statin monotherapy. Coadministration of ezetimibe + statin offers a well‐tolerated, highly efficacious new treatment strategy for patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Dissecting the role of the ARF guanine nucleotide exchange factor GBF1 in Golgi biogenesis and protein trafficking

COPI recruitment to membranes appears to be essential for the biogenesis of the Golgi and for secretory trafficking. Preventing COPI recruitment by expressing inactive forms of the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) or the ARF-activating guanine nucleotide exchange factor GBF1, or by treating cells with brefeldin A (BFA), causes the collapse of the Golgi into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and arrests trafficking of soluble and transmembrane proteins at the ER. Here, we assess COPI function in Golgi biogenesis and protein trafficking by preventing COPI recruitment to membranes by removing GBF1. We report that siRNA-mediated depletion of GBF1 causes COPI dispersal but does not lead to collapse of the Golgi. Instead, it causes extensive tubulation of the cis-Golgi. The Golgi-derived tubules target to peripheral ER-Golgi intermediate compartment (ERGIC) sites and create dynamic continuities between the ERGIC and the cis-Golgi compartment. COPI dispersal in GBF1-depleted cells causes dramatic inhibition of the trafficking of transmembrane proteins. Unexpectedly, soluble proteins continue to be secreted from GBF1-depleted cells. Our findings suggest that a secretory pathway capable of trafficking soluble proteins can be maintained in cells in which COPI recruitment is compromised by GBF1 depletion. However, the trafficking of transmembrane proteins through the existing pathway requires GBF1-mediated ARF activation and COPI recruitment.
Efficient size-independent chromosome delivery from yeast to cultured cell lines

Abstract The delivery of large DNA vectors (>100 000 bp) remains a limiting step in the engineering of mammalian cells and the development of human artificial chromosomes (HACs). Yeast is commonly used to assemble genetic constructs in the megabase size range, and has previously been used to transfer constructs directly into cultured cells. We improved this method to efficiently deliver large (1.1 Mb) synthetic yeast centromeric plasmids (YCps) to cultured cell lines at rates similar to that of 12 kb YCps. Synchronizing cells in mitosis improved the delivery efficiency by 10-fold and a statistical design of experiments approach was employed to boost the vector delivery rate by nearly 300-fold from 1/250 000 to 1/840 cells, and subsequently optimize the delivery process for multiple mammalian, avian, and insect cell lines. We adapted this method to rapidly deliver a 152 kb herpes simplex virus 1 genome cloned in yeast into mammalian cells to produce infectious virus.
More than just fun: a place for games in playful learning / Más que diversión: el lugar de los juegos reglados en el aprendizaje lúdico

Abstract Games play a significant role in childhood, fuelling hours of engagement and social interaction, and probably much learning as well. Board games, card games and outdoor games (such as Tag) first come to mind, but more recently, games have also gone digital. In this piece, we offer a new perspective by placing games within the established construct of ‘playful learning’. We review key elements of playful learning and the two subtypes: free play and guided play. We suggest that games promote learning in ways similar to other playful learning situations. Games involve fun, a sense of curiosity and an inhibition of reality, in active, engaging, meaningful and socially interactive contexts. We argue that games therefore belong alongside free play and guided play to form a trio of playful learning experiences. This perspective adds to a growing understanding of the role of games in supporting children’s learning and development.
Comparison of 13CO line and far-infrared continuum emission as a diagnostic of dust and molecular gas physical conditions -II. The simulations : testing the method

The reliability of modelling the far-infrared continuum to 13 CO J= 1 → 0 spectral line ratios applied to the Orion clouds (see previous paper in the series) on the scales of several parsecs (i.e. ∼7 pc) is tested by applying the models to simulated data. The two-component models are found to give the dust-gas temperature difference, AT, to within 1 or 2 K. However, other parameters like the column density per velocity interval and the gas density can be wrong by an order of magnitude or more. In particular, the density can be systematically underestimated by an order of magnitude or more. The overall mass of the clouds is estimated correctly to within a few per cent. These results may permit us to reliably constrain estimates of the Orion clouds' physical parameters, based on the real observations of the far-infrared continuum and 13 CO J = 1 → 0 spectral line. Nevertheless, other systematics must be treated first. These include the effects of background/foreground subtraction, effects of the H component of the interstellar medium, and others. These will be discussed in a future paper.
Cell Phone Image-Based Plant Disease Classification

Modern communication and sensor technology coupled with powerful pattern recognition algorithms for information extraction and classification allow the development and use of integrated systems to tackle environmental problems. This integration is particularly promising for applications in crop farming, where such systems can help to control growth and improve yields while harmful environmental impacts are minimized. Thus, the vision of sustainable agriculture for anybody, anytime, and anywhere in the world can be put into reach. This chapter reviews and presents approaches to plant disease classification based on cell phone images, a novel way to supply farmers with personalized information and processing recommendations in real time. Several statistical image features and a novel scheme of measuring local textures of leaf spots are introduced. The classification of disease symptoms caused by various fungi or bacteria are evaluated for two important agricultural crop varieties, wheat and sugar beet.
Engineering a Sorted List Data Structure for 32 Bit Key

Search tree data structures like van Emde Boas (vEB) trees are a theoretically attractive alternative to comparison based search trees because they have better asymptotic performance for small integer keys and large inputs. This paper studies their practicability using 32 bit keys as an example. While direct implementations of vEB-trees cannot compete with good implementations of comparison based data structures, our tuned data structure significantly outperforms comparison based implementations for searching and shows at least comparable performance for insertion and deletion.
Dynamic empirical Bayes models and their applications to longitudinal data analysis and prediction

Empirical Bayes modeling has a long and celebrated history in statistical theory and applications. In particular, in insurance rate-making, linear empirical Bayes models have provided a basic framework for credibility theory. However, evolutionary credibility models, in which the individual risk profiles evolve over time, have not used the empirical Bayes framework but have relied on minimum-variance linear estimation via Kalman filtering. After a brief review of the literature, we propose a new dynamic empirical Bayes modeling approach which provides flexible and computationally efficient methods for the analysis and prediction of longitudinal data from many individuals. This dynamic empirical Bayes approach pools the cross-sectional information over individual time series to replace an inherently complicated hidden Markov model by a considerably simpler generalized linear mixed model. We apply this new approach to evolutionary credibility theory and to the well-known statistical problem of predicting baseball batting averages studied by Efron and Morris and recently by Brown.
Quantitative Detection of Shiga Toxins Directly from Stool Specimens of Patients Associated with an Outbreak of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in Japan—Quantitative Shiga toxin detection from stool during EHEC outbreak

Detection of Shiga toxins (Stx) is important for accurate diagnosis of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli infection. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed Stx protein in nine patients’ stool during an outbreak that occurred in Japan. Highly sensitive immunoassay (bead enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bead-ELISA)) revealed that the concentrations of toxins in stool of patients ranged from 0.71 to 10.44 ng/mL for Stx1 and 2.75 to 51.61 ng/mL for Stx2. To our knowledge, this is the first report that reveals the range of Stx protein concentrations in human stools.
“OUT OF PLACE” IN THE CITY: DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIOSPATIAL DISORDER SENSITIVITY SCALE IN URBAN SETTINGS

The construction and validation of an original scale was pursued to measure individual differences within perception of order violation in the city. It was assumed that socio-spatial order may beviolated by two categories of situations: (a) when in a given place there is a person who is not an expected and desired user of the space or/and (b) when the place is utilized in a manner different than expected. In two studies (N = 696 and N = 74) reliability and construct validity of the scale was assessed. In study 1, principal component analysis as well as confirmatory factor analysis confirmed factorial structure in line with our presumptions. Additionally, sociospatial disorder sensitivity was predicted by bonding social capital (inversely), quality of neigbourhood ties (inversely) and level of city identification. In study 2, Space Intrusion subscale was a predictor of the negative feeling toward the target person behaving according to the definition of SI (unwelcome presence of certain category of people e.g., beggars, homeless), whereas Place Transgression scale was a predictor of the negative emotions toward the person violating norms of behaviors and meanings assigned to a place.
Pain and Body Awareness: Evidence from Brain-Damaged Patients with Delusional Body Ownership

A crucial aspect for the cognitive neuroscience of pain is the interplay between pain perception and body awareness. Here we report a novel neuropsychological condition in which right brain-damaged patients displayed a selective monothematic delusion of body ownership. Specifically, when both their own and the co-experimenter’s left arms were present, these patients claimed that the latter belonged to them. We reasoned that this was an ideal condition to examine whether pain perception can be “referred” to an alien arm subjectively experienced as one’s own. Seventeen patients (11 with, 6 without the delusion), and 10 healthy controls were administered a nociceptive stimulation protocol to assess pain perception. In the OWN condition, participants placed their arms on a table in front of them. In the ALIEN condition, the co-experimenter’s left (or right) arm was placed alongside the participants’ left (or right) arm, respectively. In the OWN condition, left (or right) participants’ hand dorsum were stimulated. In the ALIEN condition, left (or right) co-experimenter’s hand dorsum was stimulated. Participants had to rate the perceived pain on a 0–5 Likert scale (0 = no pain, 5 = maximal imaginable pain). Results showed that healthy controls and patients without delusion gave scores higher than zero only when their own hands were stimulated. On the contrary, patients with delusion gave scores higher than zero both when their own hands (left or right) were stimulated and when the co-experimenter’s left hand was stimulated. Our results show that in pathological conditions, a body part of another person can become so deeply embedded in one’s own somatosensory representation to effect the subjective feeling of pain. More in general, our findings are in line with a growing number of evidence emphasizing the role of the special and unique perceptual status of body ownership in giving rise to the phenomenological experience of pain.
Research on Optimizing Embedding Space Dimension in Network Coordinate System

Network coordinate system provides a method to predict distances between network nodes by geometric space embedding, which can help distributed applications such as P2P and Grid select the best node to transfer data. However, how to select the suitable embedding space dimension is still an open problem. In this paper, firstly we give an experimental study on the relationship between distance prediction accuracy and embedding space dimension, and then discuss the cluster feature of Internet distance, which has an important influence on embedding space dimension selection. Then based on such feature, we propose an embedding space dimension optimization selection algorithm. Analysis result shows that this algorithm can select the best embedding space dimension and landmarks, and provide a mechanism for network coordinate system to implement accurate distance prediction with low system cost.