Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Large-Scale Natural Disturbance Alters Genetic Population Structure of the Sailfin Molly, Poecilia latipinna

Many inferences about contemporary rates of gene flow are based on the assumption that the observed genetic structure among populations is stable. Recent studies have uncovered several cases in which this assumption is tenuous. Most of those studies have focused on the effects that regular environmental fluctuations can have on genetic structure and gene flow patterns. Occasional catastrophic disturbances could also alter either the distribution of habitat or the spatial distribution of organisms in a way that affects population structure. However, evidence of such effects is sparse in the literature because it is difficult to obtain. Hurricanes, in particular, have the potential to exert dramatic effects on population structure of organisms found on islands or coral reefs or in near shore and coastal habitats. Here we draw on a historic genetic data set and new data to suggest that the genetic structure of sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) populations in north Florida was altered dramatically by an unusually large and uncommon type of storm surge associated with Hurricane Dennis in 2005. We compare the spatial pattern of genetic variation in these populations after Hurricane Dennis to the patterns described in an earlier study in this same area. We use comparable genetic data from another region of Florida, collected in the same two periods, to estimate the amount of change expected from typical temporal variation in population structure. The comparative natural history of sailfin mollies in these two regions indicates that the change in population structure produced by the storm surge is not the result of many local extinctions with recolonization from a few refugia but emerged from a pattern of mixing and redistribution.
Solution of Percus's equation for the density of hard rods in an external field.

The theory of a one-dimensional fluid of hard rods has received much attention because it often yields exact results which serve as a guide to understanding the properties of more complicated fluids. Of particular interest recently has been the density distribution of nonuniform fluids in external potentials or between solid walls. The purpose of this paper is to report an explicit solution of the nonlinear integral equation derived by Percus for the density distribution of hard rods.
RayOnPlane: A translation technique minimizing gesture size

In this work, we propose a device-based manipulation technique named RayOnPlane, which maintains the ease of use also in case of increasing work space size. We compare this technique to the state-of-the-art device-based manipulation technique HOMER-S. An experiment incorporating different work space sizes indicates comparable performance in completion time, while minimizing gesture size as well as user frustration and physical strain.
Structural basis for the heterodimeric interaction between the acute leukaemia‐associated transcription factors AML1 and CBFβ

Mutations in the genes encoding the interacting proteins AML1 and CBFβ are the most common genetic abnormalities in acute leukaemia, and congenital mutations in the related AML3 gene are associated with disorders of osteogenesis. Furthermore, the interaction of AML1 with CBFβ is essential for haematopoiesis. We report the 2.6 Å resolution crystal structure of the complex between the AML1 Runt domain and CBFβ, which represents a paradigm for the mode of interaction of this highly conserved family of transcription factors. The structure demonstrates that point mutations associated with cleidocranial dysplasia map to the conserved heterodimer interface, suggesting a role for CBFβ in osteogenesis, and reveals a potential protein interaction platform composed of conserved negatively charged residues on the surface of CBFβ.
Holbrey , Sarah and Coulson , Neil S . ( 2013 ) A qualitative investigation of the impact of peer to peer online support for women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common, chronic condition which affects women living with the condition both physically and psychologically. Social support may be beneficial to sufferers in coping with chronic conditions and the Internet is becoming a common place for accessing social support and information. The aim of this study was to consider the experiences of women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome who access and participate in an online support group discussion forum dedicated to issues surrounding this condition. Methods: Fifty participants responded to a series of open-ended questions via an online survey. Results: Thematic analysis revealed a number of empowering and disempowering experiences associated with online support group participation. The empowering processes reported by members of the group included: Connecting with others who understand; Access to information and advice; Interaction with healthcare professionals; Treatment-related decision making; Improved adjustment and management. In terms disempowering processes, only two were described by group participants: Reading about the negative experiences of others and Feeling like an outsider. Conclusions: For women living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, participation within an online support group may help to empower them in a range of important ways however, there may be some disempowering consequences.
Recording Front-End Systems Analysis

As data rates continue to increase, front-end design techniques and analysis must evolve in order to manage the transmission line effects and the parasitic effects of the transducer, electronics, and electrical interconnect. In addition, the complete write process contains linear and non-linear effects, which requires write signal wave-shaping for optimum performance. Data signal fidelity is maintained by proper termination at the read/write integrated circuit (IC), which is dependent on the read/write transducer's impedance range. For writing, transmission-line termination techniques along with the write-driver electronics are utilized to induce the required overshoot for transitions in the write current waveform. For reading, the key aspects of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and bandwidth are the parasitic components at the read transducer and the input at the read amplifier. The Noise Figure (NF) of the front-end system can be modeled to include the parasitic effects along with the transmission losses of the interconnect. Here, we expound on design techniques and component values for the front-end system.
Sign language image processing for intelligent communication by a communications satellite

A method fo transmitting sign language images by an intelligent communication is proposed. In this method text data is transmitted to synthesize sign language images at the receiving end. Dictionaries for coding and decoding sign language images are developed, and a stick figure model is adopted to draw the sign language images using computer graphics (CG). Joint angles are given, and bending fingers and arms are described by the connecting vectors. Based on the evaluation of the synthesized sign language images evaluated by handicapped persons, surface and solid models are used to display 3-D sign language images, and an animation with controlled hand motion speed is synthesized to improve the understanding of communication by sign language. An experiment using a Japanese communications satellite was conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed communication method. <<ETX>>
Measuring vertical tectonic motion at the intersection of the Santa Cruz-Catalina Ridge and Northern Channel Islands platform, California Continental Borderland, using submerged paleoshorelines

We used submerged paleoshorelines as strain markers to investigate Holocene and late Pleistocene vertical tectonic movement at the intersection of the offshore Santa Cruz–Catalina Ridge with the southern boundary of the Western Transverse Ranges, within the California Continental Borderland. Past submerged shoreline positions were identified using high-resolution multibeam bathymetry, side-scan sonar, submersible observations, and the presence of intertidal and subtidal invertebrate fossils. Numerous accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14 C ages of shells from these paleoshorelines were found to be between ~27,000 yr radiocarbon (RC) and 11,500 yr before present, indicative of shoreline colonization during and following the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), establishing these paleoshorelines as a usable datum for measuring vertical change since this time. Removal of the nontectonic component of vertical change using an ice-volume-equivalent eustatic sea-level compilation indicates between 20 and 45 m of uplift of the eastern part of the Northern Channel Islands block since the LGM lowstand, resulting in an uplift rate of 1.50 ± 0.59 mm/yr over the last 23 k.y. This rate closely matches uplift predicted by published slip rates for the Channel Islands thrust, which underlies the Northern Channel Islands platform. Results from post-LGM shoreline features on Pilgrim Banks are somewhat more ambiguous. Submarine paleoshoreline uplift, together with the extensive upper-crustal fold-thrust style of deformation, illustrates the transpressional interaction of the Borderland and the Western Transverse Ranges blocks where the Santa Cruz–Catalina Ridge and northern Channel Islands intersect.
SVPWM based Multilevel Boost converter for PFC correction

This paper presents a PR controller with SVPWM rectifier with power consider redress (PFC) in view of a modified three-level lift converter topology. In correlation with the ordinary lift based frameworks and other multi-level arrangements the new PFC rectifier has fundamentally littler inductor and lower exchanging misfortunes. The upgrades are accomplished by supplanting the yield capacitor of the lift converter with a nonsymmetric dynamic capacitive divider and by using downstream converter arrange for the divider charge adjusting.
Survivors' experiences of dysphagia-related services following head and neck cancer: implications for clinical practice.

BACKGROUND It is known that people with dysphagia experience a number of negative consequences as a result of their swallowing difficulties following head and neck cancer management (HNC). However their perceptions and experiences of adjusting to dysphagia in the post-treatment phase, and the services received to assist this process, has not been studied. AIMS To explore the lived experience of people with dysphagia following non-surgical treatment for HNC and examine their perceptions of service needs. METHODS & PROCEDURES A demographically diverse group of 24 people who had received radiotherapy for HNC in the past five years, and experienced dysphagia as a result of treatment, were recruited using maximum variation sampling. Each participant took part in a semi-structured, in-depth interview, where they reflected on their adjustment to, and recovery from dysphagia following treatment for HNC, as well as the dysphagia-related services they received during their treatment. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts and to identify key themes that emerged from the data. RESULTS The main integrative theme was the desire for ongoing access to dysphagia-related services in order to adequately manage dysphagia. Within this integrative theme were five additional themes including: (1) entering the unknown: life after treatment for HNC; (2) making practical adjustments to live with dysphagia; (3) making emotional adjustments to live with dysphagia; (4) accessing support outside the hospital services; and (5) perceptions of dysphagia-related services. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS The interviews revealed the need for both greater access to services and a desire for services which address the multitude of issues faced by people with dysphagia following HNC in the post-treatment period. Speech and language therapists managing this caseload need to ensure post-treatment services are available and address not only the physical but also the emotional and psychosocial changes impacting people with dysphagia in order to assist them to adjust to, and live successfully with dysphagia. Further research should be conducted to support the development of innovative services and to highlight dysphagia-related survivorship issues to governing bodies/policy makers.
Associations between childhood maltreatment and non‐medical use of prescription drugs among Chinese adolescents

AIMS To test, among Chinese adolescents: (1) whether childhood maltreatment is associated with non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) and (2) whether there are interaction effects of childhood maltreatment and depressive symptoms on NMUPD. DESIGN A secondary analysis of the cross-sectional data collected from 7th- and 12th-graders who were sampled using a multi-stage, stratified-cluster, random-sampling method in the 2015 School-based Chinese Adolescents Health Survey (SCAHS). SETTING Surveys conducted in high schools in six cities of China in 2015. PARTICIPANTS There were 24 457 students who were invited to participate and 23 039 students' questionnaires were completed and qualified for our survey. MEASUREMENTS The outcomes comprised self-report of NMUPD (prior 30 days); a history of childhood maltreatment was our main predictor. Other covariates included depressive symptoms, smoking, drinking and demographics. Data were analysed using multi-level regression modelling. FINDINGS Our final multivariable logistic regression models demonstrated that after adjusting for other variables, physical abuse was associated positively with non-medical use of opioids [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.10-1.22], sedatives (AOR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.10-1.21) and any prescription drugs (AOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.09-1.20); emotional abuse, sexual abuse and emotional neglect were also associated with an increased risk of opioids, sedatives and any prescription drugs misuse; students who reported that they had experienced childhood physical neglect were more likely to be involved in the non-medical use of sedatives (AOR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.04-1.12) and any prescription drugs (AOR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.03-1.10). Additionally, there was no evidence of interaction effects on NMUPD between depressive symptoms and each of physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect and emotional neglect, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Maltreatment while a child is associated with an increased risk of non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) among Chinese adolescents. The interactions of maltreatment while a child and depressive symptoms do not appear to be associated significantly with NMUPD among Chinese adolescents.
192IGG-saporin-induced selective lesion of cholinergic basal forebrain system: neurochemical effects on cholinergic neurotransmission in rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

A novel cholinergic immunotoxin (conjugate of the monoclonal antibody 192IgG against the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor with the cytotoxin saporin) producing selective lesions of cholinergic neurons in rat basal forebrain was applied to study its effect on hippocampal and cerebral cortical cholinergic neurotransmission. Intracerebroventricular injection of 4 micrograms 192IgG-saporin conjugate resulted in a selective loss of cholinergic cells in the basal forebrain nuclei 1 week after application, which was accompanied by decreased activities of choline acetyltransferase and by reduced high-affinity uptake of [3H]choline into cholinergic nerve terminals in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, as well as by a significant activation of micro- and to a lesser extent of astroglial cells in the hippocampus, but hardly in the cerebral cortex. The K(+)-stimulated release of [3H]acetylcholine from cortical and hippocampal slices of immunolesioned rats was found to be markedly decreased 1 week after injection. Cholinergic immunolesion led to enhanced cortical M1-muscarinic acetylcholine receptor numbers, but did not alter muscarinic receptor sensitivity as measured by carbachol-stimulated inositol phosphate production or phorbol ester binding to membrane-bound protein kinase C. In the hippocampal formation differential enhancements in binding levels of M1-muscarinic cholinergic receptor sites in the CA1 region and in the dentate gyrus were observed, whereas the nicotinic and M2-muscarinic receptor subtype are seemingly not affected by the immunotoxin in either of the subfields studied. Cholinergic immunolesioning did not result in any alterations in the hybridization signals for m1 through m4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor mRNA in any region or layer of the hippocampus. The data suggest that (i) the novel cholinergic immunotoxin 192IgG-saporin is an appropriate tool to mimic cholinergic hypofunction in the hippocampal formation and cerebral cortex, and (ii) selective and specific immunolesion of cholinergic cells in medial septal nuclei differentially affects cholinergic receptors in particular hippocampal subfields.
The JNK-interacting Protein-1 Scaffold Protein Targets MAPK Phosphatase-7 to Dephosphorylate JNK*

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) group of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are activated by pleiotropic signals including environmental stresses, growth factors, and hormones. A subset of JNK can bind to distinct scaffold proteins that also bind upstream kinases of the JNK pathway, allowing sequential kinase activation within a signaling module. The JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1) scaffold protein specifically binds JNK, MAP kinase kinase 7, and members of the MLK family and is essential for stress-mediated JNK activation in neurones. Here we report that JIP-1 also binds the dual-specificity phosphatases MKP7 and M3/6 via a region independent of its JNK binding domain. The C-terminal region of MKP7, homologous to that of M3/6 but not other DSPs, is required for interaction with JIP-1. When MKP7 is bound to JIP-1 it reduces JNK activation leading to reduced phosphorylation of the JNK target c-Jun. These results indicate that the JIP-1 scaffold protein modulates JNK signaling via association with both protein kinases and protein phosphatases that target JNK.
Preparation of an Unconstrained Vietnamese Online Handwriting Database and Recognition Experiments by Recurrent Neural Networks

This paper presents our attempts to collect and analyze unconstrained Vietnamese online handwriting text patterns by pen-based computers. Totally, our database contains over 120,000 strokes from more than 140,000 characters, which is one of the largest Vietnamese online handwriting pattern databases currently. For building and analyzing our database, we made a collection tool, a line segmentation tool, and a delayed stroke detection tool. Moreover, we investigated some statistical information from personal information of writers. In order to solve the unconstrained handwriting recognition problem, we conducted experiments using Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BLSTM) networks. BLSTM network is architecture of Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) and applied recently for many related problems. The performance of BLSTM network on our database is nearly 80% of accuracy even though this database contains many delayed strokes. In near future, we are going to avail our database for research purposes, as it would be the fundamental for the handwriting recognition research.
A 2-D KLM Model for Disk-Shape Piezoelectric Transducers

Piezoelectric materials are widely used for many applications such as sensors, actuators. Today, their integration in microelectronics processes like CMOS requires the development of advanced realistic behavioral models. Until now, these models were limited to only one ceramic's operation mode, i.e., thickness or planar. Moreover, the robustness of piezo-electronic systems cannot be adequately addressed as long as models are not improved in particular by taking into account further real phenomena. This article proposes to merge, in a new KLM model, the two operation modes. It is demonstrated that the behavior of the proposed model is in very good agreement with the real ceramic behavior.
Extracting Incomplete Planning Action Models from Unstructured Social Media Data to Support Decision Making

Despite increasing interest in leveraging the wealth of online social media data to support data-based decision making, much work in this direction has focused on tasks with straightforward “labeling” decisions. A much richer class of tasks can benefit from the power of sequential decision making. However, supporting such tasks requires learning some form of action or decision models from unstructured data – a problem that had not received much attention. This paper leverages and extends machine learning techniques to learn decision models (incomplete action models) for planning from unstructured social media data. We provide evaluations showing the potential of unstructured data to build incomplete planning action models, which can further be extended to build PDDL-style action models for many real-world domains. Our models can be used to support novel quantitative analysis of online behaviors that can indirectly explain the offline behaviors of social media users.
Drawing Style Capture for Cartoon Rendering

This paper proposes a method for capturing the drawing style of cartoon from the original comic book. Given a concept drawing image of the specific comic book, our approach recovers not only the color scheme, but also the color ratio. The main technical contribution of this paper is a shading model capture and a stylized cartoon rendering. For the shading model capture, we collect RGB statistics from the original drawing and sort the RGB data using its frequency and extract the shading model using dynamic threshold. We also propose the stylized cartoon rendering to represent 3d object using 2D texture according to the original cartoon style. We show on various cartoons that our approach can capture the drawing styles even in the case of rapid color changes and wide color schemes.
Additivity of adrenaline and contractions on hormone-sensitive lipase, but not on glycogen phosphorylase, in rat muscle.

AIM Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) has been proposed to regulate triacylglycerol (TG) breakdown in skeletal muscle. In muscles with different fibre type compositions the influence on HSL of two major stimuli causing TG mobilization was studied. METHODS Incubated soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from 70 g rats were stimulated by adrenaline (5.5 microm, 6 min) or contractions (200 ms tetani, 1 Hz, 1 min) in maximally effective doses or by both adrenaline and contractions. RESULTS Hormone-sensitive lipase activity was increased significantly by adrenaline as well as contractions, and the highest activity (P < 0.05) was seen with combined stimulation [Soleus: 0.40 +/- 0.03 (SE) m-unit mg protein(-1) (basal), 0.65 +/- 0.02 (adrenaline), 0.65 +/- 0.03 (contractions), 0.78 +/- 0.03 (adrenaline and contractions); EDL: 0.18 +/- 0.01, 0.30 +/- 0.02, 0.26 +/- 0.02, 0.32 +/- 0.01]. Glycogen phosphorylase activity was always increased more by adrenaline compared with contractions [Soleus: 60 +/- 4 (a/a + b)% vs. 46 +/- 3 (P < 0.05); EDL: 60 +/- 5 vs. 39 +/- 6 (P < 0.05)]. After combined stimulation glycogen phosphorylase activity in soleus [59 +/- 3 (a/a + b)%] was identical to and in EDL [45 +/- 4 (a/a + b)%] smaller (P < 0.05) than the activity after adrenaline only. CONCLUSIONS In slow-twitch oxidative as well as in fast-twitch glycolytic muscle HSL is activated by both adrenaline and contractions. These stimuli are partially additive indicating at least partly different mechanisms of action. Contractions may impair the enhancing effect of adrenaline on glycogen phosphorylase activity in muscle.