Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Appl. Entomol. Zool. 41 (2): 339–348 (2006)

Some cry genes from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) have been transferred into rice plants for resistance to lepidopterans. The ecological risks of Bt rice, especially the non-target effects of Bt rice pollen on the domestic silkworm, Bombyx mori Linnaeus in mulberry-rice mixed cropping area should be clarified cautiously. In light of B. mori fully domesticated and not surviving independently in the field, a series of laboratory bioassays were conducted to evaluate the effect of the pollen from an indica transgenic rice line, TT9-3 with a fused cry1Ab/cry1Ac gene on B. mori based on the investigation of rice pollen deposition under normal field conditions and the quantitation of the fused insecticidal protein expression in the pollen. No significant adverse effects were observed on the survival, growth and development of B. mori young larvae, even after the neonates had been exposed to Bt pollen at the highest density of 3,395.0 grains/cm for 48 h which the pollen density is far higher than the highest pollen density on mulberry leaf, 1,635.9 grains/cm, naturally occurred in the field. According to these results and considering the extensive biotic and non-biotic factors such as the type of Bt genes used and expressed in Bt rice line TT9-3 which are safe to B. mori, the relatively low exposure amount of insecticidal protein in the Bt pollen, and other conditions which influence the silkworm’s exposure to Bt pollens, it suggests that the pollen from Bt rice line, TT9-3 poses little effect on silkworm rearing in natural settings.
Designing and Modeling of Logic Circuits Based on Switching of the Gated Oligo-Phenylenevinylene Molecule

Molecular electronics seeks to decrease the cost, power consumption and size of devices, using a variety of approaches. However, few attempts have been made to address circuit simulation. The availability of common semiconductor components means they can be used for modeling and simulating molecular circuits to speed progress in molecular electronics. The present study examines the switching of a gated oligo-phenylenevinylene (OPV) molecule as a NMOS molecular transistor, resistance as an indicator of methyl molecules, and the linking of these abilities using LTspice simulation software. The circuit simulation of molecules of basic logic gates, half-adder, full-adder, and multiplier logic circuits are carried out. The numerical results may shed light on the next applications of molecular systems and make them a good, promising candidate for field-effect transistors.
Deformation of Fluid and Solid Interfaces in Viscous Flow

This dissertation covers a variety of problems in viscous fluid mechanics, with a uniting theme of deformable interfaces. The work is divided into three separate sections exploring three distinct geometries: a liquid film on a rough surface, a liquid bridge between two flexible solids, and a flexible fiber in a confined viscous flow. In the first section, we explore the dynamic of a liquid film on a rough or patterned surface. A liquid-infused surface like this displays many of the same useful properties as conventional gas-cushioned superhydrophobic surfaces. However, liquidinfused surfaces may drain due to an external shear flow, causing the surface to lose its advantageous properties. Using experiments and analytical theory we examine shear-driven drainage of these surfaces, with the goal of understanding and thereby mitigating this failure mode. On patterned surfaces exposed to a known shear stress, we find that a finite length of the surface remains wetted indefinitely, despite the fact that no physical barriers prevent drainage. We then consider the effects of physical barriers, and explore how they modify the drainage of the film. We conclude this section with a study of how drainage can be prevented through the use of chemical patterning, and a brief extension where we propose a new technique for measuring the velocity profile of a thin film flow. In the next section, we consider how a wetting droplet trapped in the thin gap between two elastic bodies will deflect the bodies towards one another. The deformation increases the total capillary adhesion force between the bodies by increasing the contact radius and narrowing the gap height. We present experiments, scalings, and closed-form solutions that describe the deformation. In the final section, we present a mathematical model and corresponding series of microfluidic experiments examining the flow of a viscous fluid past an elastic fibre in a three-dimensional channel. Experiments show that there is a linear relationship between deflection and flow rate for highly confined fibers at low flow rates, which iii inspires an asymptotic treatment of the problem in this regime. The analysis yields insight into the competing effects of flexion and leakage.
Co-Expression of Transforming Growth Factor fi and Interferon z During Pen-Implantation iPeriod in the Ewe

The transforming growth factor f3 (TGFI3) family is known to control cell migration, growth, differentiation, function and regulation of extracellular matrix, all of which are required for the process of implantation. Expression of TGF/3 by the conceptus and endometrium was studied during the period of implantation in the ewe. A total of thirty-four ewes were hysterectomized on day 12, or 20 of pregnancy (day 0 = day of estrus). Conceptus (200 mg wet weight) and endometrial (300 mg wet weight) tissues were cultured in vitro in 7 and 10 ml Eagle's minimal essential medium, respectively. The culture media were subjected to a bioassay to determine concentrations of TGF/3. Conceptus culture media (CCM) were also analyzed for contents of ovine interferon-tau (oIFNi), low molecular weight acidic protein, produced by the trophectoderm between days 8 and 21 of pregnancy. Whole uteri including conceptus(es) and conceptuses (day 16) only were fixed and subjected to immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies. Levels of oIFNr produced by conceptuses were the highest on day 16 at 4.4 μg/ml. Concentrations of TGFJI in day 12, and 20 CCM were 38 ± 19, 102 ± 56, 862 ± 152, 728 ± 191 and 336 ± 106 pg/ml, respectively, and approximately 90% of TGFI3 activity in CCM was due to TGFfJ1 whereas less than 10% was due to TGFI33 based on neutralization with TGFI3 subtype-specific antibodies. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that day 16 conceptuses displayed major staining for TGFfI1, no f32 staining and minor staining for f3. In situ hybridization studies also revealed that day 16 trophectoderm possessed most TGF/31 mRNA while day 14 trophectoderm and day 20 chorion/amnion displayed weaker staining for TGFI31 mRNA. TGFI3 in day 12, and day 20 endometrial culture media was 156 ± 37,129 ± 33, 49 ± 22, 62 ± 23 and 179 ± 40 pg/ml, respectively, and approximately 65% and 35% of the activities were due to TGFfI1 and f2, respectively. These results indicate that TGFf3 production by the conceptus coincides with the time when oIFNr production starts to decline. These observations support the postulate that TGF/3 may play an important role in implantation in the ovine species.
Turning the tide: comparison of tidal flow by periodic sealevel fluctuation and by periodic bed tilting in the Metronome tidal facility

Analogue models or scale experiments of estuaries and short tidal basins are notoriously difficult to create in the laboratory because of the difficulty to obtain currents strong enough to transport sand. Since Osborne Reynolds' experiments over a century ago, experimental tidal flow has been driven by periodic sealevel fluctuations. Recently we discovered a novel method to drive periodic tidal currents: periodically tilting the entire flume. This leads to sediment transport in both the ebb and flood phase which in tidal systems with dynamic channel and shoal patterns. Here we compare the tidal currents driven by sealevel fluctuations with those driven by tilting. We use a bespoke flume of 20 m by 3 m with rough bed: the Metronome. Experiments were run in a straight flume with different tilting periods and with either one or both boundaries open at constant head with free inflow and outflow. Also experiments were run with flow driven by periodic sealevel fluctuations. We recorded surface flow velocity along the flume with Particle Imaging Velocimetry and water levels along the flume. Furthermore we compared the results to a one-dimensional model with shallow flow equations for a rough bed. We found that Reynolds’ method results in negligible flows along the flume except for the first few meters, whereas flume tilting results in nearly uniform, reversing flow velocities along the entire flume that are strong enough to move sand. A periodically tilting flume therefore has the potential to simulate estuaries as observed in a pilot experiment and opens up the possibility of systematic biomorphological experimentation with self-formed estuaries.
Livestock indirectly decrease nest abundance of two shrub-nesting species in Patagonian Monte Desert

Domestic livestock may indirectly affect bird species through changes in vegetation structure (e.g. cover), reducing the availability of food, nesting sites, refugia and, therefore, reproduction in many ecosystems worldwide. However, it remains unclear how the effect of livestock on vegetation structure can influence insectivorous birds that use shrubs for nest construction and placement rather than for feeding. Several species from the Furnariidae family inhabit Monte Desert, Argentina, exhibiting an extraordinary diversity in nest placement and structure that allows them to survive habitat aridity. Nest abundance and size of two common furnariid species, Pseudoseisura gutturalis and Leptasthenura aegithaloides , were studied across a cumulative livestock impact gradient (livestock impact by years grazed). These bird species use large, closed-nests ( , 40 cm and , 100 cm length, respectively) built with thorny branches placed on thorny shrubs. The study encompassed nine independent rangelands within the same habitat, but with increasing livestock density, establishing a gradient in grazing intensity. In each rangeland, nest abundance, nest and supporting plant characteristics, vegetation structure and the percentage of browsing were assessed. Plant cover was lower in rangelands with higher livestock impact, and this was associated with lower nest abundance and nest size. Nest abundance of L. aegithaloides was halved, whereas P. gutturalis was decreased 10-fold comparing the extremes of the livestock impact gradient (0.06 vs 1.63 cattle ha (cid:1) 1 (cid:3) years). Nests tended to be smaller and more spherical with increasing livestock impact. The significant and positive association between nest abundance and vegetation structure together with the importance of mating and reproduction for bird lifecycles suggests that the nest abundance of these species could be used as an indicator of habitat degradation. Therefore, furnariid nest abundance could be used as a first step for diagnosing ecosystem health and designing ecologically sustainable management practices in Monte Desert. Changes in vegetation structure (e.g. cover) such as those imposed by livestock may unpredictably affect plant-associated species affecting their reproduction,
Non-linear dynamics of a whole vehicle FE Model using a Harmonic Balance Method

: The aim of the present paper is to apply the Harmonic Balance Method (HBM) to a Finite Element Model of a complete vehicle (body, engine and engine mounts) in order to calculate the non-linear response of the assembly. The non-linear eﬀects come from the amplitude-dependent stiﬀness of the engine mounts. First, the Harmonic Balance Method is presented. A condensation process on the non-linear degrees-of-freedom is also proposed. This process reduces the original non-linear system by focusing only on the solution of the non-linear equations associated with the system’s non-linear components. Secondly, the engine mount stiﬀness dependency with amplitude is measured on a test bench to estimate a polynomial stiﬀness law. Finally, the numerical analysis is performed to analyze the non-linear response of the whole vehicle using the Harmonic Balance Method algorithm with appropriate condensation located only on the non-linear coordinates of the system in order to minimize computer time.
Numerical Analysis of a Finite Element Method for an Optimal Control of Bidomain-bath Model

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Numerical Analysis of a Finite Element Method for an Optimal Control of Bidomain-bath Model Mostafa Bendahmane, Nagaiah Chamakuri
“#Australia in the morning, #Thailand bymidday, #America in the afternoon” Global mobility in MNC employer branding messages on Facebook

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to generate insights into how multinational companies (MNCs) promote global mobility in their Employer Branding (EB) messages on Facebook. Design/methodology/approach –The authors analyzed 13.340 EBmessages found on the Facebook career pages of 30 major MNCs (10 of each in the US, UK and Germany) drawing on a methodological approach combining Grounded Theory and text-mining. Findings – Building on the perspective of psychological contracts as sensitizing concept, the analysis of the overall sample reveals a range of core themes in EBmessages across all MNCs studied. With regards to global mobility, MNCs emphasize relational, i.e. socio-emotional, contents, particularly, highlighting opportunities of experience and personal development. While global mobility is an overall marginal theme, German MNCs extensively promote global mobility, whereas USand UK-based MNCs do not explicitly make it a subject of their messages. The findings are discussed in the light of institutional theory. Originality/value –Despitemega-trend, little is known about socialmedia EB, especiallywhen it comes to the contents that MNCs communicate to (potential) employees. Applying an innovative methodological approach, the authors offer insights into these contents. Discussing the findings in the light of institutional theory, it is concluded that promoting global mobility in socio-emotional terms seems of high importance to reduce uncertainties associated with living and working abroad. This might help firms to hire internationally mobile employees, especially in countries where job mobility is generally low.
A New Feature Evaluation and Weighting Method Using Three Measurement Hybrid Model and Its Application to Fault Diagnosis of Rolling Element Bearing

Aiming at the issue that the prevailing single measurement based feature evaluation methods merely reflect some aspect of information which would be harmfulto the enhancement of fault diagnostic accuracy for rolling element bearing, this paper develops a new a hybrid feature evaluation and weighting scheme synchronously considering the correlation, distance and information measurements. Firstly, 10 time-domain statistic feature parameters and 5 frequency-domain ones are extracted from the collected vibration signals to construct a multi-domain and multi-class original fault feature set. Secondly, the proposed feature evaluation and weighting scheme is utilized to endow the weighted feature set with more rich and helpful information. Finally, taking the weighted feature set as the input, Least Squares Support Vector Machines (LS-SVM) is employed to implement fault diagnosis of rolling element bearing. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in the improvement of diagnostic accuracy.
Nancy Eason

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the treatment outcomes in children with a mixed diagnoses of dysarthria and childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), secondary to Cerebral Palsy (CP) after the completion of LSVT®LOUD followed by a six-week motor speech treatment. Method: A single case research design was used to examine the speech outcomes in four children (12 to 16 years of age; 3 females) who completed LSVT LOUD, consisting of 16 hours of individual 1-hour treatment sessions within a 4-week time period. After a 12-week maintenance program, these same children underwent intensive motor speech treatment for an additional six-week period, consisting of 18 hours of therapy comprised of 30minute individual sessions followed by 1-hour group sessions, twice per week. Perceptual, intelligibility, and speech acoustic variables were collected and assessed at four different time points: preand post-treatment for both therapy types. In addition, nasalance scores were collected at preand postmotor speech treatment. Results: Three of four participants displayed increased dB SPL at post-LSVT LOUD and 12-weeks follow-up compared to pre-treatment measures. A visual trend illustrated increased percent intelligibility post-LSVT LOUD for all four participants with significantly higher ratings at 12-weeks follow-up. Additional gains in dB SPL, intelligibility, diadokokinetic performance, and vowel space were observed following motor speech treatment. Conclusion: Results indicated positive therapeutic outcomes following both treatment approaches and provides some initial information on the use of sequential treatment approaches in children with motor speech disorders secondary to CP.
COLLAGEN DEAMIDATION IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL BONE AS AN ASSESSMENT FOR RELATIVE DECAY RATES*

Attempts to extend methods for dating archaeological bones beyond that of radiocarbon dating, such as amino acid racemization, have met with limited success owing to the dependence on multiple environmental factors and controls. Despite facing similar challenges, deamidation of glutamine has recently been investigated as a potential indicator of ‘thermal age’ in archaeological bones, as well as a measure of their preservation quality. In this study, we undertook a series of simulated diagenetic experiments to understand the various factors affecting deamidation. Further, we analysed bones from different Middle Palaeolithic layers from Grotte Mandrin (France), with the results suggesting potential use of deamidation for relative dating, but only in case of extremely well-preserved layers. The results also suggested the possible use of attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy as a screening test for soluble collagen before proteomic analysis.
BRNO UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication MASTER'S THESIS

In this thesis, we investigate the task of spatial function estimation from the viewpoint of Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) while accounting for uncertain training positions (uncertain sensor positions, uncertain inputs). We Ąrst present the theory behind GPR with known training positions. The theory is then applied to derive the expressions for the GPR predictive distribution at a test position under training position uncertainty. Because these expressions are intractable, they are evaluated approximately using the Monte Carlo sampling method. This method is demonstrated to improve the prediction performance over the standard usage of GPR not accounting for uncertainty and also compared to a simpliĄed approach present in the literature. We furthermore investigate the possibilities of performing GPR under training position uncertainty while using closed form expressions for prediction reported in the literature. It turns out that signiĄcant approximations are needed to obtain these closed form expressions, which makes the resulting posterior distribution inherently approximate. In fact, the resulting GPR method uses the standard form of GPR for prediction along with a modiĄed expression of the covariance function. A simulation shows that the prediction results of this method are similar to those of standard GPR not accounting for uncertainty. On the other hand, the posterior variance indicating the prediction uncertainty was increased, which is the desired effect of incorporating uncertainty of training positions. ABSTRAKT Tato práce se zabývá úlohou odhadování prostorové funkce z hlediska regrese pomocí Gaussovských procesů (GPR) za současné nejistoty tréninkových pozic (pozic senzorů). Nejdříve je zde popsána teorie v pozadí GPR metody pracující se známými tréninkovými pozicemi. Tato teorie je poté aplikována při odvození výrazů prediktivní distribuce GPR v testovací pozici při uváđení nejistoty tréninkových pozic. Kvůli absenci analytického řeŽení těchto výrazů byly výrazy aproximovány pomocí metody Monte Carlo. U odvozené metody bylo demonstrováno zlepŽení kvality odhadu prostorové funkce oproti standardnímu pouđití GPR metody a také oproti zjednoduŽenému řeŽení uvedenému v literatuře. Dále se práce zabývá mođností pouđití metody GPR s nejistými tréninkovými pozicemi v kombinaci s výrazy s dostupným analytickým řeŽením. Ukazuje se, đe k dosađení těchto výrazů je třeba zavést značné předpoklady, cođ má od počátku za následek nepřesnost prediktivní distribuce. Také se ukazuje, đe výsledná metoda pouđívá standardní výrazy GPR v kombinaci s upravenou kovarianční funkcí. Simulace dokazují, đe tato metoda produkuje velmi podobné odhady jako základní GPR metoda uvađující známé tréninkové pozice. Na druhou stranu prediktivní variance (nejistota odhadu) je u této metody zvýŽena, cođ je đádaný efekt uváđení nejistoty tréninkových pozic.
Fault Diagnostics on Steam Boilers and Forecasting System Based on Hybrid Fuzzy Clustering and Artificial Neural Networks in Early Detection of Chamber Slagging/Fouling

The slagging/fouling due to the accession of fireside deposits on the steam boilers decreases boiler efficiency and availability which leads to unexpected shut-downs. Since it is inevitably associated with the three major factors namely the fuel characteristics, boiler operating conditions and ash behavior, this serious slagging/fouling may be reduced by varying the above three factors. The research develops a generic slagging/fouling prediction tool based on hybrid fuzzy clustering and Artificial Neural Networks (FCANN). The FCANN model presents a good accuracy of 99.85% which makes this model fast in response and easy to be updated with lesser time when compared to single ANN. The comparison between predictions and observations is found to be satisfactory with less input parameters. This should be capable of giving relatively quick responses while being easily implemented for various furnace types.